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Black Cat Bone: The Life of Blues Legend Robert Johnson
He goes to pickin' notes ungodly
From a land unknown, singin'
like a blackbird possessed . . .
Little Robert grew up fast.
He came from the muddy back roads of Mississippi, lived largely in mystery, and died young, leaving behind little more than two grainy photographs and a batch of tinny recordings. But with a guitar in his hands, he played and sang the blues like none before. His name? Robert a man some have called the root of rock 'n' roll, a musician trailed by rumors that his guitar was tuned by the devil.
The poems of J. Patrick Lewis, haunting illustrations of Gary Kelley, and musical lyrics of Robert Johnson himself harmonize in Black Cat Bone to tell the tale of this most legendary bluesman. As the poems explore the humble origins, rambling travels, and tragic death of Johnson, chalk illustrations offer a window onto the legends that have taken root to explain his extraordinary skills. An endnotes section at the back of the book lends factual footing to the story of this 1930s guitarist and singer, offering a fuller picture of his rise, fall, and the myth-steeped legacy that surrounds him still.
From a land unknown, singin'
like a blackbird possessed . . .
Little Robert grew up fast.
He came from the muddy back roads of Mississippi, lived largely in mystery, and died young, leaving behind little more than two grainy photographs and a batch of tinny recordings. But with a guitar in his hands, he played and sang the blues like none before. His name? Robert a man some have called the root of rock 'n' roll, a musician trailed by rumors that his guitar was tuned by the devil.
The poems of J. Patrick Lewis, haunting illustrations of Gary Kelley, and musical lyrics of Robert Johnson himself harmonize in Black Cat Bone to tell the tale of this most legendary bluesman. As the poems explore the humble origins, rambling travels, and tragic death of Johnson, chalk illustrations offer a window onto the legends that have taken root to explain his extraordinary skills. An endnotes section at the back of the book lends factual footing to the story of this 1930s guitarist and singer, offering a fuller picture of his rise, fall, and the myth-steeped legacy that surrounds him still.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2006
26 people want to read
About the author
J. Patrick Lewis
134 books104 followersJ. Patrick Lewis is the current Children's Poet Laureate. He has written more than seventy children's books, including Once Upon a Tomb: Gravely Humorous Verses. J. Patrick Lewis lives in Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 2, 2013
1/2/13 ** Take time to peruse this book slowly - it has layers like an onion. Each page has its own poem about some aspect of bluesman Robert Johnson. Some pages have lyrics of Johnson's songs. At the bottom of each page, there is a running footer of lines from yet another poem about Johnson's life. Finally, in a form of endnotes, there is an explanation of an aspect of Johnson's life to correspond with each poem.
Every page has lovely blue/black woodblock illustrations to complement the poems.
Every page has lovely blue/black woodblock illustrations to complement the poems.
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November 11, 2020I've heard, of course, the fabled tale of Robert Johnson and what is rumored to have happened on the crossroad that fateful night. I didn't, however, know the rest of his story and I definitely didn't expect to find it in a children's library.
Robert Johnson was the godfather of the blues and the root of rock and roll. He led an adventurous life that ended young at the age of 27. I think the poems between these pages do a marvelous job of capturing who he was, if only for a fleeting moment. I also really appreciated that they used his words between their own poems. It chronicles his life from start to finish, filling the gaps with his personality and music. I also liked that it ended with some background context for each poem. That was very helpful.
The art stands out to me as perfectly reflective of the tone, drenched in blacks and blues that sit starkly against the plain-white backdrop. Each illustration caught my breath, especially towards the end where Robert Johnson himself lays in casket across both pages. He seems larger-than-life, which - after reading the book - seems very fitting.
Robert Johnson was the godfather of the blues and the root of rock and roll. He led an adventurous life that ended young at the age of 27. I think the poems between these pages do a marvelous job of capturing who he was, if only for a fleeting moment. I also really appreciated that they used his words between their own poems. It chronicles his life from start to finish, filling the gaps with his personality and music. I also liked that it ended with some background context for each poem. That was very helpful.
The art stands out to me as perfectly reflective of the tone, drenched in blacks and blues that sit starkly against the plain-white backdrop. Each illustration caught my breath, especially towards the end where Robert Johnson himself lays in casket across both pages. He seems larger-than-life, which - after reading the book - seems very fitting.
May 30, 2020
I purchased the "Complete Recordings" of Robert Johnson very shortly after they were released. I have been a fan ever since I heard his music. I know the stories of the myth of the man and his soul that was traded for talent. His music is amazing. This book relates the story in poetry and fantastic art. It is a fine book. I wish only that it shared a few more of the facts regarding the discovery of Johnson's recordings.
August 17, 2010
Excellent poetry that makes good use of its blues subject as a poetic device. This very short verse biography is formatted as a picture book (with fabulous illustrations), but I worry that the picture book format means that the teens who would find this book interesting will never pick it up.
May 10, 2015
Lyrics to songs and poems.
June 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews