Product Description

"White Trash" was what they called the boy, just because he wore hand-me-down overalls and lived on the wrong side of the tracks over near Shake Rag. Oh, how things changed when his mama scrimped and saved to buy him a second-hand guitar. It was his best friend. But he caught the real fever from the "good news" gospel music and the sweet rich jazz that poured out of the juke joints in that town. One day he would show all of the doubters. With his music, one day, he would wake up the world! Amy Littlesugar and artist Floyd Cooper create a powerful book that challenges the rumors and stereotypes of one of the most controversial musical legends of our time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1574388 in Books
• Published on: 1998-10-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Littlesugar's (Jonkonnu) evocative picture book about the boyhood of this rock and roll legend takes place in dirt-poor, mostly black Shake Rag, Tenn., in 1946, far from the grand gates of Graceland where Presley would one day live. Eleven-year-old Elvis never goes anywhere without his treasured secondhand guitar. He finds his inspiration in the radio songs of Mr. Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup and other blues guitarists and longs to play the kind of music he hears during clandestine visits to the traveling Sanctified Church?music that some people, "black as well as white," called "the devil's music" ("They didn't think much of that bluesy piano playing or the soft wail of a horn on the hot night air"). These early influences would help land Presley his first recording contract at 19 and bring him worldwide fame. Cooper's signature oil-wash paintings?luminous as ever and glowing in tones of browns, yellows and earthy greens?draw readers into a fascinating era. Scenes of worshipers swaying and shouting in the revival tent, run-down storefronts in the glow of a lone streetlight and the portrait of a blues guitarist?eyes closed, lost in his playing?are not soon forgotten. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-A poignant glimpse of Elvis Presley's lonely childhood and of the impact made upon him by the people, both black and white, from the poor side of town-Shake Rag. Friendless at school, he had as his only companion an old guitar; his dreams gave him the courage of hope. Music consumed him and on a visit to the Sanctified Church, a traveling tent troupe, he reveled in the power of gospel melodies. The quality of storytelling is remarkable; readers will feel that the author is speaking over their shoulders as she tells them of a special friend. Soft, muted oil-wash paintings characterize the boy's dream time, blending reality and imagination into one entity. The artist features a rich golden wave of color to illuminate vast scenes as well as an ever-changing light source to draw attention to the child and the people who touch his life. Cooper is at his brilliant best as he creates moving emotional portraits of individuals and of the changes in mood of the young Elvis.
Ronald Jobe, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

The King Lives!
I orginally purchased this book for my Mom who is a real huge Elvis Presley fan. She was delighted to add this book to her evergrowing collection of Elvis thins. One day, while listening to an Elvis CD - my four year old started asking questions about Elvis. Talk about coincidence! We pulled out the book and Grandma read the story based on Elvis's beginnings. She had tears in her eyes remembering how Elvis came from nothing and rose to such awesomeness. My four year old loved the book too. A great gift for an Elvis fan or for reading and teaching a young child about his life. Nicely written for children to understand and beatuifully illustrated. A must have!!!