Colorful artwork and lively text describe Ella Fitzgerald’s hardscrabble childhood during the Depression, her perseverance, and eventual rise to fame. Bibliography, Index. Informational Text

Ella Fitzgerald was a performer from a young age. After school, she would often spend days dancing with her friend Charlie, and they would sometimes make a few cents for their talent. They even ventured into Harlem to learn all of the latest dances first hand and were absolutely entranced by the Harlem scene. Fitzgerald had a passion for dancing but eventually took up singing. This is an inspiring story about how Fitzgerald never gave up her dream of using her talent to escape poverty. It is told in a tone that is informative but still very playful so that kids will also be interested in Fitzgerald's rise to fame. ( )

Biography of Ella Fitzgerald. Almost a year later, and my (now)-3-1/2 year old still remembers the "skit-scat raggedy cat" line, and will drop out one or another random fact about Ella Fitzgerald when we play one of her albums. ( )

The book's writing is what grabbed my attention the most because it is written in "cool" language that is more receptive for kids to understand and to think the book is cool. It is written in that time period about Ella Fitzgerald life and how singing help her find peace through some tough situations. 2nd and up ( )

Ella Fitzgerald was a young talented woman who just needed her moment to be seen and heard. Her story in this book starts as a young girl singing with her mother and sister around the house. When her mother passes away, Ella finds peace in her singing and dancing and it eventually lands her out of her rags, and into her own riches. Ella started off raggedy and poor but used her talents to overcome all of her obstacles. Street performing was a part of her story
I learned from this book. Kids would enjoy this book due to the author using the language that was hip at the time. The author writes the scats and the skits out so you get an authentic back in the day feel of the accent, just like in the title. ( )