Once Upon a Time in Chicago [Hardcover]

Jonah Winter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2000 | Grade Level: P and up

Legendary jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman`s life is a classic AmericanCinderella story. Born into a large family (12 kids! ) Of poor Jewish immigrants,Benny was given his first clarinet in fourth grade. His sweet, supportivefather, David, hoped that young Benny and his siblings could make a better lifefor themselves than their parents had. Quiet Benny liked playing his clarinetmore than he liked talking. It wasn`t long before he was playing music innightclubs with grown men, astounding audiences with his hot, beautiful jazzsounds. Benny`s father`s dream for his son paid off--but sadly, not before Davidwas tragically killed. Benny poured his grief into his music; as a result, the" King of Swing" is still heard around the world in dozens of recordings from the1930s to the 1980s. Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter have created a lively tribute to one ofAmerica`s true musical greats. Jonah Winter writes in short, clean sentences,telling Goodman`s story with respect and quiet humor. Jeanette Winter`s colorfulearly-American style illustrations charmingly reflect the era that produced thisbrilliant musician. The mother-son team has also written a wonderful biographyabout artist Diego Rivera, called Diego. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Legendary jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman's life is a classic American Cinderella story. Born into a large family (12 kids!) of poor Jewish immigrants, Benny was given his first clarinet in fourth grade. His sweet, supportive father, David, hoped that young Benny and his siblings could make a better life for themselves than their parents had. Quiet Benny liked playing his clarinet more than he liked talking. It wasn't long before he was playing music in nightclubs with grown men, astounding audiences with his hot, beautiful jazz sounds. Benny's father's dream for his son paid off--but sadly, not before David was tragically killed. Benny poured his grief into his music; as a result, the "King of Swing" is still heard around the world in dozens of recordings from the 1930s to the 1980s.

Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter have created a lively tribute to one of America's true musical greats. Jonah Winter writes in short, clean sentences, telling Goodman's story with respect and quiet humor. Jeanette Winter's colorful early-American style illustrations charmingly reflect the era that produced this brilliant musician. The mother-son team has also written a wonderful biography about artist Diego Rivera, called Diego. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (July 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786804629
• ISBN-13: 978-0786804627
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,694,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It tickled my licorice stick, November 13, 2000

By 

Mark E. Morelli (Cuyahoga Falls, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once Upon a Time in Chicago (Hardcover)

I bought this for my 8 year old niece. She is learning the clarinet and enjoying swing music both old and new. In fact, when she heard Goodman's trademark signoff song, "Goodbye" she nearly choked up with emotion.

"That's so sad," she said. "That's so beautiful."

And she loved the book. Mr. Winter's terse prose provides depth for young readers. And the illustrations are pure Jeannette Winter - whose work I have often seen and which has never disappointed.

Children need not be musicians to enjoy this. If you want them exposed to the best of 20th-century pop culture (and one of today's best juvenile writers,) get this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight, April 19, 2010

By 

Bob Silverstein (Schaumburg, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once Upon a Time in Chicago (Hardcover)

This book is a shear delight for kids. I bought it over a year ago when my grandkids were three, four and five and have now read it many times to them. Although the specifics of the book, Benny Goodman, Chicago, jazz, a century ago, are abstractions, the kids are magically enthralled with the story.

The illustrations are wonderful and bring the story to life. One little cool detail. One picture shows Benny practicing. One of the books on the music stand is the famous H. Klose method book. I used the same book as a kid.

My oldest granddaughter now plays the clarinet and listens to BG. And still likes to hear this story. Thank you, the Winter's.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Picturebook coverage of Goodman's evolution as a player, May 27, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Upon a Time in Chicago (Hardcover)

Jonah Winter's Once Upon A Time In Chicago (0-7868-2404-2) covers the life of musician Benny Goodman. Jeanette Winter provides the color drawings for a picturebook coverage of jazz music history in general and Goodman's evolution as a player in particular.