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Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles
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About Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became The Beatles
Product Description In 1957 in Liverpool, England, a young lad named John Lennon and his band played music at a local church fair. In the audience was Paul McCartney, who liked what he heard and soon joined the group. Paul's friend George Harrison kept showing up at rehearsals until the older boys finally let him in. Eventually they found the perfect drummer, Ringo Starr, and the perfect name: The Beatles. Told through a lyrical text and stunning paintings, this book spotlights four ordinary boys growing up amid the rubble of postwar England who found music to be a powerful, even life-saving, force. From School Library Journal Gr 2–5—This beautiful picture book is an affectionate tribute to the Fab Four, describing their childhoods and adolescence and concluding right as they began their rise to fame. Though on the lengthy side, the text is conversational and includes details that humanize the band. As Reich states in her author's note, she's a longtime Beatles devotee, and her enthusiasm is obvious from her copious research: there are quotes from the four sprinkled liberally throughout, all cited in the back matter. Positively dripping with nostalgia, the rich oil paintings have a retro, Norman Rockwell-esque flavor, depicting classic scenes (the Beatles in their early days, kitted out in leather) as well as re-creating moments from the boys' childhood, such as John Lennon dancing with his mother, Julia. Gustavson makes expert use of shadow and light, and there are some truly striking images here. This is a gorgeous love letter to an unforgettable band, though adult fans will most likely appreciate this effort more than children. While potentially unfamiliar terms—such as Teddy boy or scousers—are defined in the glossary, they may prove off-putting to those unfamiliar with 1960s England; educators may want to provide background for readers. Pair this title with Mick Manning and Brita Granström's slightly more comprehensive The Beatles (Frances Lincoln, 2014) for a unit on Beatlemania. VERDICT An attractive offering, ideal for those seeking to introduce older elementary school students to the quartet.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal Review A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year “Gustavson's naturalistic oil illustrations capture individual band-members' personalities and fans' excitement, complementing the well-orchestrated text.” ―The Horn Book “[A] grand and archetypal tale . . . the closing cornucopia of Beatles books, audio, video, and websites will also help to fill in the blanks. First steps on the long and winding road.” ―Kirkus Reviews “Reich concentrates on the qualities that brought them together, focusing especially on their humor, their work ethic, and their consummate musicianship. Gustavson's luminous oil paintings capture likenesses and personalities that are utterly recognizable, even when the bandmates are just little boys and teens.” ―Booklist “A fine recipe for pleasure: Julia Child, the culinary arts, Paris and a lucky cat. Magnifique!” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review on Minette's Feast “[A] charming conceit.” ―Booklist, starred review on Minette's Feast “...feast for the senses” ―School Library Journal, starred review on Minette's Feast About the Author Susanna Reich is an author of many books for children, including Fab Four Friends, and has won such awards as an Orbis Pictus Honor and an SLJ Best Book of the Year, among other honors. She lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband, author Gary Golio. Adam Gustavson is the award-winning illustrator of over twenty books for children, including Rock and Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story. Adam holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey with his family and several guitars.
