There is a wealth of wonderful picture books that celebrate jazz music. Be sure to play some jazz recordings, such as Go Baby Go by Baby Loves Jazz. For an art project, you can make paintings or collages that allow free expression. Or, make a simple homemade kazoo.
App: Everyday Grooves, from Fred Rogers Center.
Ehrhardt, Karen. THIS JAZZ MAN. In this take-off on “This Old Man,” several real jazz musicians are introduced.
Fitzgerald, Ella. A-TISKET, A-TASKET. A picture book version of Fitzgerald’s hit song.
Friedman, Carol. NICKY, THE JAZZ CAT. A kitten is befriended by a musician who teaches him how to play jazz.
Gordon, Gus. HERMAN AND ROSIE. In the big city, a crocodile and a deer become friends and band mates in this celebration of music.
Heyward, Dubose. SUMMERTIME. A picture book version of the classic song from “Porgy and Bess.”
Hurd, Thacher. MAMA DON’T ALLOW. Miles and the Swamp Band play at the Alligator Ball.
Isadora, Rachel. BEN’S TRUMPET. Ben plays an imaginary musical instrument until a local musician gives him a trumpet.
Karlins, Mark. MUSIC OVER MANHATTAN. Bernie learns to play the trumpet and is suddenly noticed by the rest of his family.
London, Jonathan. HIP CAT. A saxophone-playing cat goes to the big city to seek his fortune.
Marsalis, Winton. SQUEAK, RUMBLE, WHOMP! WHOMP! A young trumpet player describes the sounds in his neighborhood.
Raschka, Chris. CHARLIE PARKER PLAYED BE-BOP. In this poetic picture book, the great Charlie Parker is celebrated.
Shields, Carol Diggory. BABY’S GOT THE BLUES. Told in a blues rhythm, this book describes the troubles many babies must endure in an average day.
Taylor, Debbie. SWEET MUSIC IN HARLEM. C.J. looks for his uncle’s hat, so he can wear it in a photo for Highnote magazine.
Weiss, David and Bob Thiele. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD. Illustrated by Ashley Bryan, this is a picture book version of the song made popular by Louis Armstrong.
Wheeler, Lisa. JAZZ BABY. Baby gets his entire family to sing to him in this exuberant story.
Also see the previous Jazz storytime ideas page from April 2009.