The Blues of Flats Brown - Softcover

Myers, Walter Dean

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0823416798 ISBN 13: 9780823416790

Publisher: Holiday House, 2001

Synopsis

A runaway junkyard dog makes a name for himself playing blues guitar.

About this title

About the Author:

Walter Dean Myers (1937 - 2014) was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He was one of the premier authors of books for children, and received numerous awards including the Michael L. Printz award and the Coretta Scott King Award.

Nina Laden is the author and illustrator of the bestselling "When Pigasso Met Mootise" and "The Night I Followed the Dog." She grew up in the New York City area but now lives in Washington State with her husband and three stepsons. Like Flats Brown, she plays blues guitar.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 3-Walter Dean Myers' fun picture book (Holiday, 2000) about a junkyard dog turned celebrated blues musician works wonderfully as a book/cassette kit thanks to Charles Turner's spirited narration and Mark "Dog" Deffenbaugh's bluesy guitar strumming. Nina Laden's vibrant pastel paintings capture the adventures of the anthropomorphic titular character, a teenaged pooch in hip attire who loves playing the blues. The action begins when Flats and his much older canine pal, Caleb, escape from their cruel, self-hating owner, A.J. Grubbs, a character Turner plays with gruff abandon. As street musicians in Mississippi, Flats plays guitar and Caleb accompanies by rattling a pair of bones. They wow the masses with such tunes as "The Freaky Flea Blues" and "The Mangy Muzzle Stomp." With Grubbs on his tail but leaving his arthritic pal Caleb behind, Flats takes off for the Big Apple where he finds even greater success. Myers' story offers meaningful messages about friendship and music without being too didactic or preachy. Gentle sound effects (crickets chirping in a nighttime scene, an approaching train, the sounds of dogs barking) enhance the action. Turner's energetic narration keeps the story humming along. Deffenbaugh's guitar work pleases the ear, and his performance of "The New York City Blues"(music and lyrics by Myers) is the program's highlight. This story about the joys of blues music has found a format that serves it very well.
Brian E. Wilson, Evanston Public Library, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0823416798
• ISBN 13: 9780823416790
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Laden Nina