Theo and the Blue Note

by Peter Kuper

Even though he only knows one note, Theo the cat wants to play the saxophone and gets a chance of a lifetime to jam with such jazz greats as Charlie Porker and Duck Ellington when a rocket ship takes him to the moon.

Genres: Music, Picture Books, Childrens, Jazz

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Peter Kuper is an American alternative comics artist and illustrator, renowned for his politically charged, socially conscious, and often autobiographical work. He co-founded the influential anthology World War 3 Illustrated, and is best known for his long-running reinvention of Spy vs. Spy for Mad magazine from 1997 to 2022. Kuper has produced numerous graphic novels, including award-winning adaptations of Franz Kafka’s Give It Up! and The Metamorphosis, as well as autobiographical works like Stop Forgetting To Remember and Diario de Oaxaca, documenting life, travel, and social struggles. His illustration work has appeared on covers and in publications such as Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. Kuper’s style often merges comics and illustration techniques, with both wordless narratives and text-driven storytelling, reflecting his belief that the two disciplines are inseparable. He has traveled extensively across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia, often documenting these experiences in sketchbook journals. Kuper has taught courses on comics and illustration at the Parsons School of Design, the School of Visual Arts, and Harvard University’s first class on graphic novels. He has received numerous awards, including recognition from the Society of Newspaper Designers, the Society of Illustrators, and Eisner and NCS awards for his work. His comics combine sharp political commentary, personal observation, and inventive visual storytelling, establishing him as a prominent figure in contemporary alternative comics and illustration.

Reviews

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theo loves playing the saxophone and his practices and practices, but can only play one blue note.

Then on the night of the full moon he finds a rocket outside his room. In it he goes to the moon and meets a bunch of jazz greats (Chimp Baker, Charlie Porker, Nat King Cobra, and others). With them, he learns to play all sorts of different blue notes (indigo, sky, prussian, etc.).

[Mickey Bits · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little weird and artsy/fartsy

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the layout of the publication information (in the shape of a musical note) with the flag "So, what's a BLUE NOTE?It's a flatted note, especially the third or seventh note
of a scale. To hear it, just listen to jazz music". I love the dedication: "For Emily, the Heppest cat I know...My beret is off to Jules Feiffer, Emily Russell, Jim Rosenberger, Julie Grau, Betty Russell, John Thomas, Ryan Inzana, Joy Peskin, Jim Hoover, Regina Hayes, Denise Cronin, Cathy Young, Eve, Grandt, Rocky Maffit, Garin Thomas, Kevin Pyle, Scott Cunningham, Thelonious Monk, Lionel Hampton, Chico O'Farrill, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Chet Baker,and Max Roach" A great list of Jazz greats to listen to. This one gets the award for the most PUNNY Jazz Musicials,
Duck Ellington, Cimp Baker, Carlie Porker, Nat King Cobra. Max Roach, Lionel Hamster, Duck Ellington, and Elephants Gerald with posters by Billy-Goat Holiday and Moles Davis.

Just fun!

[Maria Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this creative story; loved the art even more!

Materials used: “stencils, spray paint, watercolors, colored pencils, and collage”
Typeface used: unlisted

[Donna Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo loved playing his sax. He was feeling blue because he only knew how to play that one blue note. Theo who played only the blue note was amazed to find the band of his dream which are, Charlie Porker, Nat King Cobra, Duck Ellington, and more in the rocket ship, after he stumbles upon a jukebox. The band shared their notes with Theo and it was revealed all Theo needed was his own blue note, thanks to the band.

Learning Experience: The children can create different instruments and share the instruments. The children can make music together. On another day, they can show and tell, something from home.

[Leilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teo y la nota azul es el mejor cuento corto que me he topado hasta ahora.
Aborda la música desde una perspectiva inocente y amigable, me parece un libro genial para todo tipo de niños, pero en especial para los pequeños músicos que han crecido en el ambiente musical e incluso para quienes se van adentrando en la música recientemente. Me encanta que tiene referencias a grandes músicos y los iluminan brindándoles una nota a cada cual como característica.
Súper recomendado para todos!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theo the cat is sad because, unlike his music idols, he can only play one blue note on his saxaphone. One day, he finds a spaceship in his backyard and takes a trip to a far-out place where he finds out how that blue note really matters. Cameo by Duck Ellington!

[Kimberly L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thius book is good for teaching children to accept their abilities to do things. The book is a great toolfor making children aware that sometimes it takes all of the little parts to make something special; every SMALL part is equally important to make a WHOLE.

[Bethany Livengood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for children to learn about music, but also tells the story of how Theo used his small talents for a bigger cause. A great concept for children to learn!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has quickly become one of my favorite books. It's great for Black History Month and leading into music culture.