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Jazz Fly

Jazz Fly 2: The Jungle Pachanga

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This awaited sequel to the multiple-award winning original Jazz Fly combines witty illustrations, rhythmic narration and irresistible music provided by a jazz quintet. The jazz-scatting Fly and his insect band need a ride to the tropical pachanga, or dance party. A sloth, spider monkey and macaw can help but only if the band chants the right Spanish words. Can one part jazz and one part Spanish make a language problem vanish? Find out how the Fly s creativity saves El Termite Nook from destruction. Jumping with bongo drums, conga drums, sax solos and more, this spirited--and funny-- adventure welcomes listeners to Spanish and Latin jazz.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2010

25 people want to read

About the author

Matthew Gollub

18 books5 followers

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5 stars
29 (55%)
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13 (25%)
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8 (15%)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Audrey.
87 reviews39 followers
January 25, 2011
If you're wondering what you can give a child that will make the most positive difference in his or her life, you can begin by giving a gift that will teach them diversity. Matthew Gollub has been writing children's books for years and each one teaches how life is different for each and every one of us. Some of his books have become classics and The Jazz Fly 2, The Jungle Pachanga is destined for that same path.

Matthew Gollub's book comes with its own audio CD that lets your child listen to the story including a variety of sounds such as percussion, piano, bongos and saxophone. The music is irresistible to children ages four and up and you'll delight when you see your child wiggle, jump and dance along with the creative songs.

The story is narrated by Gollub himself and written in English. It is also peppered with Spanish phrases that make the Latin jazz music come to life - along with the little insects featured in the book.

Jazz Fly 2 is the long awaited sequel to The Jazz Fly. In Gollub's newest offering, the fly and his band need a ride to a tropical "pachanga" (dance party), but are very much aware of the dangers lurking just outside.

The fly must find the correct Spanish words to chant for the spider monkey, macaw and sloth before they will help him get to the Pachanga safely. It's a rollicking story that your children will love and want to play or read over and over again.

If your child decides to read the book and leaf through the pages, he or she will delight in the colorful illustrations and clever characters. They'll see new words in Spanish and crazy words such as "Skiddily Bop!" as they read along.

It's somewhat odd to have a sequel to a child's book, but Gollub thought it was called for when he began to receive requests for one. The original Jazz Fly book - which also comes with an audio CD - has been a best seller and many wrote that it was their favorite children's book.

Gollub came up with a way to write the sequel in a way that would expand his young readers' musical horizons and reading abilities. The original Jazz Fly introduced "scat" language and be-bop jazz, so Gollub decided to add some Spanish words and Latin jazz to the new book.

The result, The Jazz Fly 2, The Jungle Pachanga, is a delightful read and a cleverly put together story that kids from 4 to 94 will love. Matthew Gollub is witty and original and keeps on producing a product that rises above the last. The book is a well-deserved winner of the International Book Awards.

Review by Lauren Smith

This review covers Jazz Fly 2 by Matthew Gollub.

Article Source: Bring Some Diversity Into Your Child's Life
Profile Image for Steph.
537 reviews53 followers
May 4, 2011
I thought this book was absolutely adorable! Not only is it very creative and illustrative, it also teaches children Spanish and jazz music. Having 7 years of Spanish study under my belt, I can certainly appreciate the bilingual tone that resonated throughout the book. I also happen to be a fan of jazz music, so this was right up my alley. Even though I'm a college student, I found this to be an excellent book for children.
2 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2021
The Jazz Fly 2 is a great book for parents, teachers, or music therapists that want a fun children's book paired with exciting swing and Latin rhythms. There's no age too young to introduce syncopation, clave beats, and other cultures' instruments and sound. The book itself has vibrant colors, silly characters, and everything needed to keep your little one's attention on the book. The author's note at the back is also great for those who want to dive deeper into the music, language, and story and allows one to easily adapt this book into a day long learning experience for children.

-Harmony Garden Music Therapy Services
Profile Image for Maria Corbett.
2 reviews
January 25, 2018
I read this book to 4 and 5 year-old children and they absolutely loved it. It's rhymes are great and children laughed at the fun Spanish and Jazz words together. My audience (and I) are bilingual and multicultural, so we really connected with the sounds and words of this wonderful book. Even if some of the children were not familiarized with Spanish, they were amused by the language and tones of tones of the reading.
Profile Image for Beth.
189 reviews4 followers
January 3, 2018
Too much going on here.... best to use the audio CD that comes with it. We have the fly buzzing, the sounds of jazz and a pile of spanish all mixed together. A hard read-aloud for me but a ton of fun listening to the audio
46 reviews
October 22, 2013
This remarkable narrative is a Spanish and musical jazz lesson all in one. The story line surrounds a band of insects whose limousine has broken down, and they have a gig at the termite club the same day. The only way they are able to navigate through the jungle and get to their gig on time is by learning to speak Spanish to the native animals within the jungle. Gollub creates the most interesting rhyming jazz phrases called skats that sound even better when reading along with the book’s CD. Gollub also builds the reader’s vocabulary as he introduces the names of the instruments that the band uses within the fly’s conversation. The fun dialogue between the band and the natives will keep you laughing while being engaged with Hanke’s elaborate illustrations, wonderful colors, and her transformations of the jungle into a beauty night club. As a teacher, I will use this text when I am introducing my students to Spanish along with the music and movement time which involves them dancing. This book can allow children to have fun while learning Spanish along with a few jazz elements.
Profile Image for Ezi Chinny.
2,702 reviews534 followers
November 18, 2012
I received this book through LibraryThing member giveaway and I am thankful for it.
I played the CD for my 2yr and 4yr old kids along with their 5yr cousin. My children enjoyed the music and preferred to dance and repeat "Choo-ka ting" than go over the actual pages of the book. The cousin on the other hand, really enjoyed the book along with the music. He loved the colors, "the bugs" and story-telling. So for that reason, I recommend this book for about 5 yrs and older.

I really enjoyed the book as a parent. The story was easy to follow and entertaining. I loved the bilingual nature, the story and beat of the music. This children's book is a great introduction to jazz music and to Spanish words beyond numbers, colors and fruit that my kids learn in school.
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book669 followers
May 16, 2013
This is a strange, but entertaining book that features jazzy songs and animal characters. We enjoyed playing the music on the CD while we followed along with the book.

The illustrations are cartoonish and colorful and complement the song nicely. Spanish words are sprinkled liberally throughout and give the tale a latin flavor.

Our youngest borrowed this book from her elementary school library and she really enjoyed the music. We have not discovered The Jazz Fly: Starring the Jazz Bugs With CD , but I will look for it at our local library.
2,325 reviews38 followers
March 8, 2011
I thought the book was cute and than listened to cd and loved it. can not wait to share it with others. its in english,spanish and jazz languages the music has quite a rythem to it. I was given the book in exchange for honest review. the art work is cute colorful and children will like it. it would be hard for me to read the spanish words correct but the cd will take care of that. highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Susan.
57 reviews4 followers
December 27, 2013
Loved this book much more than its predecessor. The story seemed much more involved, as it introduced us to the animals of the South American jungle, and added a Latin rhythm, and some Spanish.

I wish I didn't like its Latin sequel so much more than the original, but I can't help myself it seems! Lovely pictures, and while some of the translation was a little off, it was still a lovely read.

Definitely enhanced by the CD that is included.
Profile Image for KidsFiction Teton County Library.
274 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2010
Kay's rating 5 stars
Teton County Libray location: J CD Book Short Gollub, M

I love the Jazz Fly! I could see this as a theatrical musical production. Children will enjoy the rhythm and nonsensical words in the story. What a wonderful introduction to Spanish language and a Latin jazz beat. It makes you smile and snap your fingers to the beat.
Profile Image for Theresa.
8,395 reviews137 followers
November 23, 2015
Jazz Fly 2: The Jungle Pachanga: Hardcover Book with Audio CD [With CD (Audio)]
by Matthew Gollub
a combination of Jazz and Spanish. this book takes the character of the Jazz fly to South America to learn about Spanish culture and music.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews