Nicky the Jazz Cat [Hardcover]

Carol Friedman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

“I’ve worked with the best cats around, and Nicky is one of a kind. This sweet and soulful jazz cat followed his dream and came out a winner. I love him and so will the kids!”
—Quincy Jones

“Nicky the Jazz Cat teaches young people about humor, improvisation, and individuality. His swinging adventures with his special jazz friends will inspire and delight children as they learn. Nicky is one cool cat!”
—Wynton Marsalis

When a jazz-loving kitten named Nicky meets a legendary trumpet player, he learns how to play jazz and word travels fast—soon all the top musicians hear about this jazz cat and want to play with him. This charming story is illustrated with photographs of Nicky with jazz greats Roy Eldridge, Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, Quincy Jones, Abbey Lincoln, and Gerry Mulligan as they meet and make friends. The colorful graphics and rhyming text—call and response conversation between Nicky and his new musician friends—reflect the humor, rhythm, and spirit of jazz itself. Nicky the Jazz Cat teaches children about the magic of jazz, the value of friends and mentors, and the power of imagination and originality. Children and adults alike will delight in his journey from curious jazz kitten to acclaimed jazz cat.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nicky teaches young people about humor, individuality, improvisation and the joy of jazz --Nicky is one cool cat!" -- Wynton Marsalis musician, composer

"This sweet and soulful jazz cat is one of a kind! I love him and so will the kids" -- Quincy Jones producer, producer, musician

From the Publisher

Children and adults alike are invited to embark on a jazz journey with Nicky the Jazz Cat. This charming story introduces children to jazz through the eyes and ears of Nicky, a cool feline friend who has had the unique pleasure of knowing some of the world's most celebrated jazz legends. Nicky's fun-filled jazz adventure will be a new children's favorite and a great gift for music and animal fans of all ages.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: powerHouse Books (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576872483
• ISBN-13: 978-1576872482
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.4 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Such a Great Idea for a Book, December 23, 2003

By 

Spinspin (Big Apple USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nicky the Jazz Cat (Hardcover)

Nicky is a cat-- a fashionably all-black feline. In this book he's rhyming his way through encounters with several jazz musicians. The text is fun, the book is beautiful, and the pictures are very, very cool. The Lena Horne shot is my favorite-- she is gazing elegantly down at Nicky. The author has had a lifetime career of photographing Jazz musicians, and the Nicky pictures are my favorite. If only I can keep the baby from drooling on it until he's big enough to appreciate it!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diz Kool Kat gits around!, February 29, 2004

By 

Matteo Bevilacqua (Rockville Centre, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nicky the Jazz Cat (Hardcover)

A wonderful photo-filled rhyme story of this lucky cat Nicky and his cast of jazz music's greatest performers. I bought the book and CD, "Nicky's jazz for Kids" for my two young sons. They loved reading/singing the story and then they jammed along with the CD on their own instruments. This is a great opportunity for parents to get their kids turned onto jazz before they take them to see Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center. It really helps Jazz to be fun for kids to enjoy!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He's one hep cat, September 5, 2004

By 

Mary C. Woods "sara's mom" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nicky the Jazz Cat (Hardcover)

This book and its companion CD, "Nicky's Jazz for Kids" make a perfect gift for anyone who loves jazz, loves cats, or loves cats and jazz. My 5 y.o. daughter enjoys reading the book to us and equally loves hearing the great tunes on the CD. It's a welcome change from the standard saccharine children's music. Splurge on both items--Nicky won't disappoint!