Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins--The First Lady of Children's Music

First sentence: Amid the blare and bleat
of taxicabs,
the screech of high-up trains,
the tambourines that ring
as preachers preach
and choirs sing--
amid the pool hall-gritty
beat of the city
a little girl named
Ella whistles with
the birds.
Little girls
shouldn't
whistle,
her mother says.
But ella wants
to make
a prety
sound.

Premise/plot: Make a Pretty Sound is a picture book biography of Ella Jenkins. It is written as a narrative poem. The rhythm of it WORKS. (I love it when that happens.) When writing about musicians, it is almost essential that attention is given to the narrative style, to getting the rhythm just right. So this picture book is the story of her life and her work. She is best known for her children's music. (I, for one, remember her show more appearances on MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD.)

My thoughts: I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that if you are going to take the time to read a picture book biography of a musician, in this case, Ella Jenkins, you take the time to introduce children to the MUSIC as well. Take time to listen to some of Ella Jenkins' albums, or songs at least.

I enjoyed the narrative text. I enjoyed the illustrations. I appreciated listening to her music. (YT for the win!) show less

The "First Lady of Children's Music" was born in St. Louis and grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. After attending college in San Francisco, she returns to Chicago, becomes involved in the Civil Rights movement, and makes records and appears on TV shows, including Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

"But Ella's song is for the children,
for the hope she feels when she
hears their voices,
for all that music can teach them
about themselves
and about each other."

The story concludes with a double gatefold of an older Ella surrounded by children, making pretty sounds. Digital illustrations (Procreate) have warmth and texture.

There's an "About Ella Jenkins" biography (3 pages) followed by a brief author's note and a selected show more bibliography. Interestingly, the timeline is split between the front endpapers (1924-1951) and the back (1956-2017). show less