Picture Book Review ~ Musical Biographies part 5

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Folk songs are some the most singable songs out there and I used a ton of them in the classroom when I was teaching. From the more patriotic “This Land is Your Land” to the silly “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain” and everything in between, the majority of these songs started out much like the spirituals being adopted and adapted by various communities and changing slightly over time. But many of them have been used to convey messages, particularly of a political nature and one of the names most synonymous with this movement is Pete Seeger.

Born in NYC in 1919, Pete was shy but had a love of music and the truth instilled in him from an early age. He protested and attended rallies for the rights of workers during the Depression. He learned to play the banjo and absorbed the folk music he heard at festivals. He dropped out of school to form a band and met Woody Guthrie who let him tag along to some of his concerts and meetings he played at across the country. And did what he could to make a difference. WWII, marriage, civil rights, and various government issues all shaped Pete and Pete shaped those things right back. His discography isn’t extensive, he only released 5 official albums in his lifetime. But his influence is incalculable. And this book does a superb job of showing both pieces of that puzzle.

Pete Seeger book review

Pete Seeger book review2

Stand Up and Sing!: Pete Seeger, Folk Music, and the Path to Justice

Written by: Susanna Reich

Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson

Number of Pages: 32

Publisher: Bloomsbury, 2017

Age Range: 8-12

Rating: 4/5

 

One of my favorite ways to get my students involved was with music. As I mentioned above I sang a lot of folk songs with them particularly. Sometimes we’d just sing a capella, sometimes with a CD accompaniment, and often with the help of a picture book. There are so many great ones out there to choose from I’ll have to dedicate a whole post to them to do it justice but I wanted to leave you with a few to get you started. And add the caveat that kids (little ones at least 🙂 don’t care if you can’t carry a tune. Be enthusiastic, sing out, and they will join in. I promise!

 

This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie and Kathy Jakobsen

Yankee Doodle by Mary Ann Hoberman and Nadine Bernard Westcott

The Wheels on the Bus by Jane Cabrera

Down by the Station by Will Hillenbrand

 You Are My Sunshine by Dare Coulter

Down By the Bay by Raffi

Five Little Monkeys by Eileen Christelow

 

Oh, and so many more! Watch for a whole list to come a little later and thanks for joining me this week. I love sharing my favorite books and music with you and when those things overlap it just makes it all that much better. Happy Reading!

 

 

Picture Book Reviews ~ Musical Biographies

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.   

Welcome to music week, here on the ol’ blog. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of all kinds of music (my tastes run the gamut from classical to anything I can sing along with.) I’ve even spotlighted a few great picture books already and I can pretty much guarantee that I’ll share even more as time goes by. Most of what I have for you are biographies of music makers but we’ll throw in a few books based on songs or sing-along texts and books featuring instruments at the end. So, there should be something for everyone. And as always, if you’ve got favorites I fail to mention please share them in the comments so I can add them to my lists!

Let’s start off today with some rock and roll music. No discussion would be complete (or could even really get started) without mentioning the King.

In 1935 Tupelo, Mississippi was still struggling to bounce back from the Depression but despite the growing racial tensions the streets hummed with music. Elvis soaked up it all up and sang every chance he could get. He was very shy and his family moved a lot but music was his constant. As times changed he knew he had to take a chance and record the songs he’d been singing, the mix of black and white, blues, jazz and his own style. When “That’s All Right” played on the radio it became an instant sensation and a legend was born.

An author’s note tells us a bit more of Elvis’s story after finding success and there’s also a timeline of the major points of his life from birth to death. This is a great example of following your dreams despite the odds. And I don’t think I have to suggest that any readings should be paired with a few listenings as well. There is a plethora of audio and video available for all of the people I’ll be featuring this week. Listen to their songs, watch their performances (musical and otherwise), and soak in the abundant amazingness of talent!

Elvis Book Review

 

Elvis: The Story of the Rock and Roll King

Written and Illustrated by: Bonnie Christensen

Number of Pages: 32

Publisher: Henry Holt, 2015

Age Range: 7-10

Rating: 4/5

Aside from Elvis, there probably isn’t a name more synonymous with rock and roll than the Beatles. Their influence reaches well beyond the boundaries of music to movies, pop culture, fashion, and even equal rights.

The book starts with a brief bio of John Lennon’s childhood, particularly his trouble at school and escape into music. It then introduces each of the other Beatles, showing how their paths cross and how they eventually became a world-wide phenomenon. All four boys had experienced loss and loneliness and all found solace in music in various ways. But it wasn’t until they joined together that they all found what they’d been missing and were able to use that to create something amazing. Anyone interested in some background on the fab four or are introducing them to a new generation of fans will find something here to pique their interest. There’s also some great back matter; an author’s note, glossary, notes and sources for those who want to know even more.
For a grown-up resource, try this fab book: Meet the Beatles: A Cultural History of the Band That Shook Youth, Gender and the World by Steven D. Stark. Or for a unique look at their entire history presented in a graphic format try Visualizing the Beatles: A Complete Graphic History of the World’s Favorite Band by John Pring.
Fab Four Friends book review

Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles

Written by: Susanna Reich

Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson

Number of Pages: 32

Publisher: Henry Holt, 2015

Age Range: 7-10

Rating: 4/5

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite Elvis songs (mostly ’cause I can’t narrow down the Beatles songs to save my soul.) Did you know Elvis sold more gospel records than rock ones? This is one that always makes me tap my toes and feel like a believer.

Tune in tomorrow when we’ll go a little further back in our musical history for some blues and jazz spotlights. Happy Reading/Listening! 🙂

 

Picture Book Review ~ The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

I absolutely love learning about the lives of others, particularly women. And it’s an added bonus if someone can introduce me to an unsung hero, a person who did something relatively ordinary with their lives that ended up making a difference, or someone who slipped under the radar. Today I’ve got four fabulous women profiled in four fabulous picture books that I’m excited to share with you all.

First up we have The Girl Who Thought in Pictures, a brief biography of Temple Grandin, whose work with animal rights is unparalleled. Grandin is autistic and she’s used her experiences growing up and entering a male dominated workforce to bring awareness to both autism and women’s rights.  Written in rhyme and complete with a timeline, additional information after the story and even a note from Temple herself.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures Book Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

Written by: Julia Finley Mosca

Illustrated by: Daniel Rieley

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating: 5/5

Next is Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist. Eugenie Clark fell in love with the ocean and its creatures the first time she stepped into an aquarium as a child. She had a particular affinity for sharks who everyone else thought of as brutal and bloodthirsty. She spent her life studying the sharks in their natural habitats and making many valuable discoveries in the process. Written by Keating, an acclaimed zoologist in her own right, the book includes a timeline, shark facts and more.

Shark Lady Book Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Shark Lady

Written by: Jess Keating

Illustrated by: Marta Alvarez Miguens

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating:  4.5/5

Dangerous Jane tells the story of peace activist Jane Addams. Inspired and touched by the various scenes of poverty she saw in many corners of the world, Jane founded Hull House in Chicago. Over twenty-five years she helped immigrants from many countries to learn skills and find jobs. At the onset of World War One she set off to lecture and convince the leaders of the involved countries to bring about peace. This lead her to being named the FBI’s “Most Dangerous Woman in America” and finally being the first woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. There’s back matter containing additional biographical information and photos.Dangerous Jane Book Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dangerous Jane

Written by: Suzanne Slade

Illustrated by: Alice Ratterree

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating: 4.5/5

And last but not least is a little-known figure by the name of Lucile “Ludy” Godbold. In the early 1900s a new international meet called The Women’s Olympics was founded as a way for female athletes to compete. Ludy’s height and skill make her a natural on the field and thanks to the support of the students and faculty at Winthrop College she is able to venture to France for the 1922 games where she sets numerous records. When she returns home, she embarks on a life-long career of teaching athletics and is even admitted into the South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Back matter includes photos and further information on her life.

Long-Armed Ludy Book Review

Long-Armed Ludy

Written by: Jean L. S. Patrick

Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson

Number of Pages: 32

Age Range: 5-10

Rating: 4.5/5

 

If you’re looking to be inspired or to inspire a young reader, look no further than these four books!

Happy Reading!