How Jelly Roll Morton Invented Jazz Illustrated by Keith Mallet Roaring Brook Press (Neal Porter Books), 2015
CCBC Choice Kansas State Reading Circle
REVIEWS…!
*“As he did earlier in Dizzy (2006) and Jazz Age Josephine (2012), Winter uses lyrical language and simple text to convey the essence of a jazz great, Jelly Roll Morton…. The ‘voodoo spell / of Jelly Roll magic’ soars from the page and will enchant modern readers. Appended with author’s note and further reading, this makes a wonderful introduction to an artist unknown to most kids.” (Booklist, starred review) Read the review
“Winter uses a second-person narrative to create a sense of immediacy as he describes Jelly Roll Morton’s tumultuous upbringing and immersion in music…. Musical interludes and a gumbo metaphor for jazz spice up the recounting, while artist Mallett’s dramatic acrylics conjure a sense of rolling movement. (Publisher’s Weekly)
“The book opens in a tremendously inviting way: ‘Here’s what could’ve happened if you were born a way down south in New Orleans, in the Land of Dreams a long, long time ago. Let’s say you had a godmother, and she put a spell on you because she was a voodoo queen. …’ Voodoo queen? Hoo boy, my attention is piqued.” (Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast) Read the review
“Much like jazz itself, Winter has created a book filled with ebbs and flows, rhythm and rhyme, darkness and light, shadow and sunshine. Opening with a dreamy spread set in a dimly lit New Orleans with the city on the right-hand page and a small house on the left, the hushed second-person narration begins…. This is a beautiful tribute to one of the parents of jazz (sorry, but Morton can’t claim sole ownership!) — and a fitting introduction for a new generation of jazz lovers.” (The Horn Book Magazine) Read the review
“Immersing yourself in Jonah Winter’s biography of Jelly Roll Morton is akin to sitting at the knee of the most captivating storyteller. With mesmerizing rhythms Winter weaves the events of Morton’s life into a tale as enthralling as jazz music itself…. How Jelly Roll Morton Invented Jazz is a unique, fascinating true-life tale that will entice music lovers and all readers.” (Celebrate Picture Books) Read the review
“In this unusual and inventive picture book that riffs on the language and rhythms of old New Orleans, noted picture book biographer Jonah Winter turns his focus to one of America's early jazz heroes in this perfectly pitched book about Jelly Roll Morton. Gorgeously illustrated by fine artist Keith Mallett, a newcomer to picture books, this biography will transport readers young and old to the musical, magical streets of New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century.” (KidsReads)Read the review
“In How Jelly Roll Morton Invented Jazz the story of Jelly Roll Morton is as improvisational as the jazz itself. Mr. Winter’s enthusiasm for and devotion to this man and his story are quite obvious. This fact, coupled with artist Keith Mallett’s illustrations of dark, rhythmical silhouettes on hazy stages or in smoke-filled saloons, moving with eerie devotion to the unique cadence of that thing called jazz, make this book the perfect keepsake for history lovers everywhere.” (The Black History Channel)Read the review
“Mr. Winter and then-fiancee Sally Denmead had their wedding rehearsal dinner at The Cajun, the Chelsea restaurant where The Nighthawks famously held forth and where Ms. Denmead once ‘sat in’ and sang — with Tom Roberts at the piano….” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Read the review
