Nicky the Jazz Cat

By Carol Friedman

Book Overview

I ve worked with the best cats around, and Nicky is one of a kind. This sweet and soulful jazz cat followed his dream and came out a winner. I love him and so will the kids Quincy Jones Nicky the Jazz Cat teaches young people about humor, improvisation, and individuality. His swinging adventures with his special jazz friends will inspire and delight children as they learn. Nicky is one cool cat Wynton Marsalis When a jazz-loving kitten named Nicky meets a legendary trumpet player, he learns how to play jazz and word travels fast soon all the top musicians hear about this jazz cat and want to play with him. This charming story is illustrated with photographs of Nicky with jazz greats Roy Eldridge, Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, Quincy Jones, Abbey Lincoln, and Gerry Mulligan as they meet and make friends. The colorful graphics and rhyming text call and response conversation between Nicky and his new musician friends reflect the humor, rhythm, and spirit of jazz itself. Nicky the Jazz Cat teaches children about the magic of jazz, the value of friends and mentors, and the power of imagination and originality. Children and adults alike will delight in his journey from curious jazz kitten to acclaimed jazz cat."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576872483
• ISBN13: 9781576872482
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: powerHouse Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.4" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 2 to 5 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Kindergarten

Customer Reviews

Superior Treatment of Jazz for Kids

Carol Friedman blends her photographic art, her cat Nicky and her love for jazz in this easy to read treatment of this musical genre for children. Photographs of major jazz musicians (Quincy Jones, Lena Horne, Lionel Hampton, Roy Eldridge ...) alongside her cat Nicky capture the attention of youngsters. The vocabulary is hip, fun and informative. This is one of the better books about jazz for young children.

This Book is Great!

(...) Nicky the Jazz Cat is a great book. I really like the pictures. This book made me get the jazz. This book has some rhyming. I REALLY like this book. Nicky is a black cat. This book is funny too. There are six people who are in it--Roy, Quincy, Lena, Gerry, Abbey and Hamp-- who are famous musicians or singers.

He's one hep cat

This book and its companion CD, "Nicky's Jazz for Kids" make a perfect gift for anyone who loves jazz, loves cats, or loves cats and jazz. My 5 y.o. daughter enjoys reading the book to us and equally loves hearing the great tunes on the CD. It's a welcome change from the standard saccharine children's music. Splurge on both items--Nicky won't disappoint!

Diz Kool Kat gits around!

A wonderful photo-filled rhyme story of this lucky cat Nicky and his cast of jazz music's greatest performers. I bought the book and CD, "Nicky's jazz for Kids" for my two young sons. They loved reading/singing the story and then they jammed along with the CD on their own instruments. This is a great opportunity for parents to get their kids turned onto jazz before they take them to see Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center. It really helps Jazz to be fun for kids to enjoy!

Wow! Such a Great Idea for a Book

Nicky is a cat-- a fashionably all-black feline. In this book he's rhyming his way through encounters with several jazz musicians. The text is fun, the book is beautiful, and the pictures are very, very cool. The Lena Horne shot is my favorite-- she is gazing elegantly down at Nicky. The author has had a lifetime career of photographing Jazz musicians, and the Nicky pictures are my favorite. If only I can keep the baby from drooling on it until he's big enough to appreciate it!