Ben Marcus's books The Age of Wire and String and Notable American Women were considered "experimental" fiction because of his unconventional use of...
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"A brief, rhythmic text printed in different styles and varied with playful onomatopoeia recalls the humor and cadences of a great jazz musician....The equally evocative art is rendered in rough charcoal with watercolors added. Like Polacco, Raschka uses a vigorous line and angular perspectives to give his figures extraordinary energy." Kirkus Reviews
Review:
"Raschka has created a memorable tribute to jazz great Charlie Parker in this rhymic, syncopated, compelling, funny celebration of a man and a musical form. The brief text sings and swings and skips along, practically of its own volition, while the pictures add humor and just the right amount of jazziness to the mix. One of the most innovative picture books of recent times." Horn Book
Review:
"Regardless of whether they've heard of jazz or Charlie Parker, young readers will bop to the pulsating beat of this sassy picture book....Even the typeface joins in the fun, as italics and boldface strut and swing across the pages. Those in the know will enjoy the inside jokes (the pages, for example, are decorated with birds, after Parker's nickname); young and old alike will find this a read-aloud that's hard to resist. And that's no jive. Ages 3-6." Publishers Weekly
lisaaannburns, February 5, 2007 (view all comments by lisaaannburns)
This is a great book to read rhythmically and help students feel the steady beat and the syncopated rhythm in jazz. When reading it to children, speak it rhythmically and have the children echo speak it back. Eventually, you can speak it together. If you'd like to go a step further, you can pair it with a recording of "A Night in Tunisia". I'm a music teacher and my kids love it! When reading it with the music, wait until you hear the saxophone come in and read the first two pages 2 times in a row (Charlier Parker played be bop. Charlier Parker played saxophone. The music sounded like be bop. Never leave your cat alone. Charlier Parker played be bop. Charlier Parker played saxophone. The music sounded like be bop. Never leave your cat alone.) Then read the rest of the book in order. It's great paired with rhythm sticks as well!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No (13 of 17 readers found this comment helpful)
"Review"
by Kirkus Reviews,
"A brief, rhythmic text printed in different styles and varied with playful onomatopoeia recalls the humor and cadences of a great jazz musician....The equally evocative art is rendered in rough charcoal with watercolors added. Like Polacco, Raschka uses a vigorous line and angular perspectives to give his figures extraordinary energy."
"Review"
by Horn Book,
"Raschka has created a memorable tribute to jazz great Charlie Parker in this rhymic, syncopated, compelling, funny celebration of a man and a musical form. The brief text sings and swings and skips along, practically of its own volition, while the pictures add humor and just the right amount of jazziness to the mix. One of the most innovative picture books of recent times."
"Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"Regardless of whether they've heard of jazz or Charlie Parker, young readers will bop to the pulsating beat of this sassy picture book....Even the typeface joins in the fun, as italics and boldface strut and swing across the pages. Those in the know will enjoy the inside jokes (the pages, for example, are decorated with birds, after Parker's nickname); young and old alike will find this a read-aloud that's hard to resist. And that's no jive. Ages 3-6."
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