Reviewed by annieb123 on
My First Ella Fitzgerald is a new early reader book in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I've reviewed a number of the books in the series on my blog.
This is the simplified version of the book, available in boardbook format. Written by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara and illustrated by Barbara Alca, it was released 5th Feb 2019 by Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint.
I am continually surprised at how these books can take the factual tragedies and challenges of the lives of the people they depict and do it in an appropriate manner for 3+ year olds. I really believe it's vitally important that we not forget the realities of the past, lest we be doomed to repeat them.
This book is charming. It does understandably gloss over some of the sadder parts of her early life (she was homeless for a time and busked and danced on the streets of NYC). It does not cut that part of her life from the biography completely. I was impressed by that.
The content is appropriate and appealing for all ages. It would make a superlative read-along or reading circle selection as well as a family bedtime read.
These are wonderful, high quality books.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 18 February, 2019: Reviewed