Description

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The childhood of Louis Armstrong was as fascinating as the great musician himself-and this chapter book biography tells it like never before. Play, Louis, Play! is written from the point of view of Louis' closest companion throughout his youth-his horn! In a jazz-inflected, exuberant voice, this unusual narrator tells it all, starting with the small New Orleans hock shop where little Louis bought his first trumpet for five hard-earned dollars.

As Louis goes from a street quartet to the marching band of the Colored Waif 's Home to the big sounds of New Orleans jazz clubs, author Muriel Harris Weinstein creates a moving portrait of the jazz legend. Includes a detailed author's note, glossary of jazz terms, and bibliography.

About the Author

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MURIEL HARRIS WEINSTEIN's poems have appeared in The Comstock Review, Nassau Review, Kent State Review, Nexus, and many anthologies. She is the author of the picture book When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Jazz. She lives in New York.

FRANK MORRISON is a renowned fine artist whose work was featured in Our Children Can Soar. He has lent his talents to many picture books, including Alex Rodriguez's Out of the Ballpark, Queen Latifah's Queen of the Scene, and Brenda Roberts' Jazzy Miz Mozetta, for which he won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. He lives in Georgia.

Praise For…

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“Louis Armstrong's life comes alive in this story. It's as sweet and powerful as his music. I loved it; I know readers will too. What a treat!” —Patricia Reilly Giff, Newbery Honor author of Pictures of Hollis Woods

“I have read dozens of books about Louis Armstrong and know that this one is extra special. Muriel Harris Weinstein has done it again!” —Michael Cogswell, Director, Louis Armstrong House Museum

“This charming book . . . is a thoroughly delightful, well-informed piece of work--as well as an excellent way to introduce a curious child to the inspiring story of the greatest jazz musician of the twentieth century.” —Terry Teachout, author of Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong