60. Make a Pretty Sound

 

60. Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins--The First Lady of Children's Music. Traci N. Todd. Illustrated by Eleanor Davis. 2025. 60 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, nonfiction, picture book biography, music appreciation]

First sentence: Amid the blare and bleat
of taxicabs,
the screech of high-up trains,
the tambourines that ring
as preachers preach
and choirs sing--
amid the pool hall-gritty
beat of the city
a little girl named
Ella whistles with
the birds.
Little girls
shouldn't
whistle,
her mother says.
But ella wants
to make
a prety
sound.

Premise/plot: Make a Pretty Sound is a picture book biography of Ella Jenkins. It is written as a narrative poem. The rhythm of it WORKS. (I love it when that happens.) When writing about musicians, it is almost essential that attention is given to the narrative style, to getting the rhythm just right. So this picture book is the story of her life and her work. She is best known for her children's music. (I, for one, remember her appearances on MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD.) 

My thoughts: I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that if you are going to take the time to read a picture book biography of a musician, in this case, Ella Jenkins, you take the time to introduce children to the MUSIC as well. Take time to listen to some of Ella Jenkins' albums, or songs at least.

I enjoyed the narrative text. I enjoyed the illustrations. I appreciated listening to her music. (YT for the win!) 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews