The Django - Hardcover

Pinfold, Levi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1840111593 ISBN 13: 9781840111590

Publisher: Templar Publishing, 2010

Synopsis

Jean longs to play the banjo, but the Django keeps on messing things up! So Jean sends the Django away, but wonders if he has lost his most precious inspiration.

In this fictional story inspired by the famous jazz musician Jean "Django" Reinhardt, a young boy named Jean meets a special character called the Django. He’s fun and exciting, but he always gets Jean into trouble. Eventually the Django has to be sent away, and Jean misses him very much, until he discovers that he can still feel close to the Django every time he picks up his banjo. This picture book debut by an exciting new talent includes a page of factual information about the real Django Reinhardt.

About this title

About the Author

Levi Pinfold says THE DJANGO ,his first picture book, was inspired by his own love of jazz music and the amazing life of Django Reinhardt. The author-illustrator lives in Bath, England, where he plays banjo and guitar when nobody is looking.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—Young Jean is the only one who can see the gnomelike creature who is making mischief throughout his Gypsy family's encampment. "A Django. It's like a thing. A sort of it. A kind of cozzler that always seems to find trouble." The creature spooks the horse pulling the caravan, causes Jean to call people horrible names, and destroys father's banjo. The child is blamed for all of the Django's misdeeds, and he angrily banishes the troublemaker. One uneventful week later, Jean's father presents the boy with a banjo of his very own. Jean regrets shouting at the Django, but as he plucks at the banjo strings, he begins to feel better. An author's note explains that this story was inspired by the childhood of famous jazz musician Django Reinhardt; it goes on to relate a little more information about his life and career. Lush watercolor paintings with stylish details make this a visually stunning picture book. The story, however, doesn't come together: sad-faced Jean is a pensive waif, but it's hard to comprehend his affection toward the sinister-looking Django with its toothy grin. There seems to be a connection between it and Jean's latent musical talent, but this needs to be clarified. The language is piquant but uneven, and this gorgeous-looking tale falls flat.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Templar Publishing
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1840111593
• ISBN 13: 9781840111590
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 33