Blog #24 Before John Was a Jazz Giant

Blog #24

Before John Was a Jazz Giant
By Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Sean Qualls
Henry Holt and Company
2008
20 pages

Nonfiction

                I chose this book because I enjoy John Coltrane’s music. This story depicts John’s life as a little boy growing up. He takes the reader from church to his childhood kitchen to the tragedy of loss when he was young. John grew up in the South during the 1930’s, and as a result was surrounded by a cacophony of sounds. It is a very short book, but the pictures tell the story much like his music did: wordlessly.

                The illustrations were rendered using acrylic, collage, and pencil. The brush strokes are thick and visible creating an abstract feeling to the pictures. The colors are bright and vibrant and reflect the high energy of John’s childhood surroundings. Individual pictures from this book could be displayed in a gallery because of their rich symbolism and depth. The style of the book is very informal with words dancing like music notes across the page. 

                This book could be used in a variety of ways. It is most appropriate for younger elementary due to the age of John in the story. A way to use this book in the classroom would be to introduce a refrain in poetry. Throughout the book, one line is used over and over again. For 3^rd-4^th graders, this lesson could be a stepping stone for them to write their own non-rhyming poem with a refrain. This would also be an excellent book for music class. This book has been awarded the Coretta Scott King Honor. 

To view all of the illustrations from this book click on the word illustration.