Kid Musicians: True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters, and Stars

by Robin Stevenson Narrated by Pete Cross

Overview

Inspiring, relatable, and totally true biographies tell the childhood stories of a diverse group of musicians, including Taylor Swift, Louis Armstrong, Harry Styles, Mariah Carey, Yo-Yo Ma, Paul McCartney, and 10 other influential performers.

Every great musician started out as a kid-and many discovered their love of music early on. Whether they became world-famous pop stars, groundbreaking jazz artists, or award-winning songwriters, these musicians pushed boundaries and left their mark. In Kid Musicians, tune in to the childhood stories of musical legends such as:

• Beyoncé, who used to play truth or dare in the middle of the night with the rest of her music group.
• Dolly Parton, who sometimes made up her own title, author, and story when she had to give a book report in class.
• Louis Armstrong, who played instruments in parades all over New Orleans.
• Taylor Swift, who grew up on a Christmas tree farm!

Kid Musicians highlights renowned musicians who have made an impact on the world of music.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Informative and compelling.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Hand this book (and others in the series) to reluctant readers when it is time for a biography assignment. . . . An interesting look at some famous musicians when they were ‘just kids.’”—Lisa Crandall, School Library Journal

Praise for the Kid Legends series:
“Telling the true stories of famous people’s childhoods, this book inspires kids to think big and humanizes historical figures in a new and fresh way.”—CNN Underscored, on Kid Innovators by Robin Stevenson

“These reads aren’t just educational, they’re inspiring – they remind us all that we’re never too young to start dreaming! Plus – they’re a great resource for school projects!”—YAYOMG.com, on Kid Innovators by Robin Stevenson

“Kids will be drawn in.”—Chicago Parent, on Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson
 
“The vivid details of each activist's story, combined with vibrant illustrations, demonstrate that every civil rights hero and popular firebrand started out as children, just like the rest of us.”—School Library Journal, on Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson

“A great way to encourage kids who already love science to pursue their interests as well as to show kids who are not motivated by traditional schooling that there are many paths to greatness.”—American Scientist Magazine, on Kid Scientists by David Stabler

“Illustrate[s] a wide variety of early influences and backgrounds, proving to kids that where they come from isn't important when fixing something that is.”—Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm Sez, on Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson
 
“Outstanding... Inspiring and entertaining.”—Booklist, starred review, on Kid Athletes by David Stabler
 
“A heartening reminder that 17 unconventional greats—not to mention all the rest—started out as children too.”—Kirkus Reviews, on Kid Artists by David Stabler
 
“Just like history class, only hilarious.”—Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever, on Kid Presidents by David Stabler
 
“Full of real information, but the author made it fun and funny.”—Michael, age 9, on Kid Authors by David Stabler

School Library Journal

10/01/2024

Gr 4 Up—This compilation of short, casual biographies of 16 musicians ranges from jazz legends Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald to modern pop stars Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Many (but not all) of the up-and-coming musicians overcame childhood obstacles (poverty, racism, unstable living conditions, child abuse), but almost all had supportive parents/adults in their lives. The large font is easy to read, and the generous white space around the text and large illustrations keeps the informative pages from being intimidating. The writing is casual, but occasionally clunky with run-on sentences that can feel too chatty. Steinfeld's bright cartoon illustrations emphasize the child-focused nature of these biographical sketches. Hand this book (and others in the series) to reluctant readers when it is time for a biography assignment. Students might need to supplement for a complete picture of their report subject, but this book should certainly keep their interest and provide a solid starting point. VERDICT An interesting look at some famous musicians when they were "just kids."—Lisa Crandall

Kirkus Reviews

2024-08-17
Digestible nonfiction summaries of the childhoods of musicians and performers from the 20th and 21st centuries.

The latest title in the Kid Legends series focuses on big names in the music industry, from those who are more recognizable to young readers today (Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles) to older legends (Ella Fitzgerald, Prince, Yo-Yo Ma). The content is divided into four themed parts: “Dreamers to Pop Superstars,” “Jazz Clubs and Concert Halls,” “Songwriting and Music-Making,” and “Rhythm and Blues and the Motown Sound.” Each section includes four powerhouse performers. The focus is primarily on each person’s childhood, including challenges they faced. Stevenson also covers their adult accomplishments and accolades, advocacy efforts, and experiences of segregation and discrimination. She provides brief, meaningful explanations for elements of the stories that readers may be unfamiliar with; in Joni Mitchell’s profile, she describes polio epidemics and the lack of a vaccine when she was young, information that helps contextualize the singer’s bout with the disease. Humanizing details—Dolly Parton lived in poverty and was bullied at school; Cher struggled with dyslexia—provide readers with reassurance that people's lives, even ones filled with success and celebrity, are complex and storied. The full-color spot-art illustrations throughout break up the text and capture some iconic images.

Informative and compelling; a useful and meaningful resource. (bibliography, index)(Nonfiction. 9-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940190966640
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	11/12/2024
Series:	Kid Legends Series , #10
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

Introduction

Do you sing along to your favorite songs or enjoy putting on shows with your friends? Maybe you play a musical instrument or think you might like to learn how to someday. Whether you make music or just love hearing it, one thing is for sure: music is an essential part of life for people all over the world.
Music can make us want to dance. It can inspire us to create art or motivate us to run faster. It can allow us to express our feelings, helping us cry when we are sad and adding to our pleasure and sense of belonging when we come together to celebrate.
There are so many different kinds of music to listen to and learn about: classical, jazz, rhythm and blues, reggae, country, pop, hip-hop, and many more! And music is always changing, as each new generation of musicians learns from the lessons and legacies of those that came before them, building on the innovations of the past to create their own unique sounds.
The musicians in this book composed, sang, played, and performed in ways that pushed boundaries and changed the world of music. Today, they are all famous—but of course, they were once kids, too.
Some of these musicians started learning their craft at an early age. When Mariah Carey was just a toddler, she used to listen to her opera singer mother practicing her scales. Yo-Yo Ma’s father began teaching him the cello when he was three years old.
Many of them knew they would be musicians when they were still children. A young Prince told his teacher that he was going to be a rock-and-roll star, and eleven-year-old Cher spent hours practicing her signature for when she became famous. Still, other people didn’t necessarily believe these future musicians. When Dolly Parton announced that she was going to Nashville to become a country singer, her classmates laughed at her.
Childhood was difficult for some of these musicians. In New Orleans, little Louis Armstrong dropped out of school at age eleven and learned to play trumpet in a reform school. Growing up in the 1950s, singers Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder often faced racism and discrimination. And in the Canadian prairies, singersongwriter Joni Mitchell spent months in the hospital battling polio.
Some of these musicians were very poor before they became successful. Reggae artist Bob Marley found himself homeless at age seventeen, and singer Ella Fitzgerald lived on the streets for a time until she won a talent contest as a teenager.
But no matter how great their talent or how challenging the obstacles in their paths, all of these musicians started out as kids who loved to play and be creative. Stevie Wonder rode on a bicycle with his brother, Harry Styles liked dressing up in a dalmatian costume, and Taylor Swift invented imaginative stories on her family’s Christmas tree farm. Classical pianist Glenn Gould loved animals so much that he even made a newspaper for his pets!
These musicians pursued their dreams and made music that has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. Many of them inspired each other! Ella Fitzgerald used to imitate Louis Armstrong’s singing, Mariah Carey was a big fan of Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé studied the musical careers of Diana Ross and Prince, and Taylor Swift’s first demo tape included songs by Dolly Parton.
Through music, people are able to communicate feelings and ideas—which means that songs can bring people together and help make big changes in the world we live in. Music has formed the soundtrack for movements towards civil rights, social justice, and world peace.
All the musicians in this book have created music that has enriched our world. We hope their stories and music will enrich your life, too.

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