(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Frank Morrison. Louis Armstrong's first trumpet narrates this story of Satchmo's boyhood. From his playing a toy horn around his New Orleans neighborhood to leading the Colored Waif's Home band to his days under bandleader King Oliver's tutelage, Armstrong's soon-to-be-illustrious career develops. The accessible text is filled with noteworthy facts and details. An afterword provides additional information. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. After dancing to Louis Armstrong's music with her mom, the narrator dreams that he teaches her to scat about her subject of choice: bubble gum. This commendable effort to introduce young readers to Armstrong could use some shaping, and scat on paper ("Dooo-bleee-ooo-DIP-DOP") just doesn't swing, but Christie's acrylics inject the printed soundtrack with as much music as possible.

Reviewer: Nell Beram