The History of Rock: For Big Fans and Little Punks

by Rita Nabais, Joana Raimundo (Illustrator)

Overview

The History of Rock: For Big Fans and Little Punks is a magical mystery tour through popular music history, featuring trailblazing acts from the 1950s to the present. Colorful, stylish illustrations bring to life artists like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Joan Jett, and Madonna, plus bands such as The Beatles, The Clash, Beastie Boys, and Pearl Jam, all of whom have inspired countless boys and girls to become musicians over the past 70 years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629377339
Publisher:	Triumph Books
Publication date:	09/24/2019
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Rita Nabais is an accomplished rock music DJ and a music researcher. She has a Master's degree in English and American Culture and is also a teacher and a publisher. Joana Raimundo is a published illustrator, animator, and designer. She worked in Portugal and Italy after studying drawing and illustration in Barcelona, and she has collaborated on several children’s books, some of which became part of the official recommended books for children in Portugal.

Editorial Reviews

11/04/2019

Through capsule biographies of the many musicians across genres whose works can be classified as rock, Nabais attempts to capture the breadth and influence of a famously slippery, expansive, and syncretic genre. The text focuses on personalities, biographical details, and record sales over the memorable sounds these artists created, offering a strangely muted picture of a musical revolution (Run DMC’s “initial songs were really innovative, mixing Rock with Hip-Hop”) and some assessments that miss the mark (“Debbie was really pretty and had a strong sense of style... and that’s why she became a Pop icon”). A comprehensive glossary offers slightly more detail about the defining elements of the many rock subgenres mentioned throughout, but additional information early on might have been useful for young readers lacking context. Raimundo’s smoothly stylized portraits effectively convey the musicians’ signature looks. Ages 9–12. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"This is a delightful and engaging book about a subject very near to my heart. I will look forward to sharing it with my son as he gets older."
— Michael Beinhorn, producer (Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith)


"What a fun, valuable book! The History of Rock: For Big Fans and Little Punks is both comprehensive and accessible, providing entry points for everyone from Chuck Berry to The XX. It is sure to blow countless young minds."
— Steven Hyden, critic and bestselling author of Your Favorite Band Is Killing Me and Twilight of the Gods
 


"I seriously enjoyed The History of Rock: For Big Fans and Little Punks. It’s a really fun, informative read!"
— Matt Pinfield, video DJ on MTV and VH1 and bestselling author of All These Things That I’ve Done
 

From the Publisher

10/25/2019

Gr 3–7-For those middle-grade readers that are ready to rock, this slim introduction to some of the greatest artists in rock and roll history might be the resource to get them going. The short chapters follow a mostly chronological order. Each paragraph within the chapters explains the musician's origin story, their music, and the importance of their contribution. A table provides pertinent biographical information, a suggested song list, and a fun fact. The shining stars of this volume are the colorful, caricature-style illustrations that accompany each biography. More so than the text itself, the illustrations offer a window into the personality and style of each performer and will undoubtedly draw readers in. As an introduction, this volume is highly browsable and will provide a foundation to encourage further exploration. At times, the biographies suffer a bit from overgeneralized platitudes such as "of all time" and "to this day." VERDICT Consider purchasing for large collections that are looking for broader coverage of rock and roll history.-Louie Lauer, Jefferson Elementary School, Fargo, ND

School Library Journal