Blues Boy: The B. B. King Story

by Alice Faye Duncan, Carl Joe Williams (Illustrator)

Overview

From his childhood in the Jim Crow South to his triumphant reign as the King of Blues, Blues Boy tells the aspirational story of American music icon B.B. King. For readers of Trombone Shorty, When Marian Sang, and Drum Dream Girl. Includes a timeline, author’s note, and suggestions for reading and listening.

At twelve years old, Riley B. King borrowed fifteen dollars from his boss to buy a used guitar. Before long, he was playing his music for jubilant crowds all over the world. Blues Boy chronicles B. B. King’s inspiring journey from his childhood in the Jim Crow South to global stardom. It is a compelling biography about the widely known and celebrated American music figure as well as a beautifully illustrated picture book with themes of family, community, history, kindness, empathy, and justice.

Acclaimed author Alice Faye Duncan makes B.B. King’s story both accessible and inspiring for young readers. The text is sometimes uplifting and sometimes heart-wrenching, but always carries emotional depth, much like the music it celebrates. Illustrator and visual artist Carl Joe Williams provides artwork that is rich and distinctive, bringing B.B. King’s story to life on every page. Blues Boy will find a place on the shelf with books like Trombone Shorty and Radiant Child. Includes backmatter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063334021
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/27/2026
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Alice Faye Duncan has written fourteen celebrated picture books, including Yellow Dog Blues; Evicted; Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop; and Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free.  She was a National Board library media specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, for thirty years and travels the nation speaking about the American civil rights movement. Alice Faye Duncan lives in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Carl Joe Williams is a renowned visual artist and illustrator whose work juxtaposes reality with the abstract. His first picture book was Mardi Gras Almost Didn’t Come This Year by Kathy Z. Price. In a starred review, ALA Booklist described the illustrations in the book to be “as powerful as the story.” Born and raised in New Orleans, his cultural heritage is reflected in his pieces, which often explore themes of social injustice, unity, and the human spirit. He brings his dynamic blend of color, texture, and form to his picture book illustrations, which provoke thought and inspire dialogue among readers.