The praise keeps coming in for Katheryn Russell-Brown’s and Frank Morrison’s picture book, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. The book was a School Library Journal selection as a Top Picks for Children’s Books for the month of July, and received two more starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal!
From the School Library Journal starred review:
“Music lovers will enjoy this picture-book biography of Melba Liston (1926-99), child prodigy and virtuoso trombonist who collaborated with most 20th century jazz greats. An excellent match of breezy text and dynamic illustrations tells an exhilarating story…Morrison’s distinctive illustrations, stretched out like a slide trombone, draw the eye across each spread to the page turn.”
Publishers Weekly:
“Morrison’s oil paintings practically sway with a jazz beat, though somber moments crop up, too: the shadows on Liston’s face signify the trials of life on the road. A final image showing long-limbed Liston in profile as she plays under the glow of stage lights is exquisite.”