One of School Library Journal's "28 Picture Book Biographies for Black History Month and All Year"
One of the Horn Books "7 picture book biographies celebrating Black excellence"
"A salute to a musical genius with a uniquely independent spirit... Princes meteoric career offers an example that will entice readers with big, creative dreams of their own. A soaring drive to inspire, with appropriately hued art and prose." * Kirkus Reviews * "A lyrical and accessible text illuminates Princes artistry, highlighting the obstacles he overcame and painting a compelling picture of his resilience... Thadas illustrations enrich the narrative with vibrant, textured images that seem to dance alongside the words. Her use of bold purples, blues, and gold brings Princes electrifying stage presence and his more introspective moments to life. One spread shows Prince mid-leap, diving off the stage into the audience, conveying the energy and intimacy of his live performances. Thada also includes visual nods to Princes memorable outfits that longtime fans will appreciate." * The Horn Book * "Burgess employs brief anecdotes to detail Princes personality and arc toward stardom... What comes through is Princes hard work and creative vision... In Thadas colorblock shapes and velvety textures, a memorable closing spread depicts Prince as a child sitting on pillows atop a piano bench, across the gutter from an adult Prince playing for a packed-out crowdconnecting Princes adulthood with his childhood as a small kid with enormous talent.'" * Publishers Weekly * "[ A] glowing picture-book biography of the iconic Prince Nelson Rogers aka The Purple One aka The Artist aka aka Prince... Thada's illustrations elevate the proceedings with true artistry, with the kind of dynamic presentation and colorful flourish befitting of the subject matter. A vibrant story that will inspire young artists and music historians." * Booklist * A fascinating and vivid picture book biography of music icon Prince. The work traces his journey from childhood to superstardom with an electric narrative. Dynamic Readers may or may not know of Prince, but they will love discovering a person who forged a unique path to superstardom and created a distinctive style that reshaped music and culture. VERDICT: For music collections, biography, or even Americana, this book lends itself to story hours and certainly as an icebreaker for conversations on style, substance, and marching to the beat of a different drummer. * School Library Journal * STARRED REVIEW! "In this oversized and luminous tribute to Prince, Burgess tells the comprehensive story of a multi-talented icon, from childhood to worldwide fame. Prince led a complicated life and a selective retelling, with emphasis on his singularity, persistence, and musical gifts feels like the right decision... Sirin Thadas full-page, watercolor illustrations tell an engrossing and creative tale. Filled with bold colors (purple is a recurring element), they also embrace unconventional perspectives while providing a realistic look at Princes life... These touches will make the story come alive, even for kids who are new to Princes music... Theres a lot of adult Prince fans out there who will thrill at the chance to share his talent with their kids... His story will be an inspiration to music lovers of all ages." * Youth Services Book Review *
