Just a Lucky So and So

Just a Lucky So and So. Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illustrated by James Ransome. 2016. Holiday House. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In New Orleans, Louisiana, in a part of town outside of Storyville, tucked in a corner called Back o' Town, in a section nicknamed the Battlefield, Little Louis Armstrong was born, black and poor and lucky.

Premise/plot: Just A Lucky So and So is a picture book biography of Louis Armstrong. The book focuses on his childhood and ends with the beginning of his successful career. It is very much a story focused on JAZZ MUSIC. Is it a picture book for young readers or older readers? Is it possible best-suited for adults? I can't answer that perfectly. I think it depends entirely on the life-experiences and interests of the reader.

My thoughts: I love Louis Armstrong. Love, love, LOVE Louis Armstrong. In fact, some of his songs would top my list of BEST SONGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD list. (Some of my favorites: La Vie En Rose, A Kiss To Build a Dream On, What A Wonderful World, Hello Dolly, Kiss of Fire, I Get Ideas, It's Been A Long, Long Time, It Takes Two To Tango, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Cheek to Cheek, I Won't Dance, Let's Call the Whole Thing Off, A Fine Romance, Our Love Is Here to Stay. I could go on.) So my interest level in this picture book biography was high. Any children's book about Louis Armstrong is one I'm going to "need" to review.

I liked this one very much. I loved seeing Armstrong quoted throughout the biography. If this is a trend in picture book biographies, I love it!

I would definitely recommend that if you are going to share this one with children, that you share his music as well. He's very charismatic, and, I think the more familiar you are with his work--his music, his performances, his films, etc--the more you'll appreciate this one. 

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite. Anna Harwell Celenza. Illustrated by Don Tate. 2011. Charlesbridge.  32 pages.

In Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite, Anna Harwell Celenza shares with young people the story behind this jazz legend's recording of the Nutcracker Suite. The book is set in 1960, and it follows the story of 'the nutcracker suite' from just an idea all the way to the recording studios. It is the story of how Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn make the Nutcracker their own. Much of the story takes place in the recording studio as Ellington introduces his band to the music. Emphasis is on the new song titles and their inspiration.

• Overture
• Toot Toot Tootie Toot (Dance of the Reed-Pipes)
• Peanut Brittle Brigade (March)
• Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies)
• Entr'acte
• The Volga Vouty (Russian Dance)
• Chinoiserie (Chinese Dance)
• Danse of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers)
• Arabesque Cookie

The good news? This picture book includes a recording of Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite. Readers get to hear thirty minutes of jazz. The bad news? Without the recording to accompany it, well, the text wouldn't be much. The story isn't that much of a story. Yes, it has a fictional framework to support the facts. But it's the music itself that will make this one memorable.

Read Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite:

• If you like the Nutcracker Suite and are curious about how it can be jazzed up for new audiences
• If you like jazz music, if you like Duke Ellington
• If you like picture books based on true events

© 2012 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews