Grab your porkpie hat and groove to the swinging artwork and syncopated text of this introduction to nine of the hottest jazz artists of all time.

Join young Henry at the Body & Soul Cafe and enter a world of hipsters, flipsters, and finger-poppin' daddies--where to jump is to jive and to bop is to be Some of the greatest names in jazz are about to hit the scene, ready to blow those blues away. Meet Jelly Roll Morton, Django Reinhardt, Walter Page, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Billie Holliday, Charlie Parker, and Duke Ellington, all on one stage for a night you'll never forget. Jonny Hannah has created a one-night special of red-hot rhymes and bold poster-style art that captures the rhythms and feel of jazz for newcomers and fans alike. Musicians' biographies at the end offer suggested listening for savoring the true flavor of each cat's style.

"In this upbeat poetic homage to the jazz era, Hannah's debut, Henry, 'the boy who cleans this joint,' leads readers on a sensory tour of the happening Body & Soul caf. Full-bleed spreads and font-changing lyrics introduce the self-proclaimed inventor of jazz, Jelly Roll Morton, at the piano, guitarist Django Reinhardt, a blue-hued Billie Holiday with voice raised in song, and Charlie Bird Parker coaxing tunes from his sax — among others. The text exudes the be-bop sounds of the music. For example, the vertical center spread depicts Gene Krupa on drums and Benny Goodman on his clarinet (Goodman's name curves along the top of the page like flashing lights) while, below, the text appears in alternating bands of red, white and blue: 'boys and girls!/ ba-dum-de-dum-dum/ geeks and groovers!/ boom-da-boom-tschh.' While some may find the pages busy, others will discover a feast for the eyes. Hannah incorporates symbols into the backgrounds for each personality: for Louis Armstrong and his famous cornet, a Louisiana showboat and a pot of gumbo. One spread is devoted to attire, including loafers, a beret, straw [hat] and zoot suit ('It's good to take five and check the threads on jazz street'). Two pages of brief biographies and specific recommended songs plus the text of the entire poem close out this zippy overview of the jazz age, and the dust jacket itself opens up as a poster advertisement: 'Playing tonight at Body & Soul... Duke Ellington and his Hot 8.' Ages 6-10." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

This one-night special of red-hot rhymes and bold poster-style art introduces youngsters to nine of the hottest jazz artists of all time, including Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie "Bird" Parker, and Billie Holliday. The jacket unfolds to reveal a poster.