kwbat12's review
5.0
Very excellent book. Very vivid artwork, interesting layout of the words and text, a very nice tale of young Jimi and how he got interested in the music he is known for.
pwbalto's review
4.0
This impressionistic book about Jimi is notable for its wild mixed-media illustrations and for an afterword that addresses his use of drugs and alcohol without being judgemental or whitewashing the facts.
Brief Lives: A list of biographies for children is on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2012/03/biographies-for-children.html
Brief Lives: A list of biographies for children is on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2012/03/biographies-for-children.html
alysona's review
4.0
I wondered about the age range for this book, but once I read it, I decided that Hendrix's death from drugs has nothing to do with the story here. It is about his childhood and his growth as an artist and is an amazing story for kids.
I love how his early interest in art developed into his music and then cycles back again in the art in the book. I saw this quote on Steptoe's website "collage is a means of survival. It is how Black folks survived four hundred years of oppression, taking the scraps of life and transforming them into art forms" Perfect to describe the art in this book.
I only wish we had gotten a copy of this before we did all our Caldecott Hopeful programs for staff!
I love how his early interest in art developed into his music and then cycles back again in the art in the book. I saw this quote on Steptoe's website "collage is a means of survival. It is how Black folks survived four hundred years of oppression, taking the scraps of life and transforming them into art forms" Perfect to describe the art in this book.
I only wish we had gotten a copy of this before we did all our Caldecott Hopeful programs for staff!
jshettel's review
5.0
Gotta give this one five stars for the beautiful illustrations that complement this picture-book biography of Jimi Hendrix as a young boy. In just a few pages, I learned more about this artist than I new before... how he learned to "paint" with his music and the love and support of his father. A great springboard book into biographies.
jaclynhyde's review
5.0
An absolutely beautiful book. The book begins with young Jimmy Hendrix listening to the world and hearing music in everything; the illustrations really manage to capture the feel and excitement of music. While Jimi and other people are represented fairly realistically, the backgrounds are a surrealistic rainbow of colors, clashing and loud but forming a beautiful whole. As a music lover (even though I haven't heard much Hendrix), I was absolutely drawn into this book; kids won't need to know who Jimi Hendrix was to appreciate how music permeated his life.
tooamy's review
5.0
This book is about Jimi Hendrix and how he became a musician. The illustrations are beautiful and the text is part of the art. The story could be used for grades 1-3.
shayemiller's review
4.0
I’ve actually had this book in my stack for a looooong time. I picked it up to use in my Music for the Elementary Teacher college course for education majors, last year. In fact, it appears one of my students lost the first copy of it, so the college purchase another copy for our use. So I’m glad to finally get to share it on my blog, today. As would be expected by the title, this is a picture book biography of Jimi Hendrix. It begins with young Jimmy in 1956 in Seattle, Washington during a thunderstorm. He hears music in everything around him. A child on his block sounds like a clarinet. A truck engine backfiring sounds like a bass drum. And his neighbor’s rake sounded like a snare drum against the sidewalk. Jimmy even saw colors with every sound he heard. He was elated when his dad purchased their neighbor’s guitar for $5, and he practiced many hours on his own to figure out how to play before joining a local band. His greatest excitement seemed to be when he discovered all of the sounds he could make through a guitar amplifier when he plugged in an electric guitar. He then could use his guitar to make a wide assortment of sounds (a rainbow of sounds) that he’s most known for, today.
Don’t let nobody turn you off from your own thoughts and dreams. -Jimi Hendrix
The artwork in this book was created in mixed media.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
Don’t let nobody turn you off from your own thoughts and dreams. -Jimi Hendrix
The artwork in this book was created in mixed media.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
cherylanntownsend's review
5.0
I got this book because I so enjoy Jimi’s music and had intended to give to my grandson as a gift. After actually seeing the most awesome artwork surrounding the tale of his early inspirations and aspirations. As much a piece of art as his music. I’ve decided to order another copy for my grandson. This one, I’m keeping.