Before John was a Jazz Giant: a Story of John Coltrane written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Sean Qualls. Henry Holt and Company, 2008. ISBN 978-0-8050-7994-4
Summary: John Coltrane was a star in the world of jazz for his abilities on the saxophone, but growing up in the South in the 1930's, John was just a child listening to the sounds around him. From natural sounds like the singing of birds, to musical sounds like his father playing the ukulele, and his mother playing their gramophone, John took it all in. At church he heard hymns and preaching, and outside he heard the whistle of steam trains and the music and marching of parades.
The saxophone solos on the radio called to John, and when he picked up a horn and blew into it, all of the sounds he had heard melded together into his own signature style of music. John grew up to become an incredibly talented musician, and Weatherford's picture book biography of Coltrane provides a window into his early influences.
The Author's Note provides an in-depth account of Coltrane's life, from his childhood in North Carolina, to his time in the Navy, and highlights from his lengthy musical career. Suggested recordings are included, to allow young readers to hear Coltrane's music for themselves. Additionally, items for further reading are recommended to expand a child's understanding of John's life.
Critical Evaluation: The narrative text, illustrations, and information included in the author's note and biographical references combine to provide a complete portrait of one of our nation's greatest saxophonists. The narrative includes simple repetition, rhythmic phrasing, and a focus on the auditory qualities of everyday life. The illustrations are primitive in style, but are full of movement, and representative of life for African Americans in the South of the 1930's.
The palette is restrained, mostly blues, grays, blacks, oranges, and pinks, which may be a result of the illustrator not wanting the visual aspect of the story to compete with the focus on the sounds Coltrane heard and played. Each spread includes ribbon-like clouds of sound, as well as bubbles and circles to represent what John was hearing.
With mentions of popular culture of the era, such as Bojangles and Jitterbuggers, the author and illustrator have provided just enough detail through context and imagery to pique the interest of curious children who may want to find out more. This picture book biography has been well-researched, and invites the reader to explore the early days of jazz culture through both sound recordings and further reading.
Age or Interest Level: Ages 4 to 8
Lexile Level: 1090L
Awards: 2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book; 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Why Included? This is a wonderful picture biography of a jazz legend. The rhythmic text and the movement in the illustrations almost form a musical statement themselves, and made me want to go put some jazz on the radio.