Trombone Shorty

 

Bibliography:

 Andrew, Troy. 2015. TROMBONE SHORTY. Ill. by Bryan Collier. Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 1419714651

Plot Summary:

 This is the story of “Trombone Shorty” and how he got his nickname. You hear about New Orleans where Troy grew up and how he made his dream of playing music come to life. The real-life story of Troy Andrews.

Critical Analysis:

 Andrews wrote an autobiography picture book about his beginning. From where he grew up, to where he got his nickname and how he met Bo Diddley and more. The illustrations by Bryan Collier tie in with what it must have really been like through Troy’s eyes as a child. I like how he has the motion of what the smells in the kitchen are doing when making gumbo and the flow of music as it flows out over the crowds.

Review Awards and Excerpt(s):

The Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award-winning picture book.

"This well-told and exquisitely illustrated story of a musician with a steep career trajectory will inspire young readers to pursue their passions, despite the challenges."―Kirkus Reviews

"Collier’s expressive watercolor collages layer and texture each page, creating a mix of images that echo the combination of styles Andrews uses to create his own “musical gumbo'...Read this one aloud to capture the sounds and sights of Trombone Shorty’s New Orleans."―The Horn Book Magazine

"The storytelling is imbued with a touch of storybook glamour and generous humor...Collier’s vibrant mixed-media illustrations ably complement the text with a skillful melding of paint and photo collage that underscore the “gumbo” of street sounds and musical styles that influence Andrews’ works."―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Connections:

 This is a great book to talk about personal narrative writing.

You could use this during Black History Month, when learning about musicians, and when learning about how you can follow your dreams. This book is a book that could be used for a variety of lessons. I think it would be fun to have books about musicians and have the students create instruments.