Matthew Gollub

“Choo-ka Choo-ka ting,” the Jazz Fly’s back!
He’s in the rainforest, selva, so it’s time to pack.

But ¡Ay, caramba! - the Bug Band’s swing
just doesn't make las termitas sing.

So add Spanish words, a Latino beat.
Then those bugs start groovin’ in the southern heat,

proving jazz and Latin are a hoppin’ mix.
(Made all the better with Karen Hanke’s pix)

Let Matthew Gollub do the reading with the book’s CD.
Kids will love it. Es bueno. Check it out. You’ll show more see.
www.shelf-employed.blogspot.com show less

I thought this book was absolutely adorable! Not only is it very creative and illustrative, it also teaches children Spanish and jazz music. Having 7 years of Spanish study under my belt, I can certainly appreciate the bilingual tone that resonated throughout the book. I also happen to be a fan of jazz music, so this was right up my alley. Even though I'm a college student, I found this to be an excellent book for children.

I really enjoyed this Mexican folktale. When no one wanted to help the homeless kittens, the healer did. Everyone turned against the healer who had helped them at every chance he could. Once the people really needed the healer's help, they confided in him and his cats to help the baker and amazingly healed the baker, but hurt the healer. Then, when no one could help the healer, the cats stepped up and helped the healer, the cats restored the life of one who let them keep life. This book can show more be used to teach children not to judge things or situations by how they look on the outside. It could also relate to the popular saying of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." In the end, the folktale is all about helping others and believing in others, no matter what they believe in them selves. show less

I received this book through LibraryThing member giveaway. This was a delightful book with accompanying audio CD about a "jazz" fly and his band who are trying to get to their gig, via the jungle, after their limo breaks down. English, Spanish and Jazz scat, the latter some of the author's own invention, are spoken here and their text appears in different colors each. Rhyming and scatting fun among the languages tells the story and imparts some musicality too. The front and back pages show more enclosing the story have Spanish words and phrases which appeared in the story and their English translations, a smart addition. The audio version was a hit with my one year old who bounced and clapped to the instruments and rhythm. I've had the tunes in my head the last few days (in a good way, not a constant way) and find myself humming and da-da-daing them. If you have read and listened to the audio of Skippy John Jones and liked it I think you'll also like Jazz Fly. Yet the colors and illustrations in Jazz Fly are more vivid and engaging which makes reading it more appealing for the younger set. Fun story, catchy music, Spanish immersion, whimsical illustrations, it's all here, in Jazz Fly 2. show less