Grandpa Jack is in heaven amongst many other jazz greats who are in heaven. All the jazz greats make up the Heaven's All Star band. Some of the members consist of Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gilespie, and Louis Armstrong. The band plays at the Cotton Club. ( )

This story follows a young boy's grandfather who has recently passed. His grandfather loved jazz music! The young boy believes that his grandpa is in heaven playing jazz music with all of Jazz music's greatest legends! He is dancing and singing along with all of the deceased jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington.

I do not know a lot about jazz music, but this did not stop me from not enjoying this book. It is sad that his grandfather died, but it is also wonderful that he gets to be in heaven with jazz legends. This book is also a great way to introduce children to jazz music. It talks about real jazz players and at the end of the book the author gives brief biographies of the artists that are talked about in the book. It introduced me to artists that I was not aware of myself! The illustrations are also incredibly beautiful and very captivating. ( )

I felt like in the beginning of the book it was not obvious grandpa had passed away but once you realize he earned a spot in "heaven's all star band" it then becomes obvious to the reader. It may or may not be obvious to kid readers which is something you could talk about in your interactive read aloud and get the kids really thinking. Jazz music is such a big thing in New Orleans, especially being from here, we really have grown up around it so I enjoyed this one. ( )

This is a beautiful story of what a boy imagines his grandfather's life in heaven is like. His grandfathers favorite things and jazz musicians and singers are all a part of that heaven. This could be a great tool for children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Also, the references to jazz music and musicians would be appropriate for learning about jazz or particular eras in history. The illustrations are fantastic, the thickness of paint and way that objects are layered in each picture adds to how fabulous these pictures are. ( )

In Heaven's All Star Band, Grandpa Jack's grandson imagines him playing with different jazz artists who have passed away playing together up in heaven. He goes through each artist and shows why Grandpa Jack loved them. From Duke Ellington to Ella Fitzgerald, Carter shows what each artist played or how they sang. After Grandpa Jack passes away, he envisions him playing as a member of all star band with all the famous jazz artist.

Carter shows children a way to cope with a loved one passing away. They can envision them up in heaven doing what they loved. The illustrations are particularly special because they are pictures painted and carved out in cardboard. I have never seen picture like this before so this was very interesting to me. ( )