I know we are halfway into March, but I want to talk about February for one more minute!
Most of us know February as Black History Month, but did you know it’s also Women’s History Month?
I want to talk today about one of our new books that we received to review. Ella, Queen of Jazz tells the story of how Ella Fitzgerald got her big break. Have you heard it before? It’s one I didn’t know anything about and while this book was written for children, I found it to be a fascinating story!
This book would be a fabulous learning tool in any classroom for all ages. I can see it resonating most with elementary school children though!
I love this story because it talks about the power of friendship and the importance of building one another up.
As a blogger, I’ve learned important lessons about community over competition. I have seen people get jealous or upset over someone else’s success, and for what reason? That person worked hard just like you are working hard. If you have the right attitude and continue to work hard, your day will come.
I believe it’s important to help others. In any area of life! In my case, as a blogger, I want to see my fellow bloggers succeed. Sure, I feel a pang of jealousy when I don’t get chosen to go to Disney World or if I don’t get put on the Netflix Stream Team…I’m human! But I’m not going to knock others down for their success. I’m so happy for them! Seeing others successful not only makes me happy for them, it makes me want to work even harder to try to get to that point myself.
When someone asks me for help or advice, I give them my best tips. Why should I keep things to myself when I could use my (so far limited) knowledge to help someone who might need it?
Let’s keep building each other up and maybe make the world a more beautiful place!
Back in the day, Marilyn Monroe did this exact thing for Ella Fitzgerald during a time of hatred and racism and exclusion. Ella wasn’t going to be permitted to perform in a popular night club because of the color of her skin. Marilyn had heard Ella sing before and knew how talented she was, so she stepped in and made a deal with the club owner to help Ella out. That club ended up having many successful nights with huge crowds who all came to see Ella sing. Just because a friend stood up and had her back.
We truly loved reading this book! While Leopold doesn’t yet understand the lesson or significance of the story, it was still on his level of understanding. It was easy to read and the illustrations were fun and bright!
We definitely recommend Ella, Queen of Jazz!
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