The Beatles

by Mick Manning, Brita Granström (Illustrator)

Mick Manning and Brita Granström tell the story of the Beatles in the vivid and exciting style that has become the hallmark of their books. This illustrated story covers John Lennon’s Liverpool childhood with Auntie Mimi and his school band the Quarrymen, the friendship between Paul McCartney and George Harrison and their entry into the band, renaming the band the Beatles, the arrival of Brian Epstein as manager, the tour to Hamburg, record label boss George Martin’s influence, Ringo Starr joining the group, fame and screaming fans, the famous tour to the USA, the making of the albums, key hit songs, and films, their visit to India and the influence of Indian spirituality, and finally the breakup of the band and the beginning of solo careers for each of the Fab Four.

Genres: Music, Picture Books, Childrens, Biography, Nonfiction, History, British Literature

48 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2013

About the author

Manning went to school in Keighley and then studied at at Bradford College. He studied illustration and graphic design at Newcastle Polytechnic (now the University of Northumbria) 1979 - 82 and then illustration and animation at the Royal College of Art London 1984-87 . Later he devised and ran the BA honours Illustration option at the Glasgow School of Art while maintaining a freelance career. In 1998 he resigned to concentrate on writing and illustrating children's books full-time. British artist-illustrators Xavier Pick, Helen Stephens and Mark Hearld number among his ex-students. Manning's first book A Ruined House was chosen by Quentin Blake in The Laureate's Party (Red Fox) as one of his personal top 50 children's books of all time. Manning is known for his collaborations as author and co-illustrator with partner Brita Granström. Books from their young non-fiction series "Wonderwise" won the TES, Silver Smarties and English Association Awards and were also shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prizes (then called The Rhone Poulenc) on three occasions. They won The English Association award again in 2005 with Voices of the Rainforest and again in 2008 with Greek Hero. Their book Yuck! is referenced in the Mike Leigh film Happy Go Lucky. Tail End Charlie, a picture book about his father's Second World War experience as an RAF air gunner during 1944 was shortlisted for, and televised on, the Blue Peter Book Awards 2010. It was also shortlisted for the ALCS Award and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal 2010. Manning is a direct descendant of 18th Century Italian artist Bonifacio Musso, and Musso's London-born son Charles Muss who was himself, among many other things, a British illustrator. In 2011 Mick and Brita won a fourth English Association Award with the follow up to Tail-End Charlie; Taff in the WAAF a fascinating book about his mother's war including her experiences as a Chicksands 'Y' station listener for Bletchley Park. In 2011 he was elected a Fellow of The English Association.

Manning's other children's non fiction picture books include science titles such as: How Did I Begin? (this book looks at the amazing development of a human baby from fertilised egg to birth and was shortlisted for the Rhone Poulenc Prize in 1996) Woolly Mammoth (with the NHM, London), Dino Dinners (with the NHM, London), Nature Adventures and 'What Mr Darwin Saw, (this book about the life of Charles Darwin and his discoveries was shortlisted for the Royal Society's science book prize in 2011.)

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few days ago I was talking about John Lennon and my daughter asked "Who is John Lennon?" What?! How is it possible that we have begun so many days with Here Comes The Sun and I have not properly educated my kids on The Fab Four? This book is truly fantastic for that purpose! Though it isn't newly published, it happened to be karmically displayed up in the new book section of the children's area. It is a combination of cartoony illustrations and snippets of information spanning from the band's beginnings through their rise in fame with some light commentary on the politics of the band and relevant events occurring at the time that influenced their music. Did you know that Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds was inspired by a drawing made by Julian Lennon or that "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da police goes on, bra" was an actual phrase used by a friend of Paul's? Lots of fun!

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you remember the thrill and anticipation of each new Beatles single? If your kids are just beginning to enjoy a Beatles track,
maybe wondering what all the fuss was about...and how did it start? What was it like back then when British pop was only just kicking off? This book is for you – the whole tale of the young Beatles lads, their talent, personalities and exciting rise to fame. I'm amazed how well the illustrations capture the young Beatles 'to a T' and the lively story is warmly told. A great addition to any bookshelf.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A winningly illustrated picture book that runs the gamut of the Beatles' lives and careers, through their childhoods and their heyday in the 1960s. All the anecdotes about the band and the stories about how the songs developed should be interesting to a casual fan as well as a passionate Beatlemaniac.

I felt old when I read this little sidebar:

"There was no digital music, or CDs, back then: only records made of a sort of plastic. The music came from a spiral groove in the record's surface that was picked up electronically by a needle called a 'stylus.' Mass-produced, affordable radios and record players encouraged teenagers to listen to and collect 'singles.'"

A fun book to introduce young readers to the band that took the world by storm.

[Susan Dunker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great kid's biography of the Beatles!

[Ella Schilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly accurate telling of the Beatles story from the beginning to end. The sketch and watercolour paintings are pleasing to the eye, and make good use of colour and perspective.

I was impressed to find several key but very specific moments isolated and rendered in drawing. For example, Paul and John sitting side by side, guitars pointing opposite directions, and Paul still using an upside-down right handed one, and they're working through a song. Later, John leaning over the piano Paul is playing, and the excitement on his features when Paul strikes what must've been that Bm7 chord that solidified the genius of "I Want to Hold Your Hand". "That's it! Do that again!" Magic. Key people are discussed, from Ivan Vaughan to Ravi Shankar. And even a surreal scene involving a real flaming (chicken) pie. Well, I am going to have to look into this. Each page is filled with a full painting, and there are text boxes overlaying them, with smaller illustrations to help explain things. So we get random but appropriately placed nuggets of information, such as: How Ringo wrote "Octopus's Garden", How John wrote "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (including a surprisingly accurate imitation of Julian's original drawing), and the Quarry Men playing "Come Go With Me". (Complete with red checked shirt but sadly lacking the banjo player, Rod Davis.)

Overall, highly recommended. It combines humour, context, real quotes, general accuracy, pleasing paintings and illustrations, and a well-paced timeline, elements that other Beatles' picture books authors have sometimes struggled with providing all in one book. And all this in an impressive 56 pages.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mick Manning follows the Beatles through their childhoods through stardom and their split. The introduction and mini stories are placed in one giant timeline throughout the book. Illustrations are colorful with funny speech bubbles. The book talks about various famous Beatles hits and includes a timeline at the end that traces the Beatles' rise to stardom and split against what was happening in the world. The book includes a list of references and a list of the Beatles' films and songs. Fascinating introduction to the Beatles.

[Javier HG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este es un libro recomendado para aquellos padres que quieran iniciar a sus hijos en la historia de la música pop, porque esta es una historia de Los Beatles contada para niños, y evidentemente esos significa brevedad y "blancura" (no espereis referencias a drogas y demás), pero la verdad es que leyéndola se logra un buen nivel de conocimiento: cómo se conocieron, cómo evolucionó sus música, el porqué de algunas de sus canciones... Los dibujos que acompañan la historia son muy buenos y coloridos.

Lo dicho, para amantes de la música que quieran pasar esa afición a sus hijos.

[Michael Cawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable children’s introduction to the Beatles

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world knows how four young men from Liverpool changes the sound and look of popular music, but this book provides anecdotes that will help readers feel as though they know the musicians. Using a cartoonish style and snippets of information and very short text, the book tells a little bit about the formative years of John Lennon and Paul McCartney and how they formed their musical partnership. The creators steer away from most of the negative aspects of the four men's careers, going to great pains to discuss their songs and how their music continues to influence others today. Clearly, the book was created by individuals familiar with the lads from Liverpool and their sounds. I couldn't help thinking that once again Ringo and George got the short end of the stick since there's not a lot of detail included about their early years before joining the Beatles.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mick Manningin ja Brita Granströmin "The Beatles" (Frances Lincoln, 2014) on sympaattinen tietokuvakirja eräästä liverpoolilaisesta bändistä, josta tuli aikanaan melko iso nimi maailmalla. Olet ehkä kuullutkin heistä? Hyvä! Nyt on aika kertoa tuo sama tarina lapsille, ja siihen tämä kirja sopii oikein hyvin. Faktat tuntuivat olevan kohdillaan ja pari uutta anekdoottia opin itsekin. Kuvitukseen olisi hetkittäin voinut satsata vähän enemmän, mutta hyvä näinkin. Oikein kiva kirja.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

En esta aventura llegamos a descubrir los temas que marcaron un antes y un después para cada uno. También todas esas personas importantes que pasaron por sus vidas y los dejaron muy pronto. Las idas y venidas de este grupo antes de que el grupo se rompiera por completo, y las bandas que siguieron luchando después del ¡BOMB! que hicieron esta banda británica que hasta día de hoy siguen sonando y nos encanta.

[Gaby S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellamente ilustrado, el libro es un excelente resumen de la historia de los Beatles. Empieza de manera similar a la película 'Nowhere boy' pero toma un tono más imparcial y justo. Por ende, si desean culpar a Yoko de todo o idolotran a Lennon sin aceptar sus defectos; éste no es un libro para ustedes.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's Beatles books make me very happy!

[Dennis]

Good overview for kids without being childish. Enjoyed reading it to my young Beatlemaniac

[Emmaus Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun "history of rock music" story. Gives background to the group, to the era, and to the songs that the Beatles wrote and made famous.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had seen this book when my kids were younger. It's an adorable introduction to the greatest band ever. I loved it

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. George and Ringo get short shrift and some factual inaccuracies.

[Dani Papadas]

This is the book for a biography. The book is set up like a timeline, mainly focusing on John Lennon. It starts out with him as a child and teen. Then John meets Paul McCartney. They are in a band when they find out George Harrison is a great guitarist. They toured for a little bit but were having problems with one of their band members, so they introduce Ringo into the band. They became wildly popular after that. They started to tour in the US. They would make films that were wildly popular in theaters. It goes on the explain the story behind some of their songs. Then it gets to the band drifting apart from one another, and their new paths they chose to take. Great and colorful cartoon drawings go along with each part of the story. There are also little side pictures with captions for fun facts. I really enjoyed this book. I think it is a cool biography because the Beatles were such an interesting and successful group. I think this would be a good option to show that biographies don't have to be about old "boring" people like George Washington.