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Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: a Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, Javaka Steptoe
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
Never in a million years would I imagine Jimi Hendrix to be the subject of a children's picture book, but strangely enough, this was quite an inspiring piece of writing. Gary Golio tells the story of a young Jimi Hendrix and what sparked his passion for learning guitar how he became such a legend. Told through vivid writing and mixed-media illustrations, this picture book is a must-have for any budding guitarist.
Nowhere in the actual story itself does the author address Jimi's substance abuse issues, choosing instead to keep the tone of the story inspirational, but there is quite an thorough author's note at the end that addresses how Jimi died and lists quite a few resources that explain the dangers of substance abuse. Anyone who admires Hendrix as a rock 'n' roll legend cannot overlook the tragic way in which he died, so it's unfortunate that this can't be a book about what inspired Hendrix to become a great guitarist and leave it at that.
Nowhere in the actual story itself does the author address Jimi's substance abuse issues, choosing instead to keep the tone of the story inspirational, but there is quite an thorough author's note at the end that addresses how Jimi died and lists quite a few resources that explain the dangers of substance abuse. Anyone who admires Hendrix as a rock 'n' roll legend cannot overlook the tragic way in which he died, so it's unfortunate that this can't be a book about what inspired Hendrix to become a great guitarist and leave it at that.
lrouss89's review against another edition
“Don’t let nobody turn you off from your own thoughts and dreams.” —Jimi Hendrix.
This book is full of sound!
This book is full of sound!
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I'm almost always a big fan of collage. I really enjoyed the illustrations here. I couldn't help but remember going to an art installation at the Walker in Minneapolis. There were hammocks in the room, a slide show on the ceiling and Hendrix music playing in a darkened room. Simply an amazing experience. This book took me back to that day. This book was a great introduction to Hendrix.
ama_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Text was difficult to read due to the fonts and colors. Often it would blend into the background illustrations.
kwbat12's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.