Angelina Jolie Book

3.5 stars... This book looks thoroughly appealing with bright folk art depictions of the stars of country and western. A page or so of musical biography accompanies each of the portraits. The book would be nothing without the pictures- I think that's what gets one to open the book, but at the same time, the text provides good, substantive and interesting content if you like music. We learn that the Carter family was country music's first famous group, that Jimmy Rodgers was known as the Singing Brakeman, because he earned his income working on the railroad and wore his train overalls when he performed, that Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, started performing when he was five, and that we can thank Hank Williams for bringing country and western to a national audience. My favorite part of the book, however, is the portraits.
By the same team that did Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Founders of Rock and Roll - which features Elvis on the cover. A good book for a music collection for older elementary and maybe junior high.

CIP: Profiles important and influential performers of country and western music, including the Carter family, Roy Acuff, Gene Autry, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn.

Booklist: Country music fans will relish it… The illustrations by an award-winning illustrator provide a unique folk-art quality to the book. This is a true gem that makes country music come to life." (K-5)

PW: This album deserves a few rhinestones, but appeals to those already familiar with that good ole Nashville music." (age 6-10)

Hornbook: informative and lighthearted - fans of any age will enjoy this paean to roots music.