Want to Be in a Band?

by Suzzy Roche, Giselle Potter (Illustrations)

Do you want to be in a band? Well, here's how! First, bug your two older sisters to start a band, and then beg them to join. (It helps if they already know how to sing and play guitar.) Then there are some tricky parts, like getting over STAGEFRIGHT and practicing until the tips of your fingers ache and playing gigs at not-so-big-time music clubs. At least, that's the way our little sister narrator explains it in her "guide" on how to start a band, based on the real-life experiences of author Suzzy Roche.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens, Fiction

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2013

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My seven-year-old is really into the guitar lately, and he just loved this book about making your own band. He usually likes books without so many words on the page, but this just captivated him. He answered all the questions out loud, and loved all the pictures of guitars, and looking for Blue, the dog. The illustrations were fun and different, and I enjoyed them especially. I figured he might like the guitar on the front and the title, but the whole thing was a surprise hit for us.

[EJLJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and inspiring true story.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

So you wanna be a rock 'n' roll star?

[Cooper Renner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet tale of becoming a professional musician clearly based on Roche’s life.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about Sisters and forming a band ....

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picture book based on the author's life as a folk musician with her sisters in a band called the Roches. Story is good, I like the personal feel to the text. I have to admit I'm not a big fan of Giselle Potter's illustrations -- and this was hard for me to overcome. Will this book appeal to children? Don't know, honestly, I wouldn't expect it to. Fans of the band will enjoy it, in fact, I can see adults liking this book much more than kids. But I could be wrong. Reading this inspired me to look up the band and listen to some of their music, well worth it! A good one to know about.

2 starred reviews: Booklist, PW.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: informational book
Copyright: 2013



A girl decides to be in a band so that she asks her two older sister to form a band with her. In the beginning, their performance is not very good. They keep learning and practicing year by year. Eventually, their music is loved by many people. They still keep practicing and performing although they are getting old. These three sisters cooperated together and give support to one another. The story also shows the girls' perseverance and cooperation by telling the process they form a band.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever watched a concert and thought "I could do that"? They make it look so easy. Just learn to play an instrument and sing. Wouldn't that be a great way to spend your time? But there may be some down sides to this. There are the achey fingers from practicing. The stage fright when you look out on all those faces. And all the gigs you need to play before you get famous. Do you think you can do it?

[Michelle Brandstetter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. It may be a pet peeve of mine, but I'd rather see messages in the positive, especially for children (i.e., Remember to practice versus don't forget to practice.) To me, it wasn't very clever and, at times, seems condescending. I think we should give children more credit than that and keep in mind if we make reading more entertaining for both the child and the adult, they'll want to read even more.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Wasn't what I expected, but I did like it. The author, at a young age, and her sisters did form a folk-indie rock band that lasted 30 years--the Roches. It seems there is a message for future artists.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like a keepsake book. The message, which is really about loving your family just as much as how to succeed in music, is delivered in fun and pithy language. The illustrations (which, I admit, took me some time to appreciate) are folksy and off beat.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holy words on each page, Batman! This book is definitely meant for an older crowd, and definitely not for a storytime with a large audience. Pictures are bright and colorful, but is it just me or do the eyes look weird on the people??

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by one of the sisters that made up The Roches, this picture book traces the story of the fictional band, The Thirds. Illustrations are watercolor and ink. For budding musicians, this will emphasize the importance of teamwork and practice.

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Semi autobiographical story of 3 sisters forming a band, written by the youngest sister of the folk group The Roches. Most interesting feature of the book is that it is written in 2nd person. Usually I like Gisselle Potter's illustrations but here they are just ordinary.

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Semi autobiographical story of 3 sisters forming a band, written by the youngest sister of the folk group The Roches. Most interesting feature of the book is that it is written in 2nd person. Usually I like Gisselle Potter's illustrations but here they are just ordinary.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible, beautiful little book! Suzzy Roche knows from whence she speaks on this subject and it certainly shows. I would totally read this to a little girl and then play her some The Roches albums. So much fun!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because the only way to do something is to do it exactly how Suzzy did it. Dreadful illustrations and not especially interesting text. Only of value to Roches fans, but alas, this book imparts nothing of their music.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations by Giselle Potter reminded me so much of her book Cecil the Pet Glacier that I had trouble focusing on this story. It was just me. Probably shouldn't have red them together.

[Librariansteph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels more like a book for the fans of the Roches than a book for kids.

[Maren Prestegaard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great unless you know/love the Roches. I didn't like the illustrations and somehow the book felt preachy and boring.
Could have been much more.

[Elizabeth]

Music review July 2015

[Holly Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book. Not only does it promote music, creativity, and a growth mindset, it is about 3 sisters. I have 3 girls and it’s very hard to find books that have 3 sisters. My oldest daughter, who was 2 years old at the time, sat through it but I have to admit that I’m not a fan of the illustrations and I don’t think most kids would be either. I think I’d give it a 5 star review if it weren’t for the illustrations.