07/23/2018
In this companion to Trombone Shorty, musician Trombone Shorty returns to his childhood in New Orleans. After forgetting rehearsal with the 5 O’Clock Band (so named because of their starting time), Shorty believes he isn’t responsible enough to be a bandleader. Walking with his trombone through his neighborhood, Shorty meets friends who offer advice, kindness, and inspiration. Musician Tuba Tremé says: “If you understand tradition and you keep it alive, you will be a great bandleader.” Lola, known as “the Creole Queen” for her legendary cooking, teaches him that loving what you do is all that matters. Shorty voices his thoughts in a manner that can feel inauthentic: “I promise I’ll never let you down again,” Shorty tells his bandmates. “But I learned that we have all the ingredients we need for success.” The author’s affection for New Orleans flows through his writing, and Collier’s collage-filled, textural paintings capture the rhythm and spirit of the city. Ages 4–8. (June)
**STARRED REVIEW** "Andrews's second collaboration with illustrator Bryan Collier is, indeed, something beautiful . . . Troy Andrews's tribute to New Orleans and the music it has created is melodious and invigorating. Bryan Collier's visual interpretation carries the audience along on a distinctive and beautiful parade, much like the popular musical parades of New Orleans. The combo of text and illustration is well-tuned, and readers of any age are sure to find themselves thoroughly entertained."
"Andrews's second collaboration with illustrator Bryan Collier is, indeed, something beautiful . . . Troy Andrews's tribute to New Orleans and the music it has created is melodious and invigorating. Bryan Collier's visual interpretation carries the audience along on a distinctive and beautiful parade, much like the popular musical parades of New Orleans. The combo of text and illustration is well-tuned, and readers of any age are sure to find themselves thoroughly entertained."
**STARRED REVIEW** "Fans of Andrews’ Trombone Shorty (2015) will cheer over Shorty’s illuminating return."
"The impulse is to linger on the page to soak in the warmth of the illustrations as much as it is to exclaim “Where y’at!” every time that phrase appears in the dialogue."
**STARRED REVIEW** "Fans of Andrews’ Trombone Shorty (2015) will cheer over Shorty’s illuminating return."
**STARRED REVIEW** "Fans of Andrews’ Trombone Shorty (2015) will cheer over Shorty’s illuminating return."—Booklist
**STARRED REVIEW** "Fans of Andrews’ Trombone Shorty (2015) will cheer over Shorty’s illuminating return."—Booklist
"Andrews's second collaboration with illustrator Bryan Collier is, indeed, something beautiful . . . Troy Andrews's tribute to New Orleans and the music it has created is melodious and invigorating. Bryan Collier's visual interpretation carries the audience along on a distinctive and beautiful parade, much like the popular musical parades of New Orleans. The combo of text and illustration is well-tuned, and readers of any age are sure to find themselves thoroughly entertained."—Shelf Awareness
"Andrews's second collaboration with illustrator Bryan Collier is, indeed, something beautiful . . . Troy Andrews's tribute to New Orleans and the music it has created is melodious and invigorating. Bryan Collier's visual interpretation carries the audience along on a distinctive and beautiful parade, much like the popular musical parades of New Orleans. The combo of text and illustration is well-tuned, and readers of any age are sure to find themselves thoroughly entertained."—Shelf Awareness
"In this beautiful companion to the award-winning Trombone Shorty, the author shares his love and appreciation for his hometown of New Orleans and the musical heritage that exists there . . . Collier’s exquisite artwork rendered in pen and ink, watercolor, and collage brings readers into the heart of the city that Andrews so dearly loves. These complex and layered illustrations complement the story perfectly, honoring the vibrancy of New Orleans."—School Library Journal
"In this beautiful companion to the award-winning Trombone Shorty, the author shares his love and appreciation for his hometown of New Orleans and the musical heritage that exists there . . . Collier’s exquisite artwork rendered in pen and ink, watercolor, and collage brings readers into the heart of the city that Andrews so dearly loves. These complex and layered illustrations complement the story perfectly, honoring the vibrancy of New Orleans."—School Library Journal
"Collier's characteristic collage illustrations effectively represent Troy's emotional struggle for self-improvement, and the level of detail in the images portrays the liveliness of New Orleans well . . . An excellent story about a man who remembers the community he came from and actively works to ensure its future success."—Kirkus Reviews
"Collier's characteristic collage illustrations effectively represent Troy's emotional struggle for self-improvement, and the level of detail in the images portrays the liveliness of New Orleans well . . . An excellent story about a man who remembers the community he came from and actively works to ensure its future success."—Kirkus Reviews
"The author’s affection for New Orleans flows through his writing, and Collier’s collage-filled, textural paintings capture the rhythm and spirit of the city."—Publishers Weekly
"The author’s affection for New Orleans flows through his writing, and Collier’s collage-filled, textural paintings capture the rhythm and spirit of the city."—Publishers Weekly
"The impulse is to linger on the page to soak in the warmth of the illustrations as much as it is to exclaim “Where y’at!” every time that phrase appears in the dialogue."—The Horn Book
"The impulse is to linger on the page to soak in the warmth of the illustrations as much as it is to exclaim “Where y’at!” every time that phrase appears in the dialogue."—The Horn Book
05/01/2018
K-Gr 4—In this beautiful companion to the award-winning Trombone Shorty, the author shares his love and appreciation for his hometown of New Orleans and the musical heritage that exists there. Based on his own experiences as a boy, Andrews shares with readers the story of Shorty and his friends, members of the 5 O'Clock Band, who love to parade down the street and through their neighborhood of Tremé playing music each afternoon after school. One day Shorty gets so involved in his practicing that he's late to the rendezvous point and is left wondering if he really has what it takes to be a bandleader. As he wanders in search of his mates, Shorty encounters a number of beloved neighbors, including Tube Tremé and Big Chief, who each offer him a salient piece of advice to consider. He's reminded of the importance of tradition, love, and dedication. Andrews provides some information on the history of the Mardi Gras Indians in the back matter; however, librarians will want to provide additional resources for readers. Collier's exquisite artwork rendered in pen and ink, watercolor, and collage brings readers into the heart of the city that Andrews so dearly loves. These complex and layered illustrations complement the story perfectly, honoring the vibrancy of New Orleans. VERDICT Consider this beautiful book wherever Andrews's Trombone Shorty is popular.—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT
2018-03-27
"Trombone Shorty" Andrews (with an authorial assist from Taylor) and illustrator Collier bring to life another compelling, true story of Andrews' early life. As a young boy, Shorty loved playing music with his friends so much that they created the eponymous band (so named because they practiced at 5:00 after finishing homework and chores). In this picture-book account, Troy becomes so caught up in playing his own music that he arrives late for the band's performance and planned parade to discover that they left without him. Disappointed with himself, Troy wonders how he might ever become a bandleader after letting down his own band members. Crestfallen, he journeys through town, looking for his band. On his way, he encounters three New Orleans institutions—musician Tuba Tremé; Queen Lola, Creole chef; and a troupe of Mardi Gras Indians—who help him understand the ingredients for success. Collier's characteristic collage illustrations effectively represent Troy's emotional struggle for self-improvement, and the level of detail in the images portrays the liveliness of New Orleans well. Backmatter includes extensive notes from the author and illustrator and information about the Trombone Shorty Foundation, which exists to "preserve the rich musical culture of New Orleans."An excellent story about a man who remembers the community he came from and actively works to ensure its future success. (Picture book. 4-8)