Review - Duke Elllington's Nutcracker Suite by Anna Celenza

Title: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite
Series: N/A
Author: Anna Celenza
Genre: Children’s Book, Non- Fiction Picture Book
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Received: From Publicist for Review
Release Date:  July 2011
Pages: 32
Rating:


What is it About?

Jazz extraordinaire Duke Ellington’s vision for a jazz version of the famous Nutcracker Suite. Included is a cd of the Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite.

My Thoughts:

The art has a very free flowing feeling like listening to Jazz.   The colors are bright, vivacious and fun to follow.

The story is not one with much action but imagination.  It is fun to read the words of how Duke Ellington and his jazz entourage might have been told to play the musical suite in jazz form.  Even while reading it without listening to the cd you can hear the music and feel it.  I think that is what Jazz is all about.



Website:

Anna Celenza Official Website
http://www.annacelenza.com/

Day Is Done by Peter Yarrow

Title: Day Is Done
Author: Peter Yarrow
Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book
Publisher: Sterling    
Received: I do not own
Release Date: October 2009
Pages: 24
Rating:


What is it About?
Parents comfort a boy child with song nearing the end of the day.

My Thoughts:

First I off I barely know the song that this book referenced and I did not get to listen to the CD that comes with the book.   I was impressed with the art and the had the tune of the song in my head as I read it.  It felt... I wouldn’t say depressing but very mellow...almost too mellow.

Also this seems to be only for a son.   As in the song or story “I will be here my son” is throughout the book.  Nothing wrong with that I just thought Puff the Magic Dragon is more for every child or adult but a little hard to translate this song into book form for more then boys.

I loved the art and the message but not the wording for a book.  Maybe with the CD it stands out better.

Website:

http://www.peterpaulandmary.com/