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Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra

(1998, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Andrea Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 3, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Charged-up intro to Ellington, his band & music.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra

Parents need to know that this book contains no objectionable content. The artwork is a pleasure, the text is jazzy, and combined they provide a transporting story that requires attention but repays a bit of effort.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Ellington's music. Have you heard any of his music? Does the book make you want to explore his music more?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    mewsical_kk
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Great illustrations

    Excellent book, awesome illustrations

    This book is excellent for teaching children about one of the greatest contributors to ragtime music. For parents who homeschool their kids, this book is great for teaching imagery and analogies. The original illustrations are that of an artistic genius, which recieved the Caldecott Honor Citation. It is also the recipient of the Coretta Scott King Honor. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in music history or who loves to read.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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