Frankie Liked to Sing

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.