ELLA FITZGERALD: The Tale of a Vocal and virtuosa. Ask them also to define and to Jitterbug dancing, spirituals, and bebop are all Virtuosa share what they know about this form of music. mentioned in the text and illustrated by music, Explain that Ella Fitzgerald was one of the greatest words, and pictures. by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian jazz musicians in history and that this program tells Pinkney her life story. Explain also that the story will be told The program's art is drawn in scratchboard, a tech- (Hyperion) from an unusual point of view—an imaginary char- nique children especially enjoy. Show children how Themes: Families, Friendship, Multiculturalism, acter named Scat Cat Monroe. Ask them to listen to cover pieces of illustration board with black ink Music carefully for the feeling of the words as well as the or black crayons, scratch out designs in white, and Grade Level: K-Ð5 words themselves, and to be ready to tell how Scat then add paint over the scratched-out areas. The Running Time: 18 minutes Cat Monroe got his name. process is messy, but it gives children experience with a variety of media and special art effects. SUMMARY AFTER VIEWING ACTIVITIES This program tells the life-story of Ella Fitzgerald Connect the story to American history by discussing from the viewpoint of Scat Cat Monroe, an imagi- Go back over the story to make sure children the Harlem Renaissance and the resulting surge of nary feline. The program is divided into four seg- grasped the main details of Ella Fitzgerald's life. creativity among African American artists, musi- ments. The first segment, "Hoofin' in Harlem," tells Because the story is so imaginatively told, it might cians, and writers. This is an especially fruitful topic about Ella's childhood and her first success, at a con- be helpful to use a more straightforward, who-what- to research online. test at the Harlem Theater. Segments 2 to 4, where-when-why approach in reviewing these "Jammin’ at Yale," "Stompin' at the Savoy," and details. Ask children especially to recall the obsta- Encourage children to interview older people in their "Carnegie Hall Scat," deal with her rise to fame, first cles Ella had to overcome, how her audiences and families and ask them to recall their experiences in the world of jazz and then into the mainstream of music changed over the years, and the people who with jazz, Ella Fitzgerald's music, jitterbug dancing, American music. The narrator's jazzy speech pat- most influenced her life. Make special note of the and other details mentioned in the program. As chil- terns reflect Ella's music, while the illustrations, with specific song titles mentioned in the program. With dren from multicultural backgrounds share their the color palette of Art Deco, communicate the emo- most children, you will want to play the program families' memories of Ella, children will appreciate tions of everyday life during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. more than once. her worldwide fame and musical importance.

OBJECTIVES Other related videos and films available from The program is, of course, an excellent introduction Weston Woods include: ¥ Children will watch and hear an imaginative biog- to Ella Fitzgerald's music and to jazz. Use details DUKE ELLINGTON, by Andrea Davis Pinkney, raphy of Ella Fitzgerald. from the program as starting points. Play recordings illustrated by Brian Pinkney ¥ Children will learn to appreciate jazz. from various stages of Ella's career. Her early hit, "A JAZZTIME, by Maxine Fisher, narrated by Ruby Tisket, A Tasket" is especially effective with chil- Dee BEFORE VIEWING ACTIVITIES dren, since it demonstrates how jazz can be made out of "hopscotch chatter and jump rope jive." Introduce both the title and the subtitle of the pro- Remind children of Scat Cat's name and play exam- gram, making sure children define the words vocal ples of scat by Ella and other musicians. CALL 1-800-243-5020 TO ORDER THESE AND OTHER WESTON WOODS VIDEOS! This guide may be photocopied for free distribution without restriction