Ian Marcusiu: Jazzmatazz

Jazzmatazz is written by Stephanie Calmenson and illustrated by Bruce Degen. This book is all about having fun with music, specifically jazz in this case. The story begins on an ordinary winter day with an especially musically inclined mouse venturing his way into someone's home. The mouse starts by showing off its skills on the piano, and all of the sudden the other animals of the house begin to join in and make music with the mouse. The dog starts banging on its food dish, the cat begins to play its fiddle, the bird uses its sweet voice to sing, and the fish joins in by blowing bubbles in its bowl. The baby and its parents can't help but to dance along with the beat, and before you know it the neighborhood has shown up at the house to join in the musical fun. This book shows how music is a creative, collaborative activity that people of all ages can enjoy. Music can start from almost anything, you've just got to use your imagination and have fun with it.