Once Upon a Time in Chicago: The Story of Benny Goodman

by Jonah Winter, Jeanette Winter (Illustrator)

Follows the childhood of the eminent jazz musician, from his Jewish immigrant father's dream of making a better life for his children, to Goodman's discovery of his musical talents, to his rise to fame.

Genres: Music, Biography, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Jonah Winter is the celebrated author of many picture book biographies, including Barack, which was a New York Times bestseller. His books include Here Comes the Garbage Barge, Sonia Sotomayor, Roberto Clemente, and more. A poet and a painter, Mr. Winter divides his time between Santa Fe and a small town in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once Upon a Time in Chicago : The story of Benny Goldman by Jonah Winter, Illustrator -Jeanette Winter- Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the biography of Benny Goldman (1909-1986) Goodman was the ninth of twelve children born to poor Jewish emigrants from the Russian Empire. His father, David Goodman (1873–1926), came to the United States in 1892 from Warsaw in partitioned Poland and became a tailor. With little income and a large family, they moved to the Maxwell Street neighborhood, an overcrowded slum near railroad yards and factories that was populated by German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Scandinavian, and Jewish immigrants. Money was a constant problem. On Sundays, his father took the children to free band concerts in Douglass Park, which was the first time Goodman experienced live professional performances. To give his children some skills and an appreciation for music, his father enrolled ten-year-old Goodman and two of his brothers in music lessons, from 1919, at the Kehelah Jacob Synagogue and Benny received two years of instruction from the classically trained clarinetist and Chicago Symphony member, Franz Schoepp. During the next year Goodman joined the boys club band at Hull House, where he received lessons from director James Sylvester. By joining the band, he was entitled to spend two weeks at a summer camp near Chicago. It was the only time he could get away from his bleak neighborhood. At 13, he got his first union card. He performed on Lake Michigan excursion boats, and in 1923 played at Guyon's Paradise, a local dance hall. In the summer of 1923, he met Bix Beiderbecke. Goodman moved to New York City and became a session musician for radio, Broadway musicals, and in studios. In addition to clarinet, he sometimes played alto saxophone and baritone saxophone. His first recording pressed to disc (Victor 20394) occurred on December 9, 1926, in Chicago. The session resulted in the song "When I First Met Mary", which also included Glenn Miller, Harry Goodman, and Ben Pollack. One of Goodman's closest friends was Columbia producer John Hammond, who influenced Goodman's move from Victor to Columbia.   Goodman married Hammond's sister, Alice Frances Hammond Duckworth (1913–1978), on March 20, 1942. They had two daughters and raised Alice's three daughters from her first marriage to British politician Arthur Duckworth. Goodman's daughter Rachel became a classical pianist. His band included both Afro-Americans and Americans. Piano Teddy Wilson, Vibraphone – Lionel Hampton, Drum- Jean Crupa, Clesmer Trumpet- Jiggy Elmann, He died while playing the clarinet in a music concert. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could be of interest for those learning about Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods, but as the subtitle says, its about Benny Goodman. The narrative treats the origins of Goodman's musical career but does little to deepen it. The illustrations have a period feel, and the book design leaves plenty of white space for the text and images to rest in.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman as a child, emphasizes how his immigrant family, especially his father, encouraged his interest in music and sacrificed to get him lessons. In a one page text introduction the author explains how he became the “King of Swing.” The rest of the book is a brightly illustrated narrative of his boyhood, family, neighborhood, and education.

[Abigail Cornejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. It's a good medium length simple biography, but there's not a real plot. It would be good for showing diversity in Chicago and potentially music in daily life. 3.5 stars.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this all too brief biography of great band leader Benny Goodman

[N_Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this book at the Library because I was searching for biography picture books. I grew up (and still live) in the Chicago area so the title grabbed me immediately. This book is about the life of Benny Goodman, a musician who grew up in Chicago. Benny is born into a very poor Jewish family with 12 kids. In 4th grade Benny's father encourages him to start playing the clarinet in hopes that his son will have a better life. Benny is a very shy child and does not speak much but he flourishes with his clarinet through music. Soon he is playing in nightclubs and coming home after a few hours with much more money than his father makes in a whole day. Benny continues to astoud audiences with his rich and beautiful sounds but tragically his father is killed. While Benn's family cried over the death of their father, Benny pours his grief into his music and as a result the "King of Swing" is still heard to this day all over the world. This book would lend itself well from ages 4-8. Actually, I think it could go even older depending on the wanted outcome. If you were doing a History lesson on Chicago you could easily use this with older childre, heck I am 37 and I learned a lot from this book that I did not already know. You could also use this book to show how you can put your mind to something and achieve it. Oh, I almost forgot, the illustrations in this book do a great job reflecting the era that this story takes place.

[James Govednik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once Upon a Time in Chicago, by Jonah Winter, pictures by Jeanette Winter
A pleasant and attractive biographical sketch of famous jazz clarinetist and band leader Benny Goodman. The story focuses on Goodman’s father encouraging him to learn an instrument and how Goodman was inspired by his immigrant parents’ struggle to provide for their family. The illustrations are small, in a simple folk-style. The text covers the basics of the story, but I was left wondering about details. I would have liked the text and illustrations to bring out more of the family’s Jewish culture and other historically significant details. Goodman grew up in the Maxwell Street neighborhood, his father worked a miserable job at the stockyards, and one of Goodman’s early music experiences was at Jane Addams’ Hull House. However, these details are omitted and the text keeps to a simplistic “times were hard” style that seems a little bland. Even some end-notes could have provided this information. It seems the text is as scaled down as the illustrations, and thus it misses an opportunity to make a lasting impression. Ages 7-9.

[Mecca Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book about an actually person. The theme of the book was a boy who was trying to earn money to pay for his family through his amazing talent to play the clarinet. He was really good and was making more money than his father was. There were many things that children can learn through this book. They could learn that if you practice, you can become really good at something. They could also learn how to react when a loved one passes away. There were many other things they can learn through the life of Benny Goodman. The age group this book would be good for would be late kindergarden and first grade. Ages 6-7.

[Sara Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a poor, Jewish boy, Benny Goodman, who grew up in Chicago and became a jazz legend. Benny was a quiet kid and enjoyed playing his clarinet more than talking. He began playing in nightclubs and earning his family money.

Winter also weaves a little history about Chicago as well. This book is a very easy read, around a second grade level. I would use this book in a text set for a deeper appreciation of Chicago and the Midwest.

I also like that his book is a biography. I think it’s important for students to read this genre. You never know who might inspire them and what great things they may go onto do.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Benny Goodman finds his love of music when his father takes him to see a band. He takes up the clarinet and is able to make money for his family. His father is able to get an easier job, but end up dieing. Benny deals with his pain through his music.

I did not like the ending, but great story about a fathers influence and encouragement of a talent. Great set up of story from the beginning.

Themes/connections: family, immigrants, instruments, music

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun little picture book about the life of Benny Goodman is appropriate for grades K-4. The story shows how and where he grew up, how he came to play the clarinet, and the tragic loss of his father. It goes on to say that Benny had a long career filled with beautiful music. This book has themes of artistry, tragedy, and family. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars for it's beautiful illustrations and portrayal of a Chicago musical icon.

[Cameron Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't care for this book at all, I don't see much of the reason for it in a classroom. Maybe good for students 2nd-4th grade talking about cultural diversity. But I feel like this book is everywhere and there are many characters that may be used to show character development but even that seems a little far fetch for this book. Overall I would not recommend this book.

[Sarai Clemente · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt heard about Benny Goodman until I read the book. Because of reading it, now I want to hear his type of music. In my opinion, the illustrations are good but I was expecting a bit more from them. However, its a cute story that kids could enjoy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up playing an instrument and loving jazz music. I enjoyed this cute book about the King of Swing, Benny Goodman.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of Benny Goodman. Am really enjoying these picture-book biographies.