Bebop Express

by H.L. Panahi, Steve Johnson (Illustrator), Lou Fancher (Illustrator)

The whistle's a-blowin',
the engine's a-pumpin' --
conductors are dancin'
and passengers jumpin'!
Quick! Climb aboard
the Bebop Express.

This rockin', rhythmic railroad adventure celebrates the uniqueness of America and the beboppin', doo-woppin' sound of jazz, from jammin' New York City all the way to New Orleans. With bold, powerful art by the "New York Times" best-selling team of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, H. L. Panahi's text comes alive with a pulse and beat all its own.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Trains, Music

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 24, 2005

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story in rhyme, and with rhythm as well, that tells the tale of Jazz, and its uniqueness and originality to the American music industry. - All Aboard!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty fun rhythmical story.

[Lolo Onda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book with my 3rd and 4th grade students and they loved it! What a sweet story with so much energy!

[Brigid Keely · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting into the rhythm of the book while reading it aloud. It's a bit tricky. The art is intriguing, a bit different from most of the kids' books I've seen recently. Niko (my 3 1/2 year old son) enjoyed this book, but mainly because it has a train in it, and people getting on and off the train. I'm going to return it to the library and try it again when he's reading. I think he'll enjoy reading and playing with the language in the book, which IS pretty language.

[Renae Williams]

I had fun coming along the rhythmic journey on the Bebop Express. This book would be great to use during a unit teaching rhyming words and word sounds. This book is fun to read because the word play is "groovy". It has a jazz feel and it made me want to live back in the times when jazz was prominent, it seemed so fun!

[Michelle Marcano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a train that stops in many different stops. When the train stops a new musician enters the train they each play a different instrument. As the train moves all the musicians play Jazz music. This book uses a lot of alliteration and rhyming words. Children will really enjoy getting in the rhythm of the book.

[Atena Oyadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! Great cadence and rhyming, with a nice integration of jazz-based onomatopoeia and standard language. My 4-year-old took to it immediately, and so did I. Also, the collage illustrations are excellent.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

At each stop, the train picks up a new musician until there is a jazz symphony on board. The pictures are amazing collages and there is a rhythm to the words

[Ashley Courtemanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its about a train that stops and at every stop it picks up a new musician. From this book you learn about music and all of the instruments that you use for jazz music.

[Stephanie Smoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very diverse book that mentions historical blues and jazz musicians.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Asher's favorite library books. Very lyrical. He loves music and trains, so this is the perfect combination. Fun to read, too!

[Christen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rhythm, fun pictures, and I know the kids will love chanting Chugga chugga chugga chugga CHOO CHOO! along with me. In my box for my Rhythm and Music storytime.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a rhythm all its own. And did I mention how way cool the illustrations are!?

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I love this book - I find myself singing the words out loud every time.

They've asked for multiple re-reads.

The artwork is also fantastic.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow soon.