Blues Boy: The B.B. King Story

Gr 1-4–Readers can follow along as B.B. King leaves behind small town Mississippi for the Memphis blues scene in this picture book biography. The text captures the feel and rhythm of King’s songs. It describes how his life “turned sweet as tupelo honey” when he found a place to play his music and how “he could play his blues and plant seeds of joy.” Although it does not omit the challenges in his life, the story also acknowledges “the world became his stage.” A combination of oil, acrylics, and collage creates scenes of rural farm life and Beale Street, as well as images of King busking on a street corner or riffing on his electric guitar. Patterns of shapes and colors in the background give images the feeling of quilt patterns or stained glass. Sheet music, record labels, and Jim Crow signs add even more layers to the illustrations, which will inspire children to learn more. Back matter includes a timeline, a brief description of King’s humanitarian efforts, a few recommended albums, and a bibliography. There is also a list of blues museums to visit and recommended picture books about other blues artists.