Frankie Liked to Sing

September 7, 2015
Young Frank Sinatra wasn’t like other kids in his Hoboken, N.J., neighborhood: his mother “liked to dress him up fancy” in suits, and he sang constantly—in class, on the street, and while working. Inspired by seeing Bing Crosby perform, Sinatra took voice lessons, then began singing on the radio and recording. Seven gives a punchy overview of Sinatra’s rise to fame (“His voice could make a big tough guy cry. And could make a little guy feel big enough to ask a girl to dance”), while Christy’s illustrations have a light, flowing rhythm, as though echoing Sinatra’s crooning. A substantial endnote supplies additional autobiographical information. Ages 4–8.

August 1, 2015
A picture-book biography of that legendary Jersey boy, Frank Sinatra. The lightly sketched, brightly hued images evoke both the style and spirit of their protagonist, from the 1920s and '30s through the '80s, bearing witness to the title, as in every image, the figure in the suit and fedora is singing. In this homage, the husband-and-wife author-and-illustrator team focuses on how much the Hoboken-born, Italian-American Frank Sinatra loved to sing, even from his earliest days, and how hard he worked in order to sing to more and more people. Brilliant small sketches of his album covers are sprinkled like jewels throughout the pages. Seven and Christy are also good at capturing how Sinatra's voice made his audiences feel: "When Frankie sang, girls screamed with excitement...because his singing made them burst with happiness." His fame in the movies and in recording is touched upon, although no mention is made of his marriages or the unsavory pieces of his life. But because the focus is on the power and influence of his voice, it works. There's even a list of a dozen songs the authors think children will especially love, including "High Hopes" and "Pocketful of Miracles." A remarkably successful lens into the life and career of one of the 20th century's formidable musical talents. (author's note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

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September 1, 2015

Gr 1-3-This upbeat story of Frank Sinatra's early life emphasizes the value of drive and positive thinking. Frankie, as he is referred to, is described as a scrawny, less-than-stellar student, but the boy loved music and was willing to dream big. There are brief references to other musicians of the era who influenced Sinatra, such as Bing Crosby and Tommy Dorsey. Done in a pleasant palette of pastels and primary colors, the illustrations incorporate a balance of curving lines and geometric shapes, juxtaposing the buildings of Hoboken, NJ, with notes that indicate the flow of Sinatra's music. Christy's cartoon-style images feature jaunty hand-drawn lettering, which enriches the reading experience. The text focuses on Sinatra's youth and the moments that drove him to stardom. The thorough back matter includes a detailed author's note, which provides further insight into the singer's life, as well as a list of suggested tunes for young listeners making initial forays into Sinatra's music. VERDICT An enjoyable addition to the recent offerings of music-related picture book biographies.-Maggi Idzikowski, Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2015
Grades 1-3 One thing's clear in this picture-book biography of Frank Sinatra: Frankie was always a singer. Beginning with his childhood, Seven tells how Frankie, a scrawny boy in a suit, sang his way through hardscrabble Hoboken, New Jerseyfrom atop the piano in his father's saloon to all the town's clubsand eventually found fame in New York City, where he sang for huge crowds, put out records, and became known as the Voice. Seven's upbeat account of Sinatra's rise to stardom is primarily concerned with the crooner's hard work and determination as well as the powerful effect his music had on listeners: Frankie's voice was like a reassuring pat on the back. Swaths of musical notes sweep through Christy's illustrations, which make liberal use of smudgy color and smiling faces. An author's note provides more detailed biographical information. Clearly a labor of love, Frankie Liked to Sing is a sweet introduction to the man behind the voice. A Sinatra song list for young listeners is also provided.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)