Reviews

Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: a Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, Javaka Steptoe

tooamy's review against another edition

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.

amyjoy's review against another edition

3.0

My review here

shayemiller's review against another edition

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!

cherylanntownsend's review against another edition

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.

libscote's review against another edition

4.0

My personal pick for the best illustrated book of last year.

beecheralyson's review against another edition

4.0

Never did I expect that there would be a picture book dealing with Jimi Hendrix and his musical journey. However, Gary Golio does a pretty incredible job with this one. I loved how the mixed media illustrations paired with the text. And the resources at the end of the book are quite valuable if a teacher or student decides to look at them more closely. Definitely a book worth checking out.

le13anna's review

2.0

beautiful collage work.

sunsoar25's review

4.0

The book tells the story of how Jimi Hendrix got his first taste of music and performance as a boy; it also includes an author’s note discussing his death and ways to talk to kids about it. The artwork is brightly colored mixed media with a little of everything. According to the illustrator’s note, he said he really wanted to get a sense for Jimi Hendrix so when it came to making these illustrations he wanted to represent the look and the feel of his life in textures and colors. Segments of the text appear to be flowing as if it were music. For readers to really get a feel for Jimi Hendrix, they should explore the extra Sources and Resources provided in the back of the book.

cannonsr's review

3.0

I loved the pictures--5 stars for the illustrations. The story of Jimi himself, not something I care as much about. Though I was amused by the author's note about drugs and alcohol.