What do you think?
Rate this book
The Django
Jean longs to play the banjo, but the Django keeps on messing things up! So Jean sends the Django away, but wonders if he has lost his most precious inspiration.
In this fictional story inspired by the famous jazz musician Jean "Django" Reinhardt, a young boy named Jean meets a special character called the Django. He’s fun and exciting, but he always gets Jean into trouble. Eventually the Django has to be sent away, and Jean misses him very much, until he discovers that he can still feel close to the Django every time he picks up his banjo. This picture book debut by an exciting talent includes a page of factual information about the real Django Reinhardt.
In this fictional story inspired by the famous jazz musician Jean "Django" Reinhardt, a young boy named Jean meets a special character called the Django. He’s fun and exciting, but he always gets Jean into trouble. Eventually the Django has to be sent away, and Jean misses him very much, until he discovers that he can still feel close to the Django every time he picks up his banjo. This picture book debut by an exciting talent includes a page of factual information about the real Django Reinhardt.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Levi Pinfold
30 books74 followersLevi Pinfold was born in the Forest of Dean. From a young age he loved books and comics and spent many of his days drawing and writing his own stories.
At the age of seven, Levi went to watercolour classes where he was introduced to the medium that he still works in. His love of stories, painting and the work of illustrators such as Maurice Sendak, Alan Lee and Dave McKean led him to study Illustration at the University College Falmouth, where he developed narrative illustrations in his own style - a stunning, stylised realism - creating his imagery from imagination.
Alongside painting, Levi writes stories in his spare time. Since graduating from University in 2006, Levi has worked as a self employed illustrator. The Django, his debut picture book, is inspired by Levi's love of music.
Levi won The Booktrust Early Years Award in the Best Emerging Illustrator Category for 2010 for The Django.
Levi is also one of 10 illustrators to win the Booktrust Best New Illustrators Award 2011.
His second picture book for Templar, Black Dog, was published in November 2011 to critical acclaim.
Levi is now living in Australia and working on a new picture book for Templar slated for 2014 publication.
Illustration Technique
Creating stories is an organic process for Levi. Sometimes he does a drawing and then the story might come afterwards which is common with people who write and illustrate. He likes to get the text finalised before he starts on illustrations.
Levi works up detailed roughs to arrange the order of illustrations so that both he and his publisher know what they are getting before he starts the long process of painting. He typically takes from one to three weeks on each illustration as he likes to paint a lot of detail as he enjoyed detailed illustrations as a child. As a child he absorbed himself in books and comics which were big influences on him as he grew up, as well as fine art as an adult.
Levi grew up on Roald Dahl and Morris Sendak, John Burningham, Pat Hutchins, and was obsessed with Clocks, Clocks and More Clocks. He now loves painters like Breugel, David Friedrich and the Romantics. He says that if you cast your net as wide as you can you can take bits from other artists. You can see what’s possible.
The Django was painted in watercolours and gouache and his latest book, Black Dog, is painted in tempera – a mix of pigment with egg and water which has the same light touch as gouache but you can lay down dark underwashes with.
At the age of seven, Levi went to watercolour classes where he was introduced to the medium that he still works in. His love of stories, painting and the work of illustrators such as Maurice Sendak, Alan Lee and Dave McKean led him to study Illustration at the University College Falmouth, where he developed narrative illustrations in his own style - a stunning, stylised realism - creating his imagery from imagination.
Alongside painting, Levi writes stories in his spare time. Since graduating from University in 2006, Levi has worked as a self employed illustrator. The Django, his debut picture book, is inspired by Levi's love of music.
Levi won The Booktrust Early Years Award in the Best Emerging Illustrator Category for 2010 for The Django.
Levi is also one of 10 illustrators to win the Booktrust Best New Illustrators Award 2011.
His second picture book for Templar, Black Dog, was published in November 2011 to critical acclaim.
Levi is now living in Australia and working on a new picture book for Templar slated for 2014 publication.
Illustration Technique
Creating stories is an organic process for Levi. Sometimes he does a drawing and then the story might come afterwards which is common with people who write and illustrate. He likes to get the text finalised before he starts on illustrations.
Levi works up detailed roughs to arrange the order of illustrations so that both he and his publisher know what they are getting before he starts the long process of painting. He typically takes from one to three weeks on each illustration as he likes to paint a lot of detail as he enjoyed detailed illustrations as a child. As a child he absorbed himself in books and comics which were big influences on him as he grew up, as well as fine art as an adult.
Levi grew up on Roald Dahl and Morris Sendak, John Burningham, Pat Hutchins, and was obsessed with Clocks, Clocks and More Clocks. He now loves painters like Breugel, David Friedrich and the Romantics. He says that if you cast your net as wide as you can you can take bits from other artists. You can see what’s possible.
The Django was painted in watercolours and gouache and his latest book, Black Dog, is painted in tempera – a mix of pigment with egg and water which has the same light touch as gouache but you can lay down dark underwashes with.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 9, 2015
Not enough people are aware of the extremely talented Levi Pinfold and they should be. He's possibly more famous for Black Dog which is wonderful but The Django is where his career as a children's book author and illustrator is where it all started.
Although this is an ode to jazz musician, Jean 'Django' Reinhardt who was born into a French-speaking Romany family, there is much more to this book than at first meets the eye. In the story, little Jean is haunted by the mischief-making Django who is constantly getting him into trouble. What he is and why is he is questions that I want to explore more with others and I get the feeling that this would make a perfect shared read for the class; especially after reading a little about the author and his muse.
Although this is an ode to jazz musician, Jean 'Django' Reinhardt who was born into a French-speaking Romany family, there is much more to this book than at first meets the eye. In the story, little Jean is haunted by the mischief-making Django who is constantly getting him into trouble. What he is and why is he is questions that I want to explore more with others and I get the feeling that this would make a perfect shared read for the class; especially after reading a little about the author and his muse.
January 5, 2019
I wanted to love this. But the author's note, a biography of the real-life Django, only makes me more confused about the story. If the reader interprets the existence of little troublemaker as real, what does it signify? If, otoh, it really is the boy making all that trouble, what does that mean? I've tried several by Pinfold and we just aren't simpatico, I guess. Beautiful artwork, though, so detailed and appealing.
January 27, 2021
Memorably detailed illustrations bring this tale of a magical trickster to life.
October 27, 2021
Loved the illustrations and story, but not as much as his book Black Dog. Love the level of detail in the pictures which makes a fun treasure hunt of details. Story good, and would be good to spark conversations if there really was a Django, or maybe it was the child? Glad I have it in my personal library, now I just need a grandchild to read it to.
I would say look at and read this book from your library or bookstore, but definitely buy Black Dog. I feel like this author is just getting started, and look forward to future books from him.
I would say look at and read this book from your library or bookstore, but definitely buy Black Dog. I feel like this author is just getting started, and look forward to future books from him.
February 7, 2015
I didn't enjoy the illustrations as much as Black Dog, but they were still very interesting with lots of little things hidden within them. The story seemed to be a folktale about a being called the Django that like music and playing pranks. However, the afterword gave background information on a person named Django who was a famous jazz musician. I guess I'm just confused by whether the real Django was supposed to be the little boy in the story...or the Django. Odd.
January 20, 2016
It could be the filmic qualities and Bruegel-esque level of detail in the illustrations. It could be the impulsive behaviours and laugh aloud humour. It could be the beautifully realised father son relationship. It could be the romantic Romany gypsy setting. It could be the playful, colloquial dialogue. It could be the unpredictable storyline. It could be that I share a house with three jazz enthusiasts. Any or all of these factors may have influenced my high opinion. Or there could be a Django making me say this. You really best look for yourself!
July 26, 2010
A variant on "The Cat In The Hat" where a boy has to deal with the arrival of a mysterious mischief maker. The story in this picture book is not nearly as compelling as the illustrations that place the protagonist in a commune of gypsy wagons. On a more thematic level the author does approach the need for resolving the dual nature of the mortal individual.
I'm also a sucker for anything with a banjo on the cover.
I'm also a sucker for anything with a banjo on the cover.
October 28, 2021
While the illustrations are fantastic the story is confusing and I didn't understand why readers were supposed to feel badly for the naughty little Django. The afterward while interesting made me even more confused, supposedly this story was written in the spirit of a famous banjo player who lost the several fingers in a fire. Why not just tell that story? That would have been a great read.
October 25, 2017
The illustrations in this book are incredible! true works of art and incredibly detailed. The story follows a young boy, Jean, and a mischievous Django and the trouble it causes Jean (or is it just Jean blaming the Django?). Inspired by a hero of Levi Pinfold, this book is wonderful, perfect for use as a Big Book during storytime in class. Loved it.
March 18, 2010
Weird, but I think I like it. Young Jean, a Romany who lives in a caravan with his parents, is plagued by a Django, a michievous doll-like sprite only he can see. He is blamed for all the Django's tomfoolery, and finally sends it away. Then he's sad, then his dad gives him a banjo, and then that's pretty much the end.
Hey, not every picture book needs to make a lot of sense.
There are some fancy fun words in here to make reading aloud a treat, and the watercolor illustrations are detailed and gorgeous and just waiting for an award.
Hey, not every picture book needs to make a lot of sense.
There are some fancy fun words in here to make reading aloud a treat, and the watercolor illustrations are detailed and gorgeous and just waiting for an award.
February 13, 2022
I was drawn to the story because of its focus on the banjo and the famous musician Django Reinhardt. I found the detailed illustrations and the author’s notes on the musician engaging. The narrative and the characters, not so much.
Before reading, I thought that the Django’s dark skin was a nod to the banjo’s cultural origins. I thought, maybe we’ll get some ethnomusicology from this story. Nope. The Django’s shenanigans are random and the reader gets no context, no explanation, no history. It’s not until you read the author’s notes that you get some information about the Gypsy Jazz innovator.
This story left me feeling puzzled all around and, more importantly, made me feel uncomfortable with the looks of the Django and the message it could send to children.
Before reading, I thought that the Django’s dark skin was a nod to the banjo’s cultural origins. I thought, maybe we’ll get some ethnomusicology from this story. Nope. The Django’s shenanigans are random and the reader gets no context, no explanation, no history. It’s not until you read the author’s notes that you get some information about the Gypsy Jazz innovator.
This story left me feeling puzzled all around and, more importantly, made me feel uncomfortable with the looks of the Django and the message it could send to children.
March 7, 2022
Underbara bilder!
March 7, 2022
Fun illustrations, but I don't really like the plot.
October 24, 2023
Bought this for the rich, absorbing artwork. Levi Pinfold is a master of picture books.
July 10, 2024
I absolutely had fun reading this with a Louisiana accent lol.
April 3, 2016
First of all, I am an adult, and I love this book! I got it for my little cousins to read and I enjoyed the illustrations so much that I wanted to read it before giving it to them. It's partially inspired by Django Reinhardt, who interestingly enough has a unique story to him himself. Django itself is filled with magical realism, and I enjoyed the motive behind the story. Wonderfully written, I highly recommend for parents or young readers!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2010
A boy takes the fall for the doings of the django, a boggarty sort or creature no one else sees. In the author's note we learn that the boy is inspired by the childhood of Django Reinhardt. The illustrations are lovely, and in the spreads detailing the mischief caused, it is quite easy to play spot the django.
May 21, 2013
My son really liked this book about a little creature that causes a lot of mischief. He is eight and doesn't often ask to have a book read again, but two days after we first read this one he asked to read it again. It is a book that will probably appeal to boys more than girls, but the setting is homey and the ending is a good one.
December 12, 2012
This book can be used to introduce children to music and specifically the banjo. It's inspired by the jazz musician, Jean "Django" Reinhardt. Plus since Django grew up as a French-speaking Romany or gypsy, I think children would be interested to learn about that unique culture.
February 14, 2015
Pair with Django
June 27, 2013
The banjo on the cover got my attention. Superb illustrations. A delightful tale and nice intro to jazz great, Django Reinhardt.
"A banjo's much more fun if you can play it... " So true!
"A banjo's much more fun if you can play it... " So true!
January 23, 2014
Great story and illustrations.
May 18, 2016
Gorgeous illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews