by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews
As a young boy growing up in New Orleans, Troy Andrews was surrounded by music. His brother played the trumpet and was the leader of a band. Parades marched through the streets during Mardi Gras. Jazz musicians influenced the culture. Troy wanted to be a part of it all. So, at age four, he found a broken trombone and began to play. His brother proudly nicknamed him Trombone Shorty because the trombone was so much larger than Troy was. With lots of practice and a surprise performance with Bo Diddley, Trombone Shorty never looked back! He became a famous musician who actively mentors and inspires other young children.
This book is fun! I could envision music playing in the background as I read this inspiring biographical picture book. The illustrations almost moved before my eyes starting with the swirling sounds collaged on the first page and ending with the radiating trombone blasts on the last. Trombone Shorty himself cleverly mixed the culture of New Orleans into the text by splashing their phrase for saying "hello" to a friend, "where y'at," throughout the book. He states at the beginning his purpose in telling his story: To explain how he got his nickname. However, it is evident that his goal is also to inspire others to be passionate about music and to follow their dreams. Troy's use of simile and metaphor are sensory and culturally effective, especially the one where he links the conglomeration of musical sounds to gumbo. I especially enjoyed the symbolism of the balloons which appeared on multiple pages throughout the book and which metamorphosed into a hot air balloon at the end. This book is well deserving of the Coretta Scott King award!
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Trombone Shorty's official website: http://www.tromboneshorty.com/
Book trailer:
Illustrator, Bryan Collier's website: http://www.bryancollier.com/
An interview with Bryan Collier:
