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From award-winning author Matthew Burgess and debut illustrator Sirin Thada, a picture book biography of music icon Prince, from childhood to superstardom, that crackles with electricity and soul
Prince is remembered as one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time. But before he achieved global superstardom, he was a child growing up in Minneapolis, with a universe of music inside him. From his first forays into writing songs with his school friends to his unprecedented three-album record deal at 19, and his surprise hit film Purple Rain to performing at the Super Bowl, Prince was never afraid to blaze his own trail-creating something entirely new, entirely free, and entirely PRINCE that would shape music and culture and resonate with audiences for generations to come.
About the author
Matthew Burgess is a poet, professor, and children’s book author. He teaches at Brooklyn College and is a teaching artist in New York City public schools. He is also the author of, among other titles, Enormous Smallness: A Story of E.E. Cummings; Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring; Make Meatballs Sing: The Life & Art of Corita Kent; and Sylvester’s Letter. He lives with his husband in Brooklyn and Berlin.
The daughter of Thai immigrants, Sirin Thada was born and raised in Baltimore, and has been making art since childhood. Most recently, she was the in-house illustrator for Catapult magazine, and has been published in the Washington Post, Guardian, TIME magazine, and more. She currently lives and works in NYC along with her husband, scientific artist Jason Brougham, and their adorable rescue pup, Indie. The Purple One is her picture book debut.
Summary
From award-winning author Matthew Burgess and debut illustrator Sirin Thada, a picture book biography of music icon Prince, from childhood to superstardom, that crackles with electricity and soul
Prince is remembered as one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time. But before he achieved global superstardom, he was a child growing up in Minneapolis, with a universe of music inside him. From his first forays into writing songs with his school friends to his unprecedented three-album record deal at 19, and his surprise hit film Purple Rain to performing at the Super Bowl, Prince was never afraid to blaze his own trail—creating something entirely new, entirely free, and entirely PRINCE that would shape music and culture and resonate with audiences for generations to come.
Report
One of School Library Journal's "28 Picture Book Biographies for Black History Month and All Year"
One of the Horn Book's "7 picture book biographies celebrating Black excellence"
"A salute to a musical genius with a uniquely independent spirit... Prince's meteoric career offers an example that will entice readers with big, creative dreams of their own. A soaring drive to inspire, with appropriately hued art and prose."
Kirkus Reviews
