Regardless of whether they’ve heard of jazz or Art Tatum, young readers will appreciate how Parker uses simple, lyrical storytelling and colo...
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reviews
Apr 10, 2011
Matthew
rated it: 
So many of the biographies of jazz musicians take on such a far-fetched artistic approach that they lose some of their gravity. This book didn't fall prey to that classic mistake. It was a biography in the truest sense. I enjoyed this. I know that I have no business speaking on the members of the jazz community, but I felt comfortable reading this anyway. The first person point of view was an interesting choice that gave the text a subtle humanized quality. Rather than reading about this musicia
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Dec 10, 2009
Treasa
rated it: 
Art Tatum was a stranger to me before I read this book. And now, after reading it, I feel as if I actually knew him. Tatum was born with severely limited vision, but he is still able to become an amazing piano player despite that. I am absolutely amazed by this. He was able to listen to a song on the radio and then play it on the piano with his own improvisations and with perfect technique. Incredible. Parker does an amazing job of conveying a sense of Tatum's character, both in the text and ill
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Mar 22, 2009
Toby
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Schneider Picture Book Award Winner
Parker has won previous honors for his illustrations, but this is his first award as an author/illustrator. Like the best books, he's writing from his own passion as he is a jazz musician himself. The story focuses on Art Tatum's early years, and has won the Schneider Award for an artistic depiction of the disability experience for a child audience. Art Tatum was born with limited vision but doesn't let that impact his music. When his mother tell More...
Parker has won previous honors for his illustrations, but this is his first award as an author/illustrator. Like the best books, he's writing from his own passion as he is a jazz musician himself. The story focuses on Art Tatum's early years, and has won the Schneider Award for an artistic depiction of the disability experience for a child audience. Art Tatum was born with limited vision but doesn't let that impact his music. When his mother tell More...
Feb 16, 2009
Becky
rated it:
Parker, Robert Andrew. 2008. Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum. Random House.
I was unfamiliar with this author and this artist. Art Tatum, I've come to learn, is a considered one of the all-time greats of jazz piano. A story that becomes only more inspirational when I learned that he was born nearly blind.
"Still, bad eyes can't keep me from playing the piano. My hands get to know the short black ones on top and long white ones below. I play more and more. And mo More...
I was unfamiliar with this author and this artist. Art Tatum, I've come to learn, is a considered one of the all-time greats of jazz piano. A story that becomes only more inspirational when I learned that he was born nearly blind.
"Still, bad eyes can't keep me from playing the piano. My hands get to know the short black ones on top and long white ones below. I play more and more. And mo More...
Nov 30, 2010
Linda
rated it:
This book isn't really much different from other picture book biographies. Good information, nice illustrations. But what made this book stand out for me--and in a sense change my life--is that it introduced me to a musician I'd never known--Art Tatum.After reading, I looked him up on YouTube and found some video clips. I really like his style of piano. After sharing this book with a child, go online and listen to some of Tatum's amazing playing.
Apr 27, 2009
Ningerbil
rated it:
An easy-to-follow book on Art Tatum, a gifted piano player who was born with severe vision problems. It starts from his childhood and goes to young adulthood, where he is beginning to make a name for himself. I like the illustrations -- they have a feel of being a memory. I like the biographical information at the back, which will be handy for students doing reports.
Feb 11, 2009
Bullcitytaheel
rated it:
I'm not sure this is a pure biography because the notes say the author "filled in the blanks" some. Nice story of a jazz pianist, who played in the 20s, 30s, 40s (and 50s?). Focuses on his years growing up as he started playing piano and naturally moved into professional playing. The beautiful watercolor illustrations really add to the "feel" of the story.
Aug 17, 2011
Melinda
rated it:
Beautiful watercolor illustrations and first-person-perspective text contribute to the dreamy feeling of a young boy with poor eyesight growing up to become one of the world's jazz greats. Combine this with old, scratchy YouTube recordings for maximum impact.
Apr 20, 2011
Cheryl/Aradanryl
rated it:
Loved the gentle loving test that describes Art Tatum's childhood and rise to fame. There is a curiously tender feel throughout the book that would make this a quiet read at bedtime. Didn't care as much for the watercolor illustrations but I am not sure why
Jan 29, 2011
Teri
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Nice biography about Art Tatum and how he learned to play the piano with severe impairment to his sight. Lots of references to the piece "humoresque" by Antonin Dvorak. This would be a nice tie-in to listening to that piece of classical music.
Mar 03, 2009
Cindi
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I am not in the jazz loop at all, but I still thought it would be cool to read about Art Tatum. The book didn't make clear if he is totally blind or partially blind, but at a young age he took interest in the piano that sat in their living room (such a cute picture of a toddler on tiptoe reaching up for the keys of the piano). As it turned out, he was a prodigy who could play whatever he heard including weaving songs together. This book tells the story of his learning to play (apparently tota
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Mar 26, 2009
Beth
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Loose pen-and-watercolor art gives a jazz feel to this children's biography of jazz pianist Art Tatum.
Mar 02, 2009
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it:
This book was the 2009 Schneider Family Award winner for best picture book about someone with a disability. I didn't know that Art Tatum was almost blind. I'm not a fan of jazz, but reading this text, about how brilliantly he played the piano, made me want to dig out a CD and sample some of his music. It's a shame he died at the relatively young age of 46.
Mar 30, 2008
JustOneMoreBook.com
rated it: 
Breezy, evocative images and fondly recalled, first-person narrative provide an intimate — if imagined — look at the early life and loves of Jazz legend, Art Tatum.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Jan 18, 2008
Shawn
rated it:
Another jazz book for kids! This one is for kids that are a bit older, but it's never too early to start reading good books (with good art) to your kid.
This one is about Art Tatum, one of the greatest jazz pianists of all times. It's the great story of how Art Tatum came to become one of the greatest jazz pianists of all times. And it manages to tug at your heartstrings just a little bit, too.
This one is about Art Tatum, one of the greatest jazz pianists of all times. It's the great story of how Art Tatum came to become one of the greatest jazz pianists of all times. And it manages to tug at your heartstrings just a little bit, too.
May 24, 2008
Roxanne Hsu
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I'm so glad to read this book, written (his first) by one of my favorite illustrators Robert Andrew Parker. He has a straightforward and fluid style, echoing his own artwork, perfect for delivering the young life of a legendary Jazz pianist.
May 15, 2008
Josephine
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This is lovely & I'm so glad to see the jazz-musician-picture-book-biography genre expanding and thriving. More, please.
Feb 08, 2012
Dec 27, 2011
Nov 26, 2011
