Before John was a Jazz Giant

by: Carole Boston Weatherford
illustrated by: Sean Qualls
Published by: Henry Holt and Company
Copyright 2008

Summary: Tells the story by John Coltrane's claim to fame

Strengths: The text and pictures correspond accordingly( the pictures are on the same page that the text is referring too). There are good illustrations and the use of color portrayed- it feels like it took place in a different time period than life today.

Concerns: Although the text and pictures complement each other, on the same pages I feel there is too much going on and it is very busy and when looking at it, your eyes scatter everywhere on the page. The ending was also a little unclear- I had to look back because it is not directly stated and no directly ended: it kind of implied a metaphorical ending.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: It teaches children that their dreams can really come true