Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World (Children’s Music Books, Picture Books, Guitar Books, Music Books for Kids) - Hardcover

Tomsic, Kim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 145215919X ISBN 13: 9781452159195

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2019

Synopsis

"An exuberant introduction to a musician and creative genius." –Kirkus Reviews

A beautifully-illustrated true story of rock and roll legend Les Paul: This is the story of how Les Paul created the world's first solid-body electric guitar, countless other inventions that changed modern music, and one truly epic career in rock and roll. How to make a microphone? A broomstick, a cinderblock, a telephone, a radio. How to make an electric guitar? A record player's arm, a speaker, some tape. How to make a legendary inventor? A few tools, a lot of curiosity, and an endless faith in what is possible, this unforgettable biography will resonate with inventive readers young and old.

• Perfect for young readers and rock and roll enthusiasts alike.
• Unforgettable biography that will resonate with inventive readers young and old.
• Featuring richly detailed, dynamic illustrations by Brett Helquist, the New York Times bestselling illustrator of many books, including the Lemony Snicket books, A Series of Unfortunate Events.

"Les Paul was an innovator and musical force for the ages - he changed the world in a very real way. His story is a lesson from which kids of all ages can derive inspiration." –Billy Gibbons, lead guitarist of ZZ Top.

This inspiring true story of rock and roll legend Les Paul teaches lessons of perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and following your dreams.

• Perfect read aloud book for family story time
• Books for kids ages 5-8
• Great book for STEM programs
• Children's books for grades K-3

About this title

About the Author

Kim Tomsic lives in Boulder, Colorado. This is her first picture book.

Brett Helquist is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of many books, including the Lemony Snicket books, A Series of Unfortunate Events. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

From School Library Journal

Gr 2–5—If your child regularly took apart machines in your home or trimmed down a tread on your stairs to make it sound better, how would you react? Fortunately for musicians and music lovers, Les Paul's mother encouraged, even praised, his efforts. From a young age, Les was curious about sound as it relates to music. His initial attempts to learn to play the piano ended with the teacher declaring, "Lester will never learn music..." but a mail-order guitar and a wooden harmonica proved to be just the ticket to launch his ever-widening curiosity about how to improve the sound so it would reach all the way to the back of crowds that came to hear him play. Each performance venue produced additional problems to solve, leading to more and more tinkering with found objects. His persistence and creativity paid off, as he is credited with numerous inventions that have made today's recorded music possible. Paul's story is delightfully told in folksy, familiar language, with numerous onomatopoeias to represent the sounds he produced. There is additional back matter that adds more detail to illuminate his amazing career accomplishments. Helquist's illustrations, created with colorful oils, are equally delightful and pleasant. Text and illustrations radiate exuberance and joy. Readers will marvel at the perseverance and ingenuity Paul demonstrated throughout his life. VERDICT A strong addition to inspire would-be inventors, and an excellent choice for STEM programs and biography collections.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Edition details

• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 145215919X
• ISBN 13: 9781452159195
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 56
• Illustrator: Helquist Brett