Jazz Baby [Hardcover]

Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), Laura Freeman (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Millions of children have put their hands together and recited the rhyme that begins “Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man.” But what if the baker’s man were a bebopper? A celebration of music and movement, this story in verse is inspired by the riffs, rhythms, and freedom of jazz. Colorful illustrations show children playing drums, piano, horn, and bass as they swing, sway, and jitterbug to the music.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reSchool-Energetic, ethnically diverse children cavort through this bouncy celebration of rhythm and music, set to the lively beat of a patty-cake rhyme, beginning with the words "Jazz baby, jazz baby." Each spread celebrates an aspect of jazz-trumpet, dance, drums, bass, piano-and the illustrations burst off the full-bleed pages. Reminiscent of pastel chalk but rendered digitally, the art depicts round-faced, slightly stylized youngsters playing the instruments or dancing against a free-form background of rainbow colors and notes. Although the figures are somewhat static, the setting helps to create a sense of movement and energy. In the satisfying conclusion, the children rest sleepily against one another at the end of their romp. Team this book with Lloyd Moss's Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin (S & S, 1995), Thacher Hurd's Mama Don't Allow (HarperCollins, 1984), and Elizabeth Nygaard's Snake Alley Band (Doubleday, 1998) for a lively celebration that toddlers will dance for.
Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584300396
• ISBN-13: 978-1584300397
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,352,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, catchy book, October 28, 2008

By 

Angela Lefere - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz Baby (Paperback)

My 22 month old daughter loves this book! She'll ask for it randomly throughout the day and loves pointing out things in the pictures, such as "holding hands", "dancing" and "drum". She also imitates what the kids are doing in the picture. It's a book that you can't just read- it's got a rhythm that makes it impossible to not sing and dance as you're "reading" it w/ your child. Pictures are great, too! Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars From the author, May 20, 2005

By 

Carole B. Weatherford - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz Baby (Hardcover)

When I wrote this swinging nursery rhyme, I set out to write a jazz pat-a-cake. And I hear the diaper and toddler find the rhythm infectious. Some parents tell me their children ask to read the book every day and even sleep with the it. Happy dancing and pleasant dreams!

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Favorite, June 29, 2003

By 

Lisa Nguyen "Lisa" (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jazz Baby (Hardcover)

I bought this book for our now-22 month old daughter over a year ago because music was always an important part of my life and I our daughter to appreciate music as well. The moment we opened to the first page, it became one of her favorite books. As I would read it to her in the beginning I would do motions with the book -- to "Pound your drum" I would pat her tummy, to "Bounce and Boogie" I would bounce her up and down, etc. Soon she was doing the motions for the following page before I could even get the page turned. She LOVES this book, and I have always had fun reading it to her as well. The rhythms of the book are wonderful; you'll feel like you're singing a song with your child every time you read it. I highly recommend it!