Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters

by Michael James Mahin, Evan Turk (Illustrator)

A picture book celebration of the indomitable Muddy Waters, a blues musician whose fierce and electric sound laid the groundwork for what would become rock and roll.

Muddy Waters was never good at doing what he was told. When Grandma Della said the blues wouldn’t put food on the table, Muddy didn’t listen. And when record producers told him no one wanted to listen to a country boy playing country blues, Muddy ignored them as well. This tenacious streak carried Muddy from the hardscrabble fields of Mississippi to the smoky juke joints of Chicago and finally to a recording studio where a landmark record was made.

Soon the world fell in love with the tough spirit of Muddy Waters. In blues-infused prose and soulful illustrations, Michael Mahin and award-winning artist Evan Turk tell Muddy’s fascinating and inspiring story of struggle, determination, and hope.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Music, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, African American

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Michael Mahin has loved music since his grandmother gave him his first piano lesson at the age of five. Like Carlos Santana, he believes that music fills the world with magic and love and feeling and healing. He is the author of Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters and enjoys writing books about people who use their creativity to make the world a better place. He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife, two kids, and several guitars he wishes he played better.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picturebook biography of Muddy Waters, who came north to Chicago from the Mississippi Delta to help define the city's blues tradition. In Chicago, the city's music people wanted him to be jazzier, but he kept that muddy Mississippi waters in his sound.

"I can't Be Satisfied":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSF-T...

"I'm Ready for You":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrKHz...

The art by Evan Turk is marvelous, better than the writing of this NY Times picture book honored in 2017. (Who cares if the Beatles shook his hand, or a President liked his music??!! It needs to talk more about his actual music, and make that come alive more!) Maybe 3-3.5, but the art is 5 stars.

[Karen Witzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A corrective to the question asked by the Beatles upon their arrival in the US, "Don't you know your own famous people?" This is a children's picture book biography of Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield), one of the progenitors of modern American music. Evan Turk's Illustrations are gorgeous and draw the reader into Mahin's text. One of the NYT 10 Best Illustrated Books of 2017, this book covers aspects of The Great Migration and the development of American music and popular culture through Muddy's beginnings in the Mississippi Delta to his move to Jazz- filled Chicago, to success at Chess Records. Son House and Leonard Chess are referenced. Beautiful book about an American cultural icon.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to have to come back later to form words for this title. Right night all I can say is it is simply glorious. The story and the illustrations. There is no illustrator today quite like Evan Turk. In a perfect world his name would be as popular and widely known as Mo Willems. Different art techniques for sure but just as creative and wonderful.

[Mississippi Library Commission · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muddy is amazing! The illustrations pop--they're unique and gorgeous and utterly awesome. The text is lovely too--rhythmic and inspiring and lyrical. This picture book biography, a perfect introduction to Muddy Waters, also manages to impart the lesson of being true to yourself. Highly recommended.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I am not a jazz or blues music fan, I have heard of Muddy Waters. Somewhere this book came to my attention, and it seemed like a good introduction. The vividly colored illustrations are what would make the book appealing to children, I think. But it also is a beautiful way to introduce to black children--really all children how a person with a burning dream (as well as talent) can persevere and become a legend in his field. It is an inspiring story told simply for children. At the end, though is a more lengthy bio which gives more detailed information of Muddy Water's life. I went to iTunes and listened to a number of his music tracks, and I still don't care for them. But that doesn't stop me from admiring what he achieved in his life.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to read Muddy without sinking your teeth into the rhythm of the words and letting the rumble of their textures and meanings shake you as they lead you through the story of Muddy Waters’ life. We don’t really know enough about his childhood for this biography to be perfectly factual, but it does an incredible job of communicating the feel of his journey to and through music. The pictures, too, seem to vibrate with shapes and colors, graphic and bold, abstract patterns and lines showing people, moods, times and places and the sounds and textures of Muddy’s world. Zig zags abound, like the reverberations of chords and like the waters of Muddy’s name. This is a biography that will keep kids listening, watching, and caring. A little digging will get them thinking too, and there are so many directions the conversations could go. I really can’t ask for more in a biography. The author’s note- funny, informative, and poignant, is just the icing on the cake of this truly spectacular picture book biography. Oh child, sail on.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems a recurring theme permeates picture book biographies. It is a theme which serves to inspire anyone who reads or listens to these titles being read to them. The people being showcased in these books, who have left a lasting mark on human history, pursue their heart's desire. They never, never, ever give up. Regardless of advice given, they stay true to their dreams. They believe in their capabilities. For this reason our world is better for them having lived their lives as they did.

It does not matter when the creative spark finds a way into their heart. For some it ignites when they are older. For others it flickers into existence when they are children. Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, September 5, 2017) written by Michael Mahin with illustrations by Evan Turk lifts up the life of a musical legend.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Henry Herz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of accessing an Advanced Reader Copy. This book fires on all cylinders. The writing is lyrical and emotional. The artwork is stunning. I was not surprised to learn that it was nominated for the "Mock Caldecott" award. A great non-fiction story about the blues, perseverance and overcoming adversity.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's biography of Muddy Waters is incredibly memorable! The illustrations are amazing! A must-read for music fans.

[Gary Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muddy is a powerful picture book biography of McKinley Morganfield, better known as blues legend Muddy Waters. As a child in Mississippi, little McKinley “was never good at doing what he was told.” That included keeping clean, so his Grandma Della just took to calling him Muddy. Muddy’s insistence on doing things his own way made it hard for him to stay employed in the Jim Crow South, so he came to Chicago to play music, his way. Author Michael Mahin emphasizes how Muddy was always true to how he felt his music should sound, even when others tried to exert control over it, and young rebel readers will find validation in Muddy’s story. Evan Turk’s artwork is just wild. The loud abstract page spreads capture the thrilling, stinging electricity of Muddy Waters’ voice and guitar. I’m not sure if Muddy has wide kid appeal, but it’s likely to be just the right book for some kids.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book about the blues legend, Muddy Waters. This book was told in a way that would appeal to children, yet it also is for adults who want to read a little about the artist. The biggest thing that this book reflected to me, was the fact, that like with many great artists of different professions (artists, singers, writers, etc.) The greater of heartaches and struggles in life make for the most meaningful, creative and soulful expression through their craft that there is. Through the determination to survive and do better, Muddy made a name for himself and became a legend in blues music history. A quick, beautiful and enjoyable read. I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway, in exchange for my review.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only are the illustrations breathtaking but this is a great story about Muddy Waters and how he came to be and the enormous influence the blues legend had on rock and roll.

When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in 1964, they were asked by American reporters who they would most like to meet. They said Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley. The reporters didn't even know who Muddy Waters was. The Beatles' response: don't you know your own famous people?

This little nugget of information was in the back of the book. Muddy Waters won his first of six Grammy's in 1971. Even with all he accomplished, it saddened him that he never learned to read or write. Well, Muddy, in your case I really don't think that matters too much.

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This is a great book from start to finish. The final sentence in the author's note just punches you in the gut: "Despite all of his achievements, Muddy did have one major regret: he never had a chance to go to school, and he never learned to read or write." That fact is going to be an eye opener for plenty of kids and some adults... and only makes Muddy's story all the more amazing.

This picture book biography is long overdue, but it was worth the wait. A great story, a great book, a great deal to consider, discuss, and learn from here.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful tale about one of the greatest blues icons of our times.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

McKinley Morganfield was raised by his Grandma Della who called him Muddy. He was brought up with gospel music from church but loved other music more, the music heard at fish fries, the blues. But his grandmother didn’t approve and didn’t want Muddy to waste his time playing music. Muddy though could not stay away from music and saved money to get his own guitar. When not playing music, Muddy worked in the cotton fields until one day he walked out. He headed for Chicago, but no one there was interested in his country blues. People told him to change, but Muddy kept playing his style of music, steadily working towards a record and the fame that would eventually come after a lot of hard work. Mahin keeps the bounce of music in his prose, infusing it with lines from Muddy’s songs, repeating phrases about Muddy not listening to other people, and touches of rhythm. Turk’s illustrations are explosive. Done on black backgrounds, they are neon at night on the page and also show the rhythm and feel of music visually. A strong and special book about a musician who didn’t do what he was told and succeeded because of that. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a rule that if I discover a children's book about a popular Jazz or blues musician I immediately have to read it. I've followed this policy for Charles Parker and Thelonius Monk, and so when I saw this book in the Juvenile Section of my library I snatched it up.

Michael Mahin has written a beautiful story about personal integrity in the man who inspired artists like Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, and Carlos Santana. You cannot talk about the American Blues scene without discussing Muddy Waters, and by the end of this book, the reader is sure to see why the man has become such a pinnacle in the music world. This book is not so much just about the music of Muddy Waters, but about his personal journey to stay true to himself and make the music the way he knew how. In this way, this book is sure to be a wonderful story for parents to read to their children because of how it shows the importance of integrity and being true to oneself.

Muddy didn't make music by anyone else, and while this gave him some problems in life, it did eventually work out in the end.

And if nothing else, this artwork is blues distilled. I loved EVERY page.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was always into jazz more than the blues until I was in college and used to go see Alberta Hunter at The Cookery, a now long gone jazz club on University Place and 8th Street. She often mentioned Muddy Waters, and when I finally heard him, I was hooked. Naturally, I couldn't wait to read this picture book for older readers about Muddy's life and music. This is wonderful introduction to this legendary musician and the illustrations are so perfectly reflective of his music, I can almost hear him playing the blues. He was raised by his grandmother, who is the one who started calling him Muddy, and who told him the blues didn't put food on the table, but he persevered anyway. And Mahin captures that spirit in his refrain "But Muddy was never good at doing what he was told." A beautiful tribute!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and informative text about the blues musician, Muddy Waters. Details about the fact Muddy was never good at doing what he was told and how trait came to influence American music. . .Muddy knew how he wanted his music to sound and would not compromise when others told
him how to play. One gets the feel for Muddy's growing up years in the Mississippi Delta as well as his migration to Chicago. Interesting that while the text did not say Muddy was from the Clarksdale, Mississippi area one of the early illustrations has a Clarksdale Daily News banner in the background, a nice touch for added information. Very well done on all levels.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book about the life of Muddy Waters (born McKinley Morganfield--now that's a cool name too!). His grandma gave him his nickname for always playing in the mud. Gorgeous artwork illustrates the book, with vibrant colors, abstract images. Author's note gives full details that aren't spelled out in the simple picturebook text.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, soulful introduction to the legendary musician who help invent the Chicago Blues sound with spectacular illustrations by Evan Turk.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The music of Muddy Waters provided my own introduction to the blues, and I have loved that particular genre ever since.

The Blues are distinguished by a 12-bar sequence played on a unique scale, involving a flatted 3rd or 5th note. These “bent” or “blue” notes are what give the Blues a sound of its own. As the author writes:

“To have the blues was to feel bad.
But to play the blues was to take that low-down,
skunk-funk, deep-stomach hurt
And turn it into something else.”

McKinley Morganfield, called Muddy because he loved to play in the muddy bayous behind his grandmother’s house, was born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi on April 4, 1915. Muddy helped transform Delta Blues into the more upbeat Chicago Blues which then became known as “rhythm and blues.”

From the time he was young, Muddy loved music. Growing up, he worked as a sharecropper in the fields and saved his money, eventually able to buy himself a used guitar. He played in local juke joints on weekends. In 1943, tired of his sharecropping boss picking on him and calling him “boy,” he quit, and made his way to Chicago.

The author writes:

“Chicago was plugged in,
Turned on, and turned up.
And so was its music.
Records with electrified guitars
And jazzy horns were making the blues
Jump all over town.”

Muddy started adding a beat to his blues in the 1950’s. He called it “fast” blues as opposed to “slow” blues. As the author comments in an afterword, while Muddy was not the only musician to make this change, “he quickly became one of the most influential”:

“The instrumental composition of Muddy’s bands - which always included a guitar, harmonica, piano, bass, and drums - laid the rhythmic and tonal foundation for what would become rock and roll.”

He also became known for playing a mean slide guitar that hardly anyone has been able to duplicate.

Blues fans are familiar with the idea of a “mojo,” or “mojo hand.” A mojo hand was a little red flannel bag that smelled of oil and perfumes, purchased from a specialist in charms and magic. Muddy Waters said that black people in the South all used to believe that these mojo hands would bring them luck. He knew they didn’t work, and he also knew mojo “doctors” - those who made and sold the bags - were getting rich off of poor people’s superstitions and dreams. But he said he wrote songs about them because people always requested them. In fact, "Louisiana Blues," with the lyric "I'm goin' down in New Orleans, Get me a mojo hand" was Muddy’s first nationwide hit.

Muddy’s first recording for Leonard Chess was memorable:

“He called up the sticky heat of a summer
night, the power of love, and the need
For connection in a world that was
So good at pulling people apart.”

The record sold out in twenty-four hours. The author concludes with a coda foretelling Muddy’s future:

“One day, the Beatles would be shaking Muddy’s hand.

One day, the president of the United States would be tapping his toes.

One day, the world world would know the name Muddy Waters.

One day was on its way.”

Muddy toured Europe in 1958, and his popularity took off with young white audiences. He inspired Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, the Beatles, Jim Morrison, and others.

The Rolling Stones, of course, named themselves after a record - “Rolling Stone” - recorded in the 1950’s by Muddy Waters. Bob Dylan’s hit, “Like a Rolling Stone,” also comes from Muddy’s record, as does the name of the music magazine.

As the Afterword relates, in 1971, Muddy won his first of six grammy Awards. In 1978, he played for President Jimmy Carter at the White House. In 1987, he was inducted (posthumously) into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Muddy died in 1983 at age 68, but he left a lasting legacy not only because of his own work but because of the music he inspired in others. Amazingly, this towering talent never got a chance to go to school, nor did he ever learn to read and write. He is a true inspiration.

The narration is done in free verse, with imagined dialogue. All of it comes to life via the stunning expressionist artwork by Evan Turk, an Ezra jack Keats New Illustrator Honor recipient. Turk reports on his blog that he did research in both Mississippi and Chicago to find the right visual style for the story. He chose rich warm colors for Mississippi and then switched his palette for Chicago to express “the clashing neon colors of the city.” But as Muddy’s skill develops in the story, the palettes merge, just as Muddy’s music came to reflect both his Delta past and his Chicago present.

You may notice that Turk’s unique style shows the influence of such black artists as Jacob Lawrence, William H. Johnson, and the famous quilt work of the African-American women of Gee’s Bend Alabama. Turk also employs stenciling with striking results. He reports:

“I drew out the composition, and then cut out each of the shapes to make stencils. Then I filled in the shapes thickly with oil pastel on top of a watercolor/gouache background. Then details and patterns were created by adding more oil pastel, or scraping it away with a palette knife to make textures and different
effects.”

Evaluation: This book celebrates African-American heritage, and its seminal contributions to and influence on culture throughout the world. It may help readers understand the historicity of musical forms, and how music not only reflects the social world of its time but also affects it. The prose is both musical and educational, and the illustrations are exceptional.

[Eileen Mccann · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading 6 possible winning books, I was convinced that "this book" would be the 2017 Caldecott winner. But then, I looked at the cover of Muddy Waters holding his oversized guitar, surrounded in a field of vibrant color and design. I wanted more. The drawings, the color, the designs on each page are powerful as a whole and in the smallest detail. The pictures, rendered in water color. oil pastel, china marker, printer ink and newspaper collage, are visually enticing. I see music, blues music, on each page. And I feel music, blues music, in the narrative of this book. The story's beginning, introduces McKinley Morganfield, a small boy, with his hands outstretched, entering a new life as his mother's hand let him go with the words,"Oh, child. Long gone. Oh, child. Sail on." And she passes. Grandma Della tries to keep McKinely clean but she gives up and starts calling him Muddy. The lyrical refrain, "But Muddy was never good at doing what he was told," is sure to capture the attention of children as they follow Muddy and his passion for music, blues music. We journey with Muddy. Grandma Della discourages his love of music. A new boss man picks on him during the long hours of "soul-breaking " work in the fields. He and his guitar leave and travel to Chicago. And once there, Muddy never gives up following his passion for "the blues" while facing disappointments and rejection. We can't help but rejoice when success greets him with sold out recordings.

After reviewing the Caldecott criteria for a "distinguished American picture book for children," MUDDY: THE STORY OF BLUES LEGEND MUDDY WATERS, by Michael Mahin, illustrated by Evan Turk, I see a winner. This book provides children with a visual experience which is distinguished by quality of design and has an original, unique, beautiful style that supports the book's theme, characters, setting and mood. It is indeed, a work of art!

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blues legend Muddy Waters grew up in the Mississippi Delta, playing music on whatever he found at hand: an old accordion, a piece of wire, a beat-up can. His grandma tried to steer him away from music, saying, “you can’t eat the blues for breakfast.” But Muddy persisted. And when he got tired of earning little money for sharecropping, he moved to Chicago where his skill at playing the blues eventually gained him recognition.

His journey from child to musical trailblazer comes to life in a picture book called Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters. Author Michael Mahin touches on the areas of Muddy’s life that influenced his music, including gospel choirs, music at family picnics and juke joints, and the back-busting work of sharecropping. His move to Chicago exposed him to jazzy blues. But Muddy insisted on playing “deep-feling, gutbucket, gut-aching music full of life and love and trouble and pride.” Muddy sang with his heart, and people loved it.

Evan Turks’s illustrations flow like water and music in bold colors. And they give the essence of Muddy’s experience from cotton fields and country churches to dance halls and city scenes. The result is a gorgeous picture book that parents and children will want to read again and again.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful book about how blues legend Muddy Waters played "not with his fingers, but with his heart." It's a compelling story about his journey as a young man from the Mississippi Delta, where there was nothing for him but back-breaking, sharecropping work, to the South Side of Chicago, where he eventually found his musical path with Leonard Chess of Chess Records, playing the kind of music he wanted to share with the world. A great story of perseverance and hard work; as the author points out repeatedly, Muddy "was never good at doing what he was told," but he had a clear vision and determination on his side.
The artwork is just stunning. Artist Evan Turk does an amazing job of conveying setting through his colorful, impressionistic pictures, rendered in watercolor, oil pastel, china marker, printing ink, and newspaper collage. He really captures the colors and aura of rural Mississippi as well as those of the cityscape and the jazzier urban life of Chicago; although done in the same style, the two settings are made distinct through his depiction and extraordinary use of color.
A New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2017.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters," written by Michael Mahin and illustrated by Evan Turk, as a possible 2018 Caldecott contender. I give this a 5 for text and a 5 for illustrations. I found "Muddy" fabulous on all levels!

Keeping in mind that I am an adult reader, this biographical work on the life of blues guitarist, Muddy Waters was fascinating. I am not sure how the book would appeal to younger readers, however. The book could, however, work with middle and high school students, especially those interested in the blues, guitar, and black culture. It carries a wonderful lesson in passion and persistence!

Turk's water color, oil pastel, china marker, printing ink, and newspaper collage illustrations are abstract, vibrant, emotional, colorful, filled with movement - mind-blowing!!! However, I felt that younger readers might find them confusing, frightening even.

The Caldecott criteria specify that the book be aimed at "children." One can interpret that broadly. And, if so, this book is a definite contender. Highly recommended!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, stunning, powerful. Artwork is alive with color and movement. Text flows smoothly and the repetition of "never good at doing what he was told" and "oh, child, long gone. oh, child. sail on" lend a musical refrain. The first two-page spread to almost depict a river of blue flames with Muddy running from the two hands reaching out for him. Love the repeated image of the title page spread of the river flowing past a shack and cotton fields, and last two-page spread of Muddy standing by that river and shacks. Back cover is a record with the text circling round. Muddy-brown endpapers and a half-title page that is reminiscent of African art. Good author's note at the end along with a bibliography and suggested listening.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to being beautifully illustrated and having stunning word choices, this book does a great job discussing racism - it even introduces the topic of sharecropping - in an accessible way. Amazon says ages 4-8, and I think that's exactly right.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect storytelling and illustrations. Introduced my daughter to a blues legend then we spent the next morning listening to his music.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful biography! The text and art are exquisite!