11.30.2015

Trombone Shorty

This post joins other
kidlit bloggers at
Nonfiction Monday Roundup
It's Monday!
What are you reading?
at Teacher Mentor Texts
2015 Nonfiction Picture Book
Challenge at KidLitFrenzy

Abrams Books for Young Readers

(pub. 4.14.2015) 40 pages

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor: Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews
           and Illustrator: Bryan Collier
    
C haracter: Trombone Shorty

O verview from the jacket flap: 

    "'Who's that playing out there?,' Bo Diddley asked the New Orleans crowd. It was a small child who'd been nicknamed 'Trombone Shorty' because his trombone was twice as large as he was. Trombone Shorty was lifted in the air and carried through the audience until he reached the stage with Bo Diddley. He has been on stage ever since.
     Hailing from the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans, where music always floated in the air. Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews didn't always have the money to buy an instrument, but he did have the dream to play music. This is the story of how he made his dream take flight."

antalizing taste:  

     "All day long I could see brass bands parade by my house while my neighbors danced along. I loved these parades during Mardi Gras because they made everyone forget about their troubles for a little while. People didn't have a lot of money in Treme, but we always had a lot of music.
     I listened to all these sounds and mixed them together, just like how we make our food. We take one big pot and throw in sausage, crab, shrimp, chicken, vegetables, rice - whatever's in the kitchen - and stir it all together and let it cook. When it's done, it's the most delicious taste you've ever tried. We call it gumbo, and that's what I wanted my music to sound like - different styles combined to create my own musical gumbo!"


and something more:  Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I showed this picture book biography to my son who lived in New Orleans for a few years. And he responded, "Oh yeah! I've heard Trombone Shorty play. He's good!" 

     Of course, that inspired me to listen to Trombone Shorty's music again on his website, and my son's right. Trombone Shorty's good. Really good! And his music reminds me of the incredible vibe in New Orleans of amazing music heard everywhere from clubs to street corners to park benches. I actually first saw this book at a wonderful New Orleans' indie bookstore, Blue Cypress Books, down the street from a favorite restaurant and bar (where we met a fellow writer).

     I was interested to read about the Trombone Shorty Foundation, partnered with Tulane University, whose mission is "to preserve the rich musical history of New Orleans" by providing "music and business education, instruction and a mentorship experience to New Orleans high school students who are gifted in music. Experienced instructors help young underserved musicians express themselves and pursue their dreams while also supporting their community." Terrific!

6 comments:

Jane @ www.raincitylibrarian.ca said...

I really enjoyed this one, such an inspiring story of one person working hard to make their dreams come true.

Thanks for sharing! Have a great week!

Cheriee Weichel said...

I love that you started talking to your son about this book and he had seen Trombone Shorty. Don't you love it when that kind of synchronicity happens? This sounds like a great book. I'm going to try and find a copy to read.

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Jane, Yes, the book tells an inspiring story and it's particularly powerful in that it's told in first person. Thanks for stopping by!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Cheriee,

Thanks for stopping by again! Yes, I too like that synchronicity of connections to books and stories!

Anonymous said...

I loved this book! I enjoyed learning about Trombone Shorty and thought his story was inspirational. It's such a lively and energetic book. Like others, I think it's wonderful when you find real life connections to a book.

Tammy and Clare said...

This is such a great book - Have you read Bird and Diz?