Jazzy Fairy Tales, Volume II: Book & CD

Warm, playful, and swinging. The stories feel like bedtime tales told by someone who genuinely loves jazz, with a gentle rhythm that makes the genre feel like a natural part of storytelling rather than something separate or intimidating.

Classroom teachers in Pre-K through Grade 3 who want to integrate jazz into their instruction without musical training. It also serves music specialists seeking ready-made, engaging material that requires minimal preparation and no instrumental accompaniment beyond the included CD.

• Play the CD during circle time or as an introduction to a music lesson, letting students hear the full stories and songs before attempting any call-and-response sections.
• Encourage students to create their own call-and-response answers to the exercises on the recording; repetition with variation builds confidence and ownership.
• Use the three stories as springboards for movement, visual art, or dramatic play that extends the jazz experience beyond listening and singing.

Use this as a standalone music unit in the early grades, dedicating a few weeks to one story at a time with the CD as your primary instructional tool. It also works beautifully as a Friday afternoon tradition or as part of a broader jazz appreciation unit that might include live performances or visits from local musicians.

• Recognizing jazz rhythms and swing feel
• Participating in call-and-response singing
• Listening comprehension through narrative music
• Building confidence in group singing with a recorded accompaniment
• Understanding jazz vocabulary in age-appropriate context