Author:
Andrea Davis Pinkney, J. Brian Pinkney (Illustrator), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)

Number of pages:
32

Does the book have pictures?
Yes

What age group is this book written for?
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Category:
Biography

Brief summary:
Duke Ellington was a "smooth-talkin', slick-steppin', piano-playin' kid" in the early 20th century. This biography for early readers shows Ellington teaching himself to play piano, and developing into a master composer of early jazz, then putting together his famous orchestra in Harlem, New York.

The text is very musical and rhythmic, and the illustrations, done by the husband of the author, are gorgeous swirls and waves of color. This book, which received a 1999 Caldecott Honor as an outstanding American picture book for children, would make a fine introduction for children to experience jazz and understand the huge influence Ellington had on popular music, and how much of what they may have heard was originally composed and performed by the man himself.