Elvis Is King!

This picture book biography from the duo behind Here Comes the Garbage Barge! conveys the story of Elvis Presley's life, from crushing loneliness and poverty early on to his first #1 hit, "Heartbreak Hotel." Reality and fantasy blend together in the cinematically styled and lit compositions: when young Presley first hears gospel music coming from a rural African-American church "on a dusty road," the building seems to ascend to heaven on wings (an afterword delves further into his rise within the context of America's racial history). Wire, clay, and cloth sculptures by Red Nose Studio find an ideal subject in Presley's operatic emotions, jet black-dyed pompadour (depicted here in tidal wave proportions), and kinetic hip swiveling. Winter's text reads like blank verse and matches the images' emotional power on every page: "What would you do if you were just a poor country boy in the big city... What crazy plans might you concoct, lying in bed at night, listening to the freight trains passing by?"Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

Gr 3-5—Readers might know Elvis as the King of Rock and Roll, but will they know his dad spent 14 months in jail? Using short, titled stanzas, the author tells of Elvis's road to stardom, gracefully weaving together the highs and lows of a poor country boy rocketing to fame and riches. The illustrations were created using painted clay and repurposed objects and are almost more fascinating than the narrative. Each clay figurine expresses so much emotion—and no detail is left untouched. The cover gives some explanations regarding the art behind the illustrations and a video link will explain more for amazed and curious readers. An author's note that briefly discusses some cultural aspects of music at Elvis's time is included. This book has much to offer on many levels, from sparking curiosity through the original artwork to opening discussions about culture and music to providing a biographical view of an iconic musician. VERDICT Unique and artistic, this biography will not only entertain readers, but will also leave them with a deeper understanding of Elvis.—Emily Beasley, Omaha Public Schools

Key: * Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre ] Tr Hardcover trade binding ] lib. ed. Publisher's library binding ] Board Board book ] pap. Paperback ] e eBook original ] BL Bilingual ] POP Popular Picks