Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane is a soulful introduction to the childhood of a jazz legend. Carol Boston Weatherford focuses on the auditory. Her pages describe the sounds in John Coltrane's world: the ukulele, steam engine, dance, big band, and more. These references invite—demand—that the reader learn relevant history to fully appreciate this succinct text. Her story rewards those who expand their background knowledge about John Coltrane and the 1930s.
The lengthy Author's Note, Selected Listening, and Further Reading references at the end of the book will appeal to the middle grade reader. Sean Qualls succeeds in representing sound. His illustrations are not childish and so respect the older reader.
My Picture Book Talk lesson is here. This lesson includes several links to YouTube videos to whet the appetite of children curious about John Coltrane's music. I watched the documentary Chasing Train on a streaming service; however, it is also available through my library network.
This story is read aloud online by INDY E.C.H.O. OURStory Time.
