Ella Queen of Jazz

K-Gr 2—This bold picture book chronicles Ella Fitzgerald's early rise to stardom and centers on her friendship with Marilyn Monroe. The value of camaraderie and the determination of these two women are the running themes in this narrative. Hancocks explores how their relationship was beneficial for both parties; Monroe opening doors for Fitzgerald to sing at clubs, and Fitzgerald training Monroe to sing in movies. The gouache illustrations are bright with patterns that evoke the stylized advertising posters of the 1950s. Language reminiscent of the period ("the biggest joint in town") is peppered throughout, though it is often exceedingly vague ("some folks didn't want her singing in their club"). A biographical summary of Fitzgerald's and Monroe's lives is presented at the end of the book with a photograph of them together.