Talkin' Guitar: A Story of Young Doc Watson

by Robbin Gourley

Overview

Arthel "Doc" Watson (1923–2012) was a Grammy-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter, high in the pantheon of bluegrass and country music greats. This picture book tells the story of a country boy, born blind, who found music in the sounds around him and learned to play that music on his guitar. Minimal text and breathtaking illustrations pay tribute to Doc's early determination, imagination, and musicianship. Includes additional biographical information. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544133464
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/10/2015
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Lexile:	AD660L (what's this?)
File size:	37 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Robbin Gourley is an artist and art director as well as an author and illustrator of cookbooks and picture books. She divides her time between rural Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York.

Editorial Reviews

In twangy language and moody, brightly colored watercolor art, Gourley emphasizes [Watson's] keen ear, subtle appreciation of both sound and silence, and loving, supportive family.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

"The paintings' rich colors and simplified, often rhythmically repeated forms suit the story well. A lyrical tribute to the childhood of a folk legend." —Booklist "A cadenced narrative and soft watercolors in a naïve style take readers through blind folk musician Arthel “Doc” Watson’s Appalachian upbringing." —Publishers Weekly "Uncluttered watercolor illustrations add to the spare text, which stresses Watson's joyful exploration of the sounds of his world...this enchanting introduction to a legendary musician is perfect for most biography collections." —School Library Journal "Gourley's affectionate biography is a great starting point for young readers, who are most likely unfamiliar with Doc Watson." —Horn Book Magazine "In twangy language and moody, brightly colored watercolor art, Gourley emphasizes his keen ear, subtle appreciation of both sound and silence, and loving, supportive family." —New York Times Book Review   —

From the Publisher

2014-11-18
This affectionate portrait of guitar great Arthel "Doc" Watson focuses on his formative musical influences during his Appalachian childhood.Gourley's lyrical prose incorporates occasional diction derived from the setting. "Yonder, where blue mountains meet the sky, Arthel Watson was born into a world of music." Arthel listens intently—to farm animals, a distant train, peeping frogs and more. He has "ears like a cat." A page turn reveals an inky-black double-page spread and one stark, speculative sentence: "Maybe it was because he was blind." Arthel's "heart full of melody" can't be contained. He drums on pots and strums a steel wire strung to the sliding barn door. His Pappy gives him a harmonica, makes him a banjo and buys his first guitar, from which Arthel's inseparable. Arthel learns farm chores, practicing guitar in between. "He reckoned if he could work like everyone else, he could play music like the folks he heard on the records and the radio." The narrative ends with a beginning and an image of a taller Arthel, guitar in hand. Gourley's watercolors, while often lovely, depict Arthel unevenly, with some spreads appearing less finished than others. For example, the boy's strawberry-blond hair is, at turns, textured with light pencil strokes, heavily crayoned or left untouched. Aspects of visual discontinuity detract from this otherwise sensitive treatment of a celebrated guitarist's early inspirations. (biographical note, bibliography, list of websites) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews