Dizzy

Dizzy by Jonah Winter (Author), Sean Qualls (Illustrator); Arthur A. Levine Books, Oct. 2006

Ages 4-8

Winter tells the story of Dizzy Gillespie, the trumpet great. Beaten regularly by his father, the young Gillespie found escape in a trumpet given to him by his music teacher. He went on to become a crowd-pleasing performer, loving jazz because it was like breaking the rules. Later, in New York, he began playing his own music. He called it Bebop. Winter's writing bring's Dizzy's music to life and Qualls' paintings make you feel as though you're right in the heart of a jazz nightclub.

I've always been a big fan of music, so I chose this book to learn more about the life and the music of Dizzy. I think this book would be suited for a child interested in music, as the interesting life of Dizzy will give readers the motivation to be different and persevere. I, especially, found it interesting that the very thing that had gotten Dizzy into so much trouble (being a clown and breaking the rules) was the thing that made him a star. Winter does a good job of explaining jazz for a young audience, and, hopefully, children will want to hear the cool sounds of jazz and Dizzy on their own.


Don't forget to check out Anastasia Suen's Picture Book of the Day blog for the Nonfiction Monday round-up.