Double Bass Blues

A young double bass player faces obstacles en route to his grandfather's house in this visual ode to the blues. Resting his cheek alongside melodic vibrations emanating from the instrument, Nic, who is black, seems harmoniously connected to his music. After a teacher applauds the performance, the diverse band packs up ("Epic solo, Nic!") and heads out ("Catch you later!"). But Nic faces quite a commute outside the band room's peace. With silent determination, he scales a suburban fence ("Ooof!"), faces a growling dog ("Grrrrrrrr!"), and navigates a bustling cityscape that drips with inclement weather ("Plunk, plunk, plunk") and public commentary ("It's bigger than him!" two children laugh, pointing at the bass). Persisting through storm and ridicule, Nic finally arrives at his grandfather's city building--only to find the elevator out. But his celebrated arrival, at a loving, musical oasis not dissimilar from the practice room, offers him the space to make music based on his journey's travails. Sparse, onomatopoeic text by Loney (Bunnybear) and vibrant, cubist-style art by Gutierrez (Mama and Me) combine to create a harmony of sound and emotion through a child's journey, his family's warmth, and music's restorative powers. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 1-3--In an explosion of vibrant color (thanks to Rudy Gutierrez's liquid acrylics), young Nic wins kudos for his double bass solo with the school orchestra, but faces a tough journey home. Lugging his beloved (but bulky) bull fiddle, the boy is harassed and taunted on his long trip, and is finally faced with an out-of-service elevator and multiple flights of stairs. Happily, he finds not only his loving grandfather waiting for him, but some of granddaddy's jazz-playing buddies sitting with their instruments at the ready, sorely in need of that boy and his bull fiddle. Colorful, full of movement, limited in text but loaded with emotion, this is an ode to the diversity of music and the determination of a talented kid. VERDICT A dramatic and emotional selection for older readers than the usual picture book audience, particularly kids who love music and have had their own tough journeys home. --Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Caldecott Honor Award Winner

"Simple language complements complex paintings to create the perfect literary melody." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"A harmony of sound and emotion through a child's journey, his family's warmth, and music's restorative powers." -Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"A book about a lot of things—music, and determination, and straddling worlds, and the celebration of Black boyhood and family—that nevertheless feels cohesive and effortless." -Horn Book, Starred Review

"Acrylic paintings in rich colors exude movement and energy.... Readers will understand that Nic's talent brings him great joy." —Booklist

"Multiple layers will invite a second viewing as viewers look beyond the light-touched close-ups of Nic's face to the outlined figures of busy travelers and whorls of music where each note head carries an expression in this visually emotive story." —Bulletin

"Colorful, full of movement, limited in text but loaded with emotion, this is an ode to the diversity of music and the determination of a talented kid." —School Library Journal