School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-4-Based on the Caldecott Honor title, this program centers on Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. As a young boy growing up in New Orleans, he was immersed in music and determined to create it, despite the challenges posed by age and lack of money and equipment. Andrews had his own band by the time he was six, and he earned his nickname from a used trombone that was taller than him. This gifted musician has gone on to an impressive career. Told in the first person and aptly narrated by Arnell Powell's rich voice, this genial presentation includes lively background trombone music. An author's note provides additional information. Bryan Collier's glorious, rich, in-depth illustrations are lightly animated. The animations vary in quality-sometimes creating a perfect mood and other times unnecessarily taking away from the visuals. Nevertheless, this is a joyous homage to cultural roots and to the importance of following and achieving dreams and encouraging those who come after you. VERDICT A solid choice for any program serving children.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The streets of New Orleans are filled with music, and so is the house of Troy Andrews, who narrates the story of his growth into the musician known as Trombone Shorty. Troy dreams of having his own band, and when he finds a battered trombone, he knows he's on his way: "It didn't sound perfect, but finally with a real instrument in my hand, I was ready to play." He brings it to a Bo Diddley concert, and Diddley brings him onstage. Andrews shares the culture of Tremé, his New Orleans neighborhood, punctuating his story's high moments with the traditional greeting-"Where y'at?" Collier's (My Country 'Tis of Thee) collaged illustrations give the story even more joyful power. He paints sound with sunbursts of color, the fragrance of gumbo with misty swirls, and Troy's dreams about the future with bubbles that rise from his bed as he sleeps with his arm around his trombone. If a fairy tale were set in New Orleans, this is how it would read. Ages 4-8. Illustrator's agent: Marcia Wernick, Wernick & Pratt. (Apr.)? © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
