Django: World's Greatest Jazz Guitarist (by Bonnie Christensen)

As inspirations go, Django Reinhardt is a good one. Born into a poor Gypsy family in Belgium a decade after the turn of the century, Django learned to play guitar at the family's fireside. When his parents moved to Paris a few years later, Django was able to help the family make money with his musical skill. Eventually he became one of the jazz greats playing at the smoky Paris nightclubs. Then one night, tragedy happens. Django's caravan goes up in flames and he was severely burned on his hand and leg. Would he ever play the guitar again?

Written in an obscure, poetic narrative some kids may grow bored trying to figure out what's happening. They may also have trouble appreciating Django's accomplishments without some background. Fortunately parents have a crutch in the form of an author's note at the back, which details some of Django's background and historic circumstance. They can also get a heads up on the happy ending so they'll be able to reassure any kids upset by the tension of Django's injuries.

The gorgeous pictures are muted with scratchy charcoal lines and yellow tints lending them an air of historic import. They may also be better appreciated by older readers than the usual picture book audience.

Christensen's illustrations are gorgeous, conveying time past but still retaining a feeling of immediacy and intimacy.