Ehrhardt, Karen 1963-

Personal

Born 1963. Education: Vermont College, M.F.A. (writing for children and young adults).

Addresses

Home and office—La Honda, CA.

Career

Author. Palo Alto Library, Palo Alto, CA, former staff member.

Awards, Honors

Nick Jr. Award, Nickelodeon magazine, for This Jazz Man.

Writings

This Jazz Man, illustrated by R.G. Roth, Harcourt Children's Books (New York, NY), 2006.

Sidelights

In her first book for children, Karen Ehrhardt introduces young readers to the world of jazz by creating a read-along that mirrors the catchy children's song "This Old Man." This Jazz Man is written in verse form and correlates each number within the song to an array of famous jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charles Mingus. Ehrhardt includes a short biography on each artist in a useful appendix.

In reviewing Ehrhardt's book, several reviewers comment on the author's ability to educate young readers in a fun and engaging manner. In Booklist Gillian Engberg remarked that This Jazz Man provides young readers with "a welcome introduction to the world of jazz" and noted that Ehrhardt's rhyming text "scans with a smooth, toe-tapping tempo." Judith Constantinides, writing in School Library Journal, also commented on the title's educational aspect and Ehrhardt's book as "fun for jazz aficionados and neophytes alike." Adrienne Wiley, reviewing the work for American Music Teacher, also commented on the title's broader appeal to adults

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and wrote of This Jazz Man that "adults will also enjoy the book not only for the appeal of the rhyme and artistic content, but the historical information as well."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

American Music Teacher, April-May 2007, Adrienne Wiley, review of This Jazz Man, p. 87.

Booklist, November 15, 2006, Gillian Engberg, review of This Jazz Man, p. 53.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, March, 2007, Elizabeth Bush, review of This Jazz Man, p. 289.

Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2006, review of This Jazz Man, p. 1069.

Publishers Weekly, October 23, 2006, review of This Jazz Man, p. 48.

School Library Journal, December, 2006, Judith Constantinides, review of This Jazz Man, p. 98.

ONLINE

Harcourt Web site,http://www.harcourtbooks.com/ (October 28, 2007), "Karen Ehrhardt."

Katz Connects Web site,http://www.katzconnects.com/ (October 28, 2007), "Karen Ehrhardt."