Jazz on a Saturday Night

Jazz On A Saturday Night is a children's book that describe the dream of a young boy where he gets the meet all of his favorite Jazz musicians. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought that the plot was excellent. The main character Bryan falls asleep and has a dream about being in a Jazz Club where all of his favorite Jazz artists are preforming. The book then goes into detail about who each artiest is and what their contribution to Jazz has been. I thought the plot was original, informative and creative. I saw it as a fun and interesting way to introduce the world of Jazz to a reader without making it boring or only informational. Another reason why I liked this book was because of the illustrations. I found the illustrations show more awesome. Jazz is a lively and powerful music. The illustrations in this children's book truly help bring the music and the feel of jazz to life. The pictures contained screaming fans, notes floating out of instruments and Bryan constantly smiling. Overall, this book was amazing. show less

A fun rhyming book on the magical powers of good jazz. I liked the introduction which included a brief history and origin of jazz. Many famous names are mentioned throughout. The perfect book to introduce kids to jazz. I loved the illustrations as well.

This is possibly the best children's book on jazz that I have ever read. I simply loved the illustrations and the word play in the narration. Jazz on a Saturday Night captures the soul of jazz and how the magic is created amongst the musicians. It includes some the most recognizable figures in jazz. Miles Davis, Coltrane, Ella, Monk, Max Roach, and Stanely Clark are all included in this performance. As I was reading the story, I thought to myself, ' I wish I could have been in that audience to witness that performance." I admired how the author included a brief history on the musicians at the end of the book. I will definitely add this to my collection of children's books.

A great little book with wonderful illustrations. It is a great book that teases us with the notion of a super jazz band full of all the best musicians.
The rhyme scheme feels a bit jazz like itself.
I also love the fact that there are miniature profiles on all the musicians at the end of the book.

This beautifully illustrated book follows the story of a fictional group of real, famous musicians who play a wonderful jazz concert for an entranced audience. From Charlie Parker to Ella Fitzgerald, the story portrays the beauty and excitement of jazz music while also exposing readers to famous jazz artists. This book comes with a cd containing jazz music from the artists portrayed in the story. At the end of this children's story is a great mini autobiography for each artist as a way to extend the learning from the book.

This is a great book to have in the classroom as it adds diversity and a cultural aspect to a classroom library. This would be a wonderful addition if working through a unit on various cultures, music, or studying the show more history of jazz in the United States. Students will enjoy the rhyme that is written into the story, making this book an enjoyable read aloud in addition to the vibrant illustrations that are very enjoyable to readers.

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators

Award Description:
Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators: This award is given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.

APA citation: Dillon, L., & Dillon, D. (2007). Jazz on a Saturday night. New York: Blue Sky Press. show less

Summary:
Imagine a Saturday night in New Orleans in the 30’s or 40’s, and all he Jazz icons are there playing together. Miles Davis, Max Roach, Charlie Parker, John Coltraine, Thelonious Monk, Stanley Clarke, and Ella Fitzgerald all make an appearance in this book. The illustrations look like paintings you would see in a Jazz club. They are perfect for the Jazz feel of the book. The words flow and rhyme as if the rhythm were written underneath it. I felt myself reading slowly, smooth, and to a jazz beat. By the end, you feel like you were there. Then after the story is a picture and a small bio of each of the famous jazz musicians mentioned in the book.

Personal Experience:
As a former music major and current music lover, I show more couldn’t get enough of this book. I took an ORFF class once and the professor read, Charlie Parker Goes Bee Bop to the class along with a saxophone accompaniment. I couldn’t help but feel like I was at Def Poetry Jam as I read this to my boys. They really responded. They hung on every word, and I think they learned a little something about jazz history.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1.) Jazz is an important part of history. If I had the opportunity to read this to my class room, I’d like to briefly discuss each musician and musical instrument mentioned in the book. This would be a good day to bring my guitar and show the kids first had how instruments work.
2.) I do have a music minor so it is very possible that I could get called upon to sub or assist in a music class. This would be perfect for a younger music class. A sticker in the book says that this book inspired someone to write the song, “Jazz on a Saturday Night”. I would play that song and ask the students to tell me if they can tell the book and song go together and to explain.
3.) I would ask my students, “What is your favorite kind of music?” I would have them draw me a picture showing their favorite kind of music and a brief explanation of what they like about it. show less

Leo and Diane Dillon's wonderful picture book captures the excitement of an old-time speak easy which fictitiously features such jazz legends like Miles Daves, Theloneous Monk, and Charlie Parker. The authors use both lively illustrations along with rhyme and meter to give the book a jazzy and musical flow. Children who read this book could easily find pleasure and fun with this book by using the metered text to create their own musical adventure, along with learning about some of America's most treasured musicians.