Trombone Shorty

The stunning story and exquisite illustrations in this Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award–winning book can now be savored along with Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews reading the words and playing his trumpet in this readalong that will transport readers to New Orleans and beyond!

"A biography of African American musician Melba Doretta Liston, a virtuoso musician who played the trombone and composed and arranged music for many of the great jazz musicians of the twentieth century. Includes afterword, discography, and sources"--

With evocative black-and-white illustrations and moving prose, readers are introduced to jazz-music legend and civil-rights activist Nina Simone. A stunning picture-book biography of the High Priestess of Soul and one of the greatest voices of the 20th century. Shared as a lullaby to her daughter, a soulful song recounts Simone's career, the trials she faced as an African American woman, and the stand she took during the Civil Rights Movement. This poignant picture book offers a melodic tale that is both a historic account of an iconic figure and an extraordinary look at how far we've come and how far we still need to go for social justice and equality. A timeless and timely message aptly appropriate for today's social and political climates. ♦ "A good introduction to Simone’s life, from her early love of music to her rise to the status of legend" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review ♦ "Strikingly illustrated" —Booklist, starred review ♦ "Hauntingly beautiful illustrations" —Foreword Reviews, starred review "Stirring and powerful. . . " —BookPage

More than any other musician in the early twentieth century, Duke Ellington brought jazz into nightclubs and later into the living rooms of America. The music he played sprang in part from the blues and gospel rhythms of the plantation slaves living in the mid-nineteenth century, infused with the sounds of ragtime from the turn of the century. Jazz has been called the first musical form created in the United States. It was a type of sharp improvisation for which band members played anything they wanted along a chosen key or set of chords, so every night the music was different. Duke led with his piano playing, but he allowed various other members of his band to shine, too. Embracing new technologies such as radio receivers and record players, Duke Ellington was an early pop star.

"...school and public librarians will want to include this in their collections. The audio version...will be in great demand." - School Library Journal

In the 1930s, Lewis's dad, Lewis Michaux Sr., had an itch he needed to scratch—a book itch. How to scratch it? He started a bookstore in Harlem and named it the National Memorial African Bookstore. And as far as Lewis Michaux Jr. could tell, his father's bookstore was one of a kind. People from all over came to visit the store, even famous people—Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Langston Hughes, to name a few. In his father's bookstore people bought and read books, and they also learned from each other. People swapped and traded ideas and talked about how things could change. They came together here all because of his father's book itch. Read the story of how Lewis Michaux Sr. and his bookstore fostered new ideas and helped people stand up for what they believed in.

Before John Was a Jazz Giant is a 2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book.

Music is Everywhere! Edward's Rhythm Sticks is a story that shows how much music is a part of our lives. This story illustrates just how fun music can be and how even the simplest things can be made into instruments. This story is a great way for parents and teachers alike to teach rhythm, pattern and sequence. Most of all, parents and teachers can use this engaging interactive eBook to bridge learning, music, literacy and having fun together.