School Library Journal (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

Gr 2-5 Chronicling the life of Lil Hardin Armstrong, the illustrations and first-person text showcase an exuberance evident in the life of "Miss Lil," who pioneered not only female musicianship in jazz, but jazz itself. In the author's note, Rockliff mentions Hardin was working on an autobiography at the time of her death (at the piano, no less), which has since disappeared. Readers will learn of Hardin's childhood spent in Memphis where she was attracted to swing even as she trained as a classical pianist and played for services at her church. The "Jazz Wonder Child" dances through every page, a lively yellow-clad figure swirling and swinging through her move to Chicago, rise to jazz fame, and meetings with such famous folks as Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong (who would later become her husband). Wood relies on yellow to draw the eye to important features on each page and to drench the book in the fervor and delight Lil Hardin clearly felt for music. A "Listen to Lil" section provides a suggested song list for readers curious to hear more. VERDICT Suitable for read-alouds at storytimes or school projects for the upper grades. Chelsea Woods, New Brunswick Free Public Library, NJ

Kirkus Reviews

A biography of Lil Hardin Armstrong, who "was just born to swing," one of the first female musicians to make it in the world of jazz.Lil Hardin was born in Memphis, near Beale Street, "where the music never stopped." Though her mother said blues was "Devil's music," Lil Hardin was allowed to play the family organ and at church, where she jazzed up the old church hymns. The Great Migration swept Lil Hardin and her mother up in its tide to Chicago, where a job playing piano in a music store led to gigs, even though a woman playing the piano in a jazz band was unheard of. As a fixture in Chicago's jazz scene, she met Louis Armstrong, and the pair eventually married. Lil Hardin—whose reputation was cemented—used her fame to help boost Louis', and after the couple parted ways, she enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter, musician, and bandleader. Rockliff relates the jazz pioneer's story in Lil Hardin's imagined and enthusiastic first person, her conversational address developing an appropriately big personality. Wood's bright, naïve acrylics complement the narrative style, but they do not evoke the smooth, accomplished sounds that were Lil Hardin's musical signature. Curiously, despite a closing photograph that evinces many different skin tones in Lil Hardin's combo, characters are almost all portrayed as the same medium brown color.Unfortunately, this ode to an undeservedly overlooked legend does not hit all the right notes. (biographical note, discography, timeline, bibliography, author's note) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Lil Hardin Armstrong played jazz piano at a time when female musicians were expected to be -canaries- (singers) and not to -play hard- the way she did. Though Armstrong was Louis Armstrong-s second wife, her own career was established before she met Satchmo. Rockliff (Mesmerized) brings immediacy to her story by writing in first-person: Armstrong describes how she learned to play jazz as a child, then moved to Chicago and played piano at a music store, which led her to perform with a jazz band and meet Armstrong. The two married and collaborated, but the end of the Roaring Twenties led to -hard times for America-and me. Louis was moving on.- Wood-s thickly painted acrylics bring rolling momentum to the pages; wearing bright yellow throughout, Armstrong is the focus of nearly every spread. A joyful portrait of a musician who made her mark on the jazz world. Ages 9-12. Author-s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator-s agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary. (Jan.)

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Rockliff writes in an upbeat, toe-tapping first-person voice to tell the story of lesser-known black jazz pianist Lil Hardin, who was accomplished before she met and married jazz great Louis Armstrong. Wood's bold, naive acrylic paintings nicely match the era and subject. Photos, additional biographical information, and a list of songs complete the volume. Timeline. Bib.