This masterful picture book will take your children back to 1924 in the legendary pool hall where George Gershwin's brother Ira sees a newspaper announcement for George's new jazz concerto. The only problem is it hasn't been written yet, and the concert is only weeks away! George doesn't remember agreeing to write this concerto for Paul Whitman, but at Whitman's urging, he decides to compose a concerto and later regrets it when the writing becomes a struggle. It took the rhythmic sounds of a train to help him focus his thoughts and visualize the Rhapsody (originally entitled "An Experiment in Modern Music") from beginning to end. Little did Gershwin know that this concerto would become one of his most famous works! Lucky for your family, the story doesn't end with the last page. A CD of the Rhapsody in Blue, performed by George Gershwin in 1925, is included so that your whole family can experience the melting pot of sounds, rhythms, and harmonies described in the story. elise