About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels discouraged by a new hobby or believes they lack natural talent. It is the perfect remedy for the 'I'm not good at this' blues, showing how a young boy who initially hated piano lessons grew up to become a world-renowned composer. Through rhythmic prose and vibrant illustrations, the story follows Duke Ellington from the baseball diamond to the grand stages of Harlem. It celebrates the power of persistence and the beauty of finding one's unique voice. Parents will appreciate how it frames music as a colorful, living language, making it an excellent choice for building confidence and cultural appreciation in children ages 4 to 9.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is a celebratory, secular biography. The book takes place during a time of intense segregation, which affected where Ellington could perform and who could attend his shows. While the narrative focuses on his artistic triumph and innovation, the setting of the Cotton Club, which had a segregated audience policy, subtly implies the historical context of the era.
