Charlie Parker Played Be Bop

About the Book

“Charlie Parker played be bop. Charlie Parker played saxophone. The music sounded like be bop. Never leave your cat alone.” So opens this excellent, memorable book. It goes on from there to play with language in a way that’s a joy to read aloud to a child of any age (something I rarely say). The excellent watercolor and charcoal pencil illustrations, which are slightly surreal, swirl with smoke like a jazz club while also be bopping along to match nonsense words: “Be bop. Fisk, fisk. Lollipop. Boomba, boomba.”

Why this Book?

It’s terrific. There’s nothing like it. You and the child you share it with won’t be able to get the rhythms out of your heads. Per the book flap, Raschka “was inspired to write this book upon hearing a recording of ‘A Night in Tunisia’ — the so-called be bop anthem,” which Charlie Parker helped make famous. Interesting to know or listen to, but not necessary to enjoy this book. I send this to a lot of new parents who, I have no doubt, are initially baffled but quickly come to love it. “Boppitty, bippitty, bop. BANG!“