ISBN: 978-1-419-7-1465-8
Trombone Shorty is an autobiographical picture book written by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and beautifully illustrated by Bryan Collier. The story follows the life of the title character, who earned his nickname from his brother because of his small frame hoisting an old trombone. As a child, he learns how to play trombone, gets noticed by the great Bo Diddley, and overcomes poverty in New Orleans to become a renowned musician. Now as an adult, Trombone Shorty supports children of New Orleans as they practice music, in order to "pay it forward."
Trombone Shorty is an authentic character, and because the book is autobiographical, the author can definitely be considered a reliable source on the subject matter. He represents his beloved city of New Orleans, including the slang "Where y'at?", the symbolism of a mixed-up pot of gumbo, and the celebratory nature of this port city. Troy does not try to represent all people of color, all people living in poverty, or all young black men. Instead, he shares his personal story of his childhood, his city, and his music.
The theme of Trombone Shorty is the human ability to overcome obstacles and follow one's passions. In telling this story in such a masterful way, Trombone Shorty inspires people who share his background, but also those who are a different race, ethnicity, social class, or region. His story transcends race and social class.
The illustrations in Trombone Shorty are evocative of the music and vibrancy of the city of New Orleans. Collier utilizes bold colors, sharp lines, and some mixed media collage elements to mimic the sounds of a brass band marching down the streets of New Orleans. The images spread across the pages, filling up every inch of space with color and dynamism. The faces of the characters are especially realistic and impressively illustrated. The richness of the illustrations reflects the richness of the cultural history represented by the text. The words are also rhythmic and punctuated by the use of different fonts and colors to emphasize certain phrases and sentences.
Trombone Shorty includes an author's note at the end, with photographs of Troy as a young boy, playing his trombone while marching in a parade, and while on stage with Bo Diddley. Two pages of images and text outline the details of Troy's rise to fame and the development of the Trombone Shorty Foundation. This provides an outlet for those touched by the story to contribute to the charity.
A Coretta Scott King Award Winner and Caldecott Honor Book, Trombone Shorty would make a valuable addition to any elementary or public library. This book will make the reader want to parade down the street to the sound of a brass band! The inspirational message is important, not only for people of color, but for anyone who has faced a challenge and wants to persevere to follow a dream.
As a lesson activity for elementary grades, a teacher or librarian could play samples of different instruments. Then, the students would pick their favorite musical instrument and create their own illustrations in which they capture its sound and feeling. These images could be compiled into a class book or put on display in the library.
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