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That Swingin' Sound!
The Musical Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Illustrated by Ken Daley
Table of Contents
About The Book
This rhythmic read-aloud picture book biography that’s “as dynamic as it is informative” (BCCB, starred review) dances through the musical childhoods of jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, their rise to stardom, and the friendship that kept them swingin’.
Ella Fitzgerald loved to dance. When little Ella heard jazz music, the music notes moved her legs as she twirled around New York City. Way down south, Louis Armstrong loved to sing. When jazz music played, young Louis’s voice rumbled like a steam train in New Orleans. While Ella dreamed of dancing on stage and Louis of being a famous singer, it wasn’t until they switched things up that they became famous, Ella for singing and Louis playing the trumpet.
The two jazz musicians had heard of each other, but never had a chance to meet. Until one magical night when they took the stage together, the music started to swing, and a lifelong musical friendship was born.
This true story about world-renowned jazz artists Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s musical partnership is a testament to the power of dreams, music, and friendship to help us all keep playing on.
Ella Fitzgerald loved to dance. When little Ella heard jazz music, the music notes moved her legs as she twirled around New York City. Way down south, Louis Armstrong loved to sing. When jazz music played, young Louis’s voice rumbled like a steam train in New Orleans. While Ella dreamed of dancing on stage and Louis of being a famous singer, it wasn’t until they switched things up that they became famous, Ella for singing and Louis playing the trumpet.
The two jazz musicians had heard of each other, but never had a chance to meet. Until one magical night when they took the stage together, the music started to swing, and a lifelong musical friendship was born.
This true story about world-renowned jazz artists Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s musical partnership is a testament to the power of dreams, music, and friendship to help us all keep playing on.
About The Author
Photograph by Alain Milotti
Dr. Rekha S. Rajan is a musician, classically trained opera singer, and the USA TODAY bestselling author of over fifteen books for kids and adults, including the This Is Music board book series, Can You Dance Like a Peacock?, Amazing Landmarks, That Swingin’ Sound!, and The Numbers Race. She has a doctorate and a master’s in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a master’s in education from Roosevelt University, where she also received a bachelor’s degree in music. Rekha lives in Chicago with her husband and children. Learn more at RekhaSRajan.com.
About The Illustrator
Photo courtesy of the illustrator
Ken Daley’s art has been featured in children’s books, print publications, and exhibitions across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. He is the illustrator of picture books including Saturday Morning at the ’Shop by Keenan Jones, That Swingin’ Sound by Rekha S. Rajan, Granny’s Kitchen by Sadé Smith, and Black Boy, Black Boy by Ali Kamanda and Jorge Redmond. Ken lives in Ontario. Visit him at KenDaleyArt.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Beach Lane Books (October 14, 2025)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665957045
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
Even young readers who may not be familiar with jazz, Fitzgerald, or Armstrong will come away from the book with a sense of what their bright, brilliant music was like, as Daley’s illustrations show the very streets and buildings shimmying and twisting in time to soaring ribbons of musical notes, dancing lights, and sonic exuberance.... VERDICT A rousing tribute to two influential musical greats and the swinging sounds they made together.
– School Library Journal, 10/24/25
Rajan’s text is straightforward yet poetic... Daley’s digital renderings in vibrant colors burst with captivating images of New York and New Orleans jazz scenes. Musical notes dispersed throughout double-page spreads provide cohesion.
– Horn Book, November/December 2025
This story about the musical friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong swings and sways on the page, with words pouring across spreads, begging to be sung aloud at a storytime or accompanied by dance and music. Painterly digital illustrations make the music visible as it sweeps like a vibrantly colored wind through the story.... The book is as dynamic as it is informative, and it may convince more than a few young artists of the joy of collaborative work.
– BCCB, starred review, October 2025
[D]ynamic text and electric-hued illustrations echo the rhythm and energy of their [Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald's] collaboration....a lively introduction to two icons whose friendship helped shape American music.
– Publishers Weekly, 9/22/2025
A zippy and tuneful dual biography of innovative jazz collaborators.
– Kirkus, July 15, 2025
Awards and Honors
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): That Swingin' Sound!
Fixed Layout eBook 9781665957045
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Author Photo (jpg): Rekha S Rajan Photograph by Alain Milotti(0.1 MB)
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