Parents' Guide to

The 5 O'Clock Band

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Trombone Shorty tale is joyous love letter to New Orleans.

Book Troy Andrews Picture Book 2018
The 5 O'Clock Band Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In THE 5 O'CLOCK BAND, Shorty plays trombone in the 5 O'Clock Band, so called because they played together "every afternoon, after school and homework were finished." One afternoon, he's engrossed in practice and forgets to meet the band. Shorty worries: How can he be a bandleader if he can't be on time? While chasing after his friends, he comes across a series of adults who greet him --"Shorty, where y'at?" -- each giving him advice in turn. Musician Tuba Tremé tells him to keep tradition in mind. "Every bandleader needs to know where music came from in order to move it forward." Queen Lola feeds him from the window of her restaurant, advising him to infuse his work with love, as she does her cooking. And Big Chief of the Mardi Gras Indians counsels "dedication." When Shorty finally comes upon his band, he shares these "ingredients for success." As they march home to Tremé, they play "When the Saints Go Marching In."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This joyous love letter to New Orleans feels like a surprise trip and a very happy jazz concert rolled into one, and readers can nearly hear the bright brass band parading to Jackson Square. The 5 O’Clock Band is written by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews himself, along with co-author Bill Taylor, and illustrated by the incomparable Bryan Collier. The team's unbeatable. While it's unclear who wrote what -- did Trombone Shorty provide the New Orleans color and biographical detail, and Bill Taylor the picture book know-how? However they divvied it, it works. Kids will relate to the story since it focuses on young "Shorty" as he leads his friends in a local brass band, and will have fun meeting the adult characters who bring out the special spice of one of our most distinct and colorful cities. "Where y’at?" In the Quarter!

Collier's art is staggeringly gorgeous. It's shot through with light and bright color, studded with textural collage elements, and celebrates the character of the city as well as the characters who people it. His faces -- such beautiful faces! -- keep us rapt and riveted. In this book, all the elements combine to create a lovely celebration of the rich musical and cultural heritage of New Orleans.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Shorty's hopes and dreams in The 5 O’Clock Band. What does Shorty want to accomplish? Do you have something special you want to do? Are you worried in any way that you won't be able to do it?

  • Do you have adults like Tuba Tremé, Queen Lola, and Big Chief who give you good advice? Who are they? How have they helped you?

  • If "Everyone’s hometown is special," how is yours special? How is the place you live helping you "grow into the person you’ll become"?

Book Details

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