Books About Jazz

The Best Jazz Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Music Books, featuring 15 favorites and recommendations by age.

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Looking for excellent children's books about jazz? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Jazz

Bud, Not Buddy
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1999

Bud, Not Buddy

By Christopher Paul Curtis

A boy's quest to find his father leads him on an unforgettable journey during the Great Depression.

Newbery Medal (2000)Coretta Scott King Award (2000)Golden Kite Honor (2000)
245 pages· 52,497 words· Est. 6 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 116,951 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In 1936 Michigan, ten-year-old Bud embarks on a daring journey to find his father, armed with a suitcase of treasures and a clue from his late mother. As he follows the trail of flyers for Herman E. Calloway and his band, Bud faces hunger, fear, and unexpected challenges. Will his determination and wit lead him to the truth about his family? Discover a heartwarming tale of resilience and adventure as Bud navigates the uncertainties of the Great Depression in search of belonging and identity.
Becoming Billie Holiday
Sale price
$1895
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2008

Becoming Billie Holiday

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A young singer's voice rises above poverty and hardship to become legendary.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2009)
120 pages· 11,397 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 479 ratings
$19.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Born into poverty, Eleanora's voice was her beacon. By fifteen, she was Billie Holiday, destined for greatness despite life's harsh trials. Her journey through pain and the law's shadow led her to the spotlight with the era's top big bands. Discover her fight for survival and the dream she pursued with unwavering passion through evocative poetry.
Trombone Shorty
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2015

Trombone Shorty

By Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Bryan Collier (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Trombone Shorty series

A young boy from New Orleans discovers his passion for music and becomes a renowned trombone player.

Coretta Scott King Award (2016)Caldecott Honor (2016)Odyssey Honor (2018)
40 pages· 989 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
6.1/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 5,030 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the vibrant Tremé neighborhood, young Troy dreams of music despite lacking an instrument. Nicknamed 'Trombone Shorty' for his oversized trombone, he captures the crowd's attention and rises to the stage with Bo Diddley. This inspiring journey follows Troy Andrews from a determined child to a Grammy-nominated musician, leading his band, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, around the world. Will his story ignite hope and dreams in the next generation of New Orleans musicians?
Ella Fitzgerald
Sale price
$1498
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Ella Fitzgerald

By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Bàrbara Alca (Illustrator) · Little People, BIG DREAMS series

Discover how a Harlem street singer became a jazz legend.

32 pages· 389 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 766 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Ella Fitzgerald's journey from Harlem's streets to global jazz stardom is a tale of dreams and determination. Winning a talent show at the Apollo Theater, she defied the odds with her groundbreaking voice. This biography, part of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, captures her inspiring story, reminding us that it's not where you start, but where you aim to go. With vibrant illustrations and fascinating facts, young readers will explore how Ella's passion and perseverance changed the world of music. What dreams will you pursue?
Rent Party Jazz
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2001

Rent Party Jazz

By William Miller, Charlotte Riley-Webb (Illustrator)

A boy and a jazz musician team up to save his home from eviction.

32 pages· 1,556 words· Est. 18 min read
4.3 Goodreads · 258 ratings
$10.95Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In 1930s New Orleans, young Sonny faces eviction when his mother loses her job. Desperate, he meets Smilin' Jack, a jazz musician with a plan to save their home. Together, they embark on a journey to raise rent money, turning hardship into a celebration. Can music and community spirit change their fate? Discover a tale of resilience and friendship in the vibrant heart of New Orleans.
What Were the Roaring Twenties?
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2018

What Were the Roaring Twenties?

By Michele Mortlock, Who HQ, Jake Murray (Illustrator) · What Was . . . ? series

Explore the Roaring Twenties, a decade of jazz, flappers, and societal change amidst post-pandemic recovery.

112 pages· 8,174 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 282 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the Roaring Twenties, a decade of transformation and excitement. From the rise of jazz in speakeasies to the liberation of women cutting their hair and dancing the Charleston, this era was a whirlwind of change. Amidst the backdrop of Prohibition and the affordable Model T, society thrived between two major tragedies: the 1918 flu pandemic and the Great Depression. Discover how this vibrant period still resonates today, capturing the spirit of a time when the world was on the brink of modernity.
Muddy
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Muddy

By Michael Mahin, Evan Turk (Illustrator)

A defiant musician's journey from Mississippi fields to Chicago fame reshapes music history.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2017)Ezra Jack Keats Award (2018)
48 pages· 1,451 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 633 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Muddy Waters defies expectations, leaving Mississippi's fields for Chicago's vibrant music scene. Despite doubts from family and producers, his relentless spirit and unique blues sound transform the music world. Will his determination and talent overcome the odds and change the course of music history? Discover the inspiring journey of a man who refused to be silenced, paving the way for rock and roll.
Making Their Voices Heard
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Making Their Voices Heard

By Vivian Kirkfield, Alleanna Harris (Illustrator)

Two iconic women defy prejudice, forging a friendship that changes their destinies.

40 pages
4.5 Goodreads · 281 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Ella Fitzgerald's jazz brilliance couldn't secure her a pivotal club gig. Marilyn Monroe's demands for better roles were ignored. Both faced silenced dreams. Together, they forged an unlikely friendship, helping each other rise above societal barriers. Discover how these two stars, seemingly worlds apart, united to illuminate their paths and redefine success. Can their bond overcome the challenges of their era?
Jazz Day
Sale price
$858
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Jazz Day

By Roxane Orgill, Francis Vallejo (Illustrator)

A daring photo shoot captures jazz legends in 1950s Harlem.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2016)
66 pages
4.2 Goodreads · 760 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In 1958, Art Kane dreams of gathering jazz legends for a photo in Harlem. With no camera and uncertain attendance, can he immortalize this iconic moment? Discover the vibrant personalities and lively atmosphere through playful verse and vivid illustrations, capturing the essence of a summer day on a Harlem block. Will the musicians' quirks and style shine through in this ambitious project?
Strange Fruit
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–12 · 2017

Strange Fruit

By Gary Golio, Charlotte Riley-Webb (Illustrator)

A jazz singer performs a powerful protest song that sparks outrage and inspires change in the 1930s

40 pages· 2,291 words· Est. 18 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 561 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In the 1930s, Billie Holiday, a jazz singer from poverty, and Abel Meeropol, a Jewish immigrant's son, unite to create 'Strange Fruit.' This haunting song confronts racism, leaving audiences silent and igniting the Civil Rights movement. How did this powerful collaboration transform their lives and the world?
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Browse by age

Jazz Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about jazz for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Jazz
Sale price
$1895

Jazz

Ages 8–12 · 2000

Experience the rhythm and history of jazz through vibrant poetry and art.

Dark Was the Night
Sale price
$1799

Dark Was the Night

Ages 5–8 · 2020

A blind musician's song transcends Earth, echoing human loneliness in space.

Jazz on a Saturday Night
Sale price
$1699

Jazz on a Saturday Night

Ages 4–8 · 2007

Experience the magic of jazz through vibrant illustrations and a special CD.

Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat
Sale price
$1799

Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat

Ages 5–9 · 2010

Orphaned and hungry, a young girl discovers her voice and changes her fate.

Ella Queen of Jazz
Sale price
$1799

Ella Queen of Jazz

Ages 5–8 · 2017

A singer faces racial barriers until an unexpected ally steps in.

Mysterious Thelonious
Sale price
$1495

Mysterious Thelonious

Ages 4–8 · 1997

Explore the harmony of jazz and color in a unique artistic portrait.

Bird & Diz
Sale price
$1999

Bird & Diz

Ages 4–8 · 2015

Two jazz legends create a new sound, playing music like a game of tag.

View all jazz picture books
Browse by age

Jazz Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about jazz for developing and independent readers.

Who Was Louis Armstrong?
Series
Sale price
$699

Who Was Louis Armstrong?

Ages 8–12 · 2004

The life of Louis Armstrong, a famous jazz musician, is explored from his childhood in New Orleans to his rise to fame.

Almost There
#13 in Series
Sale price
$1899

Almost There

Ages 12–+ · 2022

A deal grants Tiana her dreams, but eerie threats loom. Can she restore balance before losing it all?

The Aristocats
Series
Sale price
$698

The Aristocats

1970

Cats must outsmart a scheming butler to reclaim their inheritance.

The Jazz Man
Sale price
$899

The Jazz Man

Ages 8–12 · 1966

A boy's world transforms through music, but what happens when the melody fades?

Duke Ellington
Series
Sale price
$695

Duke Ellington

Ages 6–9 · 1995

Discover the jazz legend who transformed music forever.

Struttin' with Some Barbecue
Sale price
$1899

Struttin' with Some Barbecue

Ages 9–12 · 2018

A pioneering woman shapes jazz history, defying barriers and transforming a legend's destiny.

View all jazz chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about grandparent-grandchild relationshipsBooks about musiciansBooks about running away from homeBooks about self-discoveryBooks about singers