Review on the Poetry Book, JAZZ. by Myers, Walk Dean. Illustrated by: Christopher Myers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Myers, Walk Dean.  2006. JAZZ. Ill. by: Christopher Myers. New York: Walter House. ISBN 978-0-8234-1545-8

PLOT SUMMARY

The picture book with rhyming text across 14 poems celebrates the different styles of music called jazz. The collection of poems along with the illustrations showcase the variety of instruments and characters with history and evolution of jazz in each poem. An introduction and glossary of jazz terms give background and meaning to the poems.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The rhythm in the narration of the poems sounds like beats to a song. The illustrations of black ink and acrylic make the poems come to life with their vibrant colors and unique design arrangement. Jazz, the first poem, introduces the reader to what makes up this musical genre. Louie, Louie, How you play so sweet? 's matching sounds appeals to the joyful twist he gives to the music he learned down in New Orleans. Not every poem is playful as we feel the impact of emotion in Good-Bye to old Bob Johnson. “While a sad horn sounds a last good-bye” personifies and captures the moment of parting to Old Bob Johnson, which then is celebrated with “a jazzy lullaby” in a surprising choice of words as they celebrate his parting with figurative language in trumpet sounds that climb “along the road to heaven in 4/4 time.” 

The words and phrases are arranged in meaningful ways as we see throughout, but in Trenty-Finger Jack  the music in the onomatopoeia of the “Be ba boodie, be ba boodie, boo” show the style of the music to the poem and the dancing feel it gives compared to the blues. In Blue Creeps In, the image of a lonely man walks through the reader's mind with the mental picture of the blues guiding his lonesome walk, his reminiscing moments, and his feeling of longing for his significant other, who is illustrated on the page. Showing her feelings against a blue background setting the tone for this poem. 

The variety of poems include a variety of style, tone, and are unique to their own rhyme and rhythm. Font and hand-written pieces give the lines and phrases a unique and meaningful design. Reading these poems aloud to children will have a greater impact on the expressive and descriptive elements to appreciate the rich history of jazz and the important musicians of this genre.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)/ Awards

*ALA Notable Children’s Books, 2007

*Booklist Starred, 09/01/06

*Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 02/01/07

*Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, 2007

*Horn Book Magazine starred, 04/01/07

*Kirkus Reviews starred, 09/01/06

*Odyssey Award, 2008

*School Library Journal, 09/01/06

Booklist Starred, (September 1, 2006 (Vol. 103, No. 1)): “The poems parallel significant stages in the development of jazz, but the historical connection is only tangential; the draw of the poems, as with the music, is rhythm, and Myers captures the rolling cadences of early New Orleans jazz…”

Horn Book Magazine Starred (Spring 2007): “In this extended jam session, historical moments, great jazz musicians, and the various forms and instruments of the genre each take a turn on stage.”

Kirkus Reviews starred (September 1, 2006): “A script-like display type appears sparingly, guiding readers to the sound of jazz embedded in the pems’ syncopated rhythms.”

CONNECTIONS

-I believe this book was difficult to read at times. I had to re-read several poems multiple times to understand its rhyme and rhythm. I referred to the glossary many times, especially the “Be-Bop” term. This really helped me understand how to read the poems. I could imagine it would be difficult for a student to read on their own. Listening to the audiobook would definitely help. 

-Reading this picture book of poems out loud to young students will definitely create a meaningful experience and inviting them to create their own poem with musical rhythms can be challenging yet rewarding. 

-This picture book lends itself to a music lesson where students can mimic the jazz style with instruments or their own “BE BOP” style of music. 

Other books about music:

*Hill, Laban Carrick. WHEN THE BEAT WAS BORN: DJ KOOL HERC AND THE CREATION OF HIP HOP. ISBN 978-1-59643-540-7

*Singer, Marilyn. FEEL THE BEAT: DANCE POEMS THAT ZING FROM SALSA TO SWING. ISBN 978-0-8037-4021-1

*Allen, Jimmie. MY VOICE IS A TRUMPET. ISBN 978-0-593-35218-2

*Richards, Mary Agnes. A HISTORY OF MUSIC FOR CHILDREN. ISBN 978-0-500-65247-3