Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 09/22/2025 Rajan and Daley celebrate a legendary duo, Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) and Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), whose musical chemistry "would push and pull, push and pull. Until the music notes started to swing." The creators trace the figures’ distinct paths into music-Fitzgerald’s from Harlem, where she long yearned to perform at the Apollo, and Armstrong’s from New Orleans, where he "sang like a steam train thundering along the tracks." As adults, Armstrong played the trumpet across the U.S. while Fitzgerald performed in New York City. Their eventual meeting at the Hollywood Bowl marks a moment rendered as pivotal in dynamic text and electric-hued illustrations that echo the rhythm and energy of their collaboration. It’s a lively introduction to two icons whose friendship helped shape American music. Creators’ notes conclude. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 10/24/2025 Gr 1–3—Though the long musical careers of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong largely ran along separate tracks, Rajan ("This Is Music" board books) finds a neat way to link the two iconic figures in the history of American music. Because Fitzgerald, renowned as a scat singer, could vocalize like a brassy horn, and Satchmo could make his sweet trumpet sound almost human, together on stage they could trade notes and phrases back and forth until their music took on an irresistible swing. This book retraces Fitzgerald's and Armstrong's musical journeys—he, growing up in New Orleans and starting out as a street corner singer; she, a would-be dancer from a Harlem orphanage—until they came together to perform a toe-tapping, high-stepping concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1956. Even young readers who may not be familiar with jazz, Fitzgerald, or Armstrong will come away from the book with a sense of what their bright, brilliant music was like, as Daley's illustrations show the very streets and buildings shimmying and twisting in time to soaring ribbons of musical notes, dancing lights, and sonic exuberance. Along with a discography, the back matter includes both a list of sources and recommended further reading for younger audiences. VERDICT A rousing tribute to two influential musical greats and the swinging sounds they made together.—John Peters - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.