King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin
By Stephen Costanza
The Story
A quiet, piano-loving boy — the son of a man once enslaved — grows up to compose music so joyful and rhythmic it earns him a new name: the King of Ragtime.
Why It's Special
For the kid who bangs out rhythms on any surface within reach, this is a picture book about where that kind of music comes from and where it can take you.
- Big idea: Music can turn a quiet, overlooked kid into someone the whole world remembers.
- Vibes: Toe-tapping, warm, and full of syncopated energy
Perfect For Kids Who
- love music, rhythm, and clapping along
- are curious about real people from history
- enjoy looking closely at detailed, colorful illustrations
- are working on understanding that quiet kids can do big things
Ask Your Little Reader
- Character: What do you think Scott Joplin heard in his head when he sat down at the piano?
- Real-life connection: Scott's father had been enslaved — what does that make you wonder about Scott's life?
- Imagination: If you could make an instrument laugh like Scott did, what would it sound like?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think it felt for a quiet kid to become known as a king?
- Personal connection: What's a sound or rhythm that makes you want to move your feet?
