Danté Plays His Blues

by Allen R. Wells, Shamar Knight-Justice (Illustrator)

Overview

"A resonant tale of a boy dealing with change in his own way." —Kirkus Reviews

From debut author Allen R. Wells and New York Times bestselling illustrator Shamar Knight-Justice comes a tender and heartwarming picture book about a boy affected by housing insecurity who learns the power of expressing his feelings through music.

When Danté and his mother lose their housing, they move in with Uncle Ron and Uncle Joe. It’s tough at first, as Danté misses his friends and his neighborhood, so Uncle Ron teaches him to play the saxophone. Together they practice every day, DO-RE-MI-FA-RROOWWRR! Learning how to play is hard, especially when you have the blues. Can Danté turn his blues into his muse? 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063216259
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/09/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Allen R. Wells grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where he spent a lot of time with his head stuck in a book or creating worlds through his words or solving problems and puzzles. He is the author of It’s Pride, Baby! When he isn’t writing, Allen is trekking around the world, designing and building engineering systems. He lives in Virginia, and you can visit him online at allenwriteswell.com. 

Shamar Knight-Justice is an illustrator and educator based in Atlanta. His artwork focuses on mixed media and unique textures and patterns. Shamar intentionally highlights Black and Brown children in his work because he wants the fullness of their identities to be celebrated in picture books. He is the illustrator of Ari J.’s Kinky, Curly Crown; Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince; and Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day. Visit him online at shamarknightjustice.com. 

Editorial Reviews

"This is an exceptional work that deserves the widest possible audience." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"A tender story with a thoughtful message about coping and acceptance." — Booklist (starred review)

"A resonant tale of a boy dealing with change in his own way." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-04-20
Danté and his mother are forced to leave their home and stay with Uncle Ron until they get back on their feet.

Danté recognizes that Mama’s heart is as broken as his own when they’re displaced from their beloved neighborhood, Luna Park, with its city pool and all Danté’s friends. At their new home, Dante’s uncles and older cousin greet them with open arms, big smiles, and welcome signs, but it’s the sight of Uncle Joe playing his guitar and Uncle Ron blowing his saxophone that distracts Danté from his pain. As Uncle Ron teaches Danté to play the sax, the boy opens up about what’s bringing him down, and Uncle Ron offers some words of wisdom: “Turn yo’ blues into yo’ muse.” Danté practices playing his sax (named Luna after his old neighborhood) all summer, and as the book closes, he performs onstage. “It isn’t perfect,” he admits, but he keeps going—a thoughtful metaphor for his own experiences. Sometimes, Wells suggests, that’s all we can do. The mixed-media illustrations, which incorporate textured papers and sheet music, make for a lively and cathartic journey through hardship and the challenges of learning to make music. Knight-Justice uses deeply saturated hues of blue to depict the sounds filling the room as Danté plays; she portrays this loving Black family and community with varying shades of brown. The result is an authentic introduction to the blues and the music’s cultural legacy.

A resonant tale of a boy dealing with change in his own way. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews