Blue Grass Boy
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Here is the story of Bill Monroe, whose deep Kentucky roots helped him to create the unique American music called bluegrass. Bill Monroe loved many things: playing music, his big family, and his home in the bluegrass state of Kentucky.
Here is the story of Bill Monroe, whose deep Kentucky roots helped him to create the unique American music called bluegrass.
Bill Monroe loved many things: playing music, his big family, and his home in the bluegrass state of Kentucky.
Even though his eyes were crossed and didn’t work right, Bill’s ears worked hard, picking out all sorts of sounds around his treasured home: rushing streams, wailing winds, and sundown jamborees with his family.
Through heartache and hard times, Bill held on to these sounds that reminded him of home.
About the Author:
Barb Rosenstock often pretends to live in the past, although she’s thankful for indoor plumbing, the Internet and instant cocoa. She resides outside Chicago with her husband, sons and two big poodles, who keep her sane (or insane) depending on the day. Barb loves true stories best and enjoys sharing her passion for writing at school visits. Learn more about Barb here.
A Few Reviews:
“This picture book biography of Bill Monroe…richly recalls the hills and mountain streams of his Kentucky upbringing. The writing uses imagery and a voice that evokes the oral storytelling tradition to great effect. It’s not just that Rosenstock describes the rolling hills of Kentucky, it’s the way she uses language to lovingly speak of the land, its people, and the region using dialect and vocabulary that Monroe or any of his loved ones might if they were telling this story. The author adeptly and squarely aims this book at the intended audience by highlighting details young readers can connect with…The digital illustrations are vibrant with a retro feel…(and) complement the imagery of Monroe’s music. A highly recommended purchase.” – School Library Journal
“Rosenstock tells the story of bluegrass musician Bill Monroe, who found refuge from a sometimes painful childhood… (illustrator) Fotheringham’s high-energy digital art shows Monroe’s development from unhappy boy to confident performer with his band… as Monroe hits his musical stride, the spreads fill with inky blue, like a moonlit Kentucky night.” – Publishers Weekly
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