This Jazz Man

This Jazz Man adapts the classic children's song "This Old Man" into a counting book that introduces nine jazz legends. The text follows a rhythmic pattern while incorporating scat singing and sound effects that capture the essence of jazz music. Each spread features a different musician depicted in R.G. Roth's vibrant mixed-media illustrations. The book includes brief biographies of the featured artists at the end, providing historical context about their contributions to jazz. Through music, movement, and counting, the book creates connections between basic childhood learning concepts and jazz history. The fusion of educational elements with jazz culture offers an entry point for young readers to explore this American art form.

Readers appreciate this book as a fun introduction to jazz legends for young children. Parents and teachers note that the rhythm and cadence make it engaging to read aloud, with many mentioning their kids join in counting and making sounds. Multiple reviews highlight how it builds on the familiar "This Old Man" song structure. The illustrations receive consistent praise for capturing the personalities of each musician, though some readers note the stylized art may not help children recognize the real historical figures. Several teachers comment that it works well for music education and Black History Month units, with the biographical notes providing good background for older students. Main criticism focuses on the book being too short and wanting more musicians included. Ratings: Amazon: 4.8/5 (239 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (505 ratings) "Perfect for storytime - the kids love making all the sounds," writes one kindergarten teacher on Amazon. "My 2-year-old requests this nightly," notes a parent reviewer.

Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka The rhythmic text mirrors Parker's bebop style while introducing children to the legendary musician's sound.

Hip Cat by Jonathan London A saxophone-playing cat leads readers through the streets of New Orleans while demonstrating jazz culture and musical concepts.

Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora A young boy in 1920s Harlem learns to play trumpet through observation and dedication at the local jazz club.

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa by Andrea Davis Pinkney A cat narrator tells the story of Ella Fitzgerald's rise from street performer to First Lady of Song.

Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler The text follows a musical pattern as a baby and family members create their own jazz-inspired sounds throughout the day.

🎷 The book pays tribute to nine jazz legends, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Charlie Parker, by adapting them into the classic children's song "This Old Man." 🎺 Illustrator R.G. Roth won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award for his vibrant watercolor illustrations in this book. 🎵 Each jazz musician in the book is represented by their signature sound written in playful onomatopoeia, like "BOO-WAH" for trombonist J.J. Johnson. 🎹 Author Karen Ehrhardt created the book after noticing how her young son responded to jazz music with natural rhythm and movement. 🎼 The book includes a glossary explaining jazz terms and brief biographies of each featured musician, making it both entertaining and educational for young readers.