Ella: Queen of Jazz

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Ella loves to sing. She tours the country singing jazz and country tunes. She and her band are wonderful; their star is rising. But Ella isn't welcome everywhere, especially at the biggest venue in town - simply because of her skin colour. Making the big-time can't happen.

But Ella's magic has gained her many friends, including the country's most beautiful, glamorous woman. Ella's secret friend calls the venue: if they book Ella, she'll sit up front every night. Hollywood flocks to the shows and when the run finishes, the unlikely friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe endures.

The illustrations' glorious ice-cream colours and bold jazzy shapes ooze retro glamour in this story of two incredible women: their friendship, their talent and their determination to fight prejudice. 

More books like this

Penguin in Peril

Author: Helen Hancocks

Penguin hatches an escape plan to avoid becoming dinner for a group of cats, who have kidnapped him from the zoo.

Read more about Penguin in Peril

Little People, Big Dreams: Maya Angelou

Author: Lisbeth Kaiser Illustrator: Leire Salaberria

This inspiring biography for young readers focusses on writer, speaker and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.

Read more about Little People, Big Dreams: Maya Angelou

Share this book with your friends

Use our Bookfinder to discover the perfect children's books for every age...