Baby Loves Jazz…and so does Mamanista!

Vivid illustrations and adult-friendly music for kids make the Baby Loves Jazz series a winner. Each book guides baby through an aspect of her world using the lens of Jazz. The funky drawings and engaging recordings are consistent throughout the series.

I was able to review Ella Elephant Scats Like That: Baby Loves Jazz and Charlie Bird Count to the Beat: Baby Loves Jazz. Ella Elephant focuses on the sounds that emanate from each instrument in the band, accented and reinforced by "Ella's" vivacious and talented scat--a vocal technique in which "instead of real words, we make up our own." With Charlie Bird, parents and baby can practice counting with a twist. Each number is represented by the animal members of the band: "Four funky fish play fiddles."

Baby Diva enjoyed the hep, lush pictures and the bouncy jazz beats and I appreciated a children's recording that addresses a sophisticated and complex art form with a sense of fun. A toddler learning to count might appreciate Charlie Bird more, but we still had fun with the "six silly seals [that] play spoons" and all of Charlie's friends.

Overall, I think the books and the CDs work very well separately but could be better integrated. Perhaps a short track to correspond with each page, followed by more lengthy selections at the end for extended listening.

Also, at Baby Diva's age, I would have liked a book that had a little more rhyming text for reading. After looking at the other titles, I'm planning on buying Miles the Crocodile Plays the Colors of Jazz: Baby Loves Jazz. Each page of Miles elaborates on the musical "colors" of the Jazz, as well as familiar objects in each hue, with a lively verse.

For those who would like a more extensive story, your choice should be Philly Joe Giraffe's Jungle Jazz: Baby Loves Jazz--a fun tale of Philly Joe traveling from his city home to join the jungle band.

Each sturdy board book comes complete with entertaining text, exuberant drawings, a playful jazz CD, and a handy carrying handle.

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