JAZZMATAZZ!

“When the weather gets cold / And a mouse slips in, / A jazzmatazz story / Is sure to begin.” After running across a foot, mouse hops on the piano and starts to play jazz. “Doo-dat, diddy-dat, / Diddy-dat, doo! / I plink, plink, plink. / How about you?” He points to dog who plays drums on his dish; Dog points to cat who plays “fiddle” on a carpet beater with a spoon. Cat gets bird to join in; bird gets fish, who gets the baby. Soon the whole family is jamming . . . and then the whole neighborhood. Each person and creature has their own onomatopoeic contribution to the jam that is mirrored in the illustrations. By the close, everyone is surrounded by a rainbow of sound. Calmenson and Degen have created a bright, syncopated jam session sure to please storytime audiences—but not recommended for bedtime reading. (author/illustrator note) (Picture book. 2-6)