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Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: a Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was many a superstar, a rebel, a hero, an innovator. But first, he was a boy named Jimmy who loved to draw and paint and listen to records. A boy who played air guitar with a broomstick and longed for a real guitar of his own. A boy who asked himself a Could someone paint pictures with sound?
This a story of a talented child who learns to see, hear, and interpret the world around him in his own unique way. It is also a story of a determined kid with a vision, who worked hard to become a devoted and masterful artist. Jimi Hendrix--a groundbreaking performer whose music shook the very foundations of rock 'n' roll.
This a story of a talented child who learns to see, hear, and interpret the world around him in his own unique way. It is also a story of a determined kid with a vision, who worked hard to become a devoted and masterful artist. Jimi Hendrix--a groundbreaking performer whose music shook the very foundations of rock 'n' roll.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2010
2 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Gary Golio
13 books11 followersGary Golio is the author of several best-selling and award-winning musical picture-book biographies, including Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, When Bob Met Woody, and Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane’s Musical Journey. Gary Golio lives in Hudson Valley, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
March 21, 2021
Using art of plywood and paint, a youthful Jim Hendrix is vividly and electrically portrayed. Manmade and nature’s sounds beckoned him. His imagination produced hours of wild painting, while his father sang along to “gospel, jazz, or blues records.” He listened to music from the classics to the blues and asked for a guitar. After he got an electric guitar, he learned “painting with sound” that rocked the world. He followed his father’s advice, “Be original. Do your own thing.” This children’s book with the phenomenal illustrator, Javaka Steptoe, highlights the talent of a rock and roll icon who died tragically in 1970 at the age of 27. Some resources are made available at the end about substance abuse and Jimi Hendrix.
October 25, 2021
Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: a Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix is a children's picture book written by Gary Golio and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. Golio examines Hendrix's childhood creativity as a nurtured progression that stoked an explosively influential expression in the 1960s.
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.
Golio's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Golio lucidly demonstrates that a path to creative excellence is not only possible for young people but self-actualizing. Backmatter includes biographical note, author's note, websites, illustrator's note, bibliography, and discography. Steptoe builds distinctive three-dimensional artwork by painting plywood portraits of Hendrix and his friends and stacking them on painted backgrounds.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It describes the sonic landscape of Hendrix's youth and builds on his discoveries with his guitar until his creations begin to satisfy him. This biography emphasizes the significance of Hendrix's friendships with two boys, Terry and Potato Chip, and the support of his father, who buys him a new white Supro Ozark electric guitar even when money is tight.
All in all, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: a Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix is an outstanding onomatopoeic biography that teaches important work can be done by young people; artistry develops slowly, through careful work; and surroundings that appear hostile to creativity can just as well nurture it through the example of Jimi Hendrix.
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.
Golio's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Golio lucidly demonstrates that a path to creative excellence is not only possible for young people but self-actualizing. Backmatter includes biographical note, author's note, websites, illustrator's note, bibliography, and discography. Steptoe builds distinctive three-dimensional artwork by painting plywood portraits of Hendrix and his friends and stacking them on painted backgrounds.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It describes the sonic landscape of Hendrix's youth and builds on his discoveries with his guitar until his creations begin to satisfy him. This biography emphasizes the significance of Hendrix's friendships with two boys, Terry and Potato Chip, and the support of his father, who buys him a new white Supro Ozark electric guitar even when money is tight.
All in all, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: a Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix is an outstanding onomatopoeic biography that teaches important work can be done by young people; artistry develops slowly, through careful work; and surroundings that appear hostile to creativity can just as well nurture it through the example of Jimi Hendrix.
August 12, 2016
Jumbled collage illustrations paired with energetic writing bring the childhood of Jimi Hendrix alive. In Jimi's world, "the airwaves were sizzling with exciting new sounds and rhythms" that "set off fireworks in his mind".
Money was tight while Hendrix was growing up, but his dad knew how much art and music meant to him. So when the opportunity to buy a used guitar came up, his dad bought it. And the rest, they say, is history! The energy of electric guitar rock is portrayed through the artwork. This picture book biography would make a great jumping-off point for an art or music class.
The end notes give more detail on his life without mentioning the use of drugs until the Author's Note. So, while a younger audience may not yet be ready to hear about the deadly mix of alcohol and prescription sleeping pills that killed Hendrix in his 20s, it is addressed along with advice about addiction and online resources in the Author's Note.
Money was tight while Hendrix was growing up, but his dad knew how much art and music meant to him. So when the opportunity to buy a used guitar came up, his dad bought it. And the rest, they say, is history! The energy of electric guitar rock is portrayed through the artwork. This picture book biography would make a great jumping-off point for an art or music class.
The end notes give more detail on his life without mentioning the use of drugs until the Author's Note. So, while a younger audience may not yet be ready to hear about the deadly mix of alcohol and prescription sleeping pills that killed Hendrix in his 20s, it is addressed along with advice about addiction and online resources in the Author's Note.
January 23, 2012
“Music is Magic”- Jimi Hendrix.
Gary Golio prefaces his story, Jimi sounds like a rainbow, with this quote. The book itself, with its rhythmic, flowing language and illustrations that explode with colors makes this book nothing less than magical. In Jimi sounds like a rainbow, Golio presents the story of a young Jimi Hendrix and his discovery of art, music, and the world around him. As a child, Jimi would often draw and paint the images and sounds that flowed through his mind. For every sound that Jimi heard, he imagined a color as well: “Blue was the whoosh of cool water, splashing over rocks. Orange and red, the crackling of a campfire.” Soon Jimi would hear the sounds of his father’s blues records on the phonograph and wonder: “Could someone paint pictures with sound?” Beginning with strumming the bristles on his kitchen broom to eventually strumming an electric guitar, Jimi’s “playing became bold as lightning” and reached millions of people around the world.
This book can be enjoyed by audience members of all ages. For classroom use, the book itself can cross curricular boundaries, as I can imagine it being used in an art classroom (award-winning illustrations), a music classroom, and an English classroom. The text is so rich with figurative language and sensory details: “the man’s voice was dark and smooth, like velvet,” “a siren wailed in the distance.” Teachers can have a lot of fun teaching poetic devices and writing concepts with this text. The themes in this text are universal as well. As children read about Jimi’s dream, they may realize the value in having and pursuing their own dreams.
In the very back of the book, the author includes more information that can be helpful for educators. He includes an author’s note where he talks about Jimi’s untimely death due to alcohol and drug abuse. The author includes a number of websites and books that may allow for deeper analysis and discussion of substance abuse and mental health. Finally, the illustrator includes a section where he found his inspiration for his artwork, from fingering an electric guitar to going to Seattle and walking the streets of Jimi’s hometown.
Gary Golio prefaces his story, Jimi sounds like a rainbow, with this quote. The book itself, with its rhythmic, flowing language and illustrations that explode with colors makes this book nothing less than magical. In Jimi sounds like a rainbow, Golio presents the story of a young Jimi Hendrix and his discovery of art, music, and the world around him. As a child, Jimi would often draw and paint the images and sounds that flowed through his mind. For every sound that Jimi heard, he imagined a color as well: “Blue was the whoosh of cool water, splashing over rocks. Orange and red, the crackling of a campfire.” Soon Jimi would hear the sounds of his father’s blues records on the phonograph and wonder: “Could someone paint pictures with sound?” Beginning with strumming the bristles on his kitchen broom to eventually strumming an electric guitar, Jimi’s “playing became bold as lightning” and reached millions of people around the world.
This book can be enjoyed by audience members of all ages. For classroom use, the book itself can cross curricular boundaries, as I can imagine it being used in an art classroom (award-winning illustrations), a music classroom, and an English classroom. The text is so rich with figurative language and sensory details: “the man’s voice was dark and smooth, like velvet,” “a siren wailed in the distance.” Teachers can have a lot of fun teaching poetic devices and writing concepts with this text. The themes in this text are universal as well. As children read about Jimi’s dream, they may realize the value in having and pursuing their own dreams.
In the very back of the book, the author includes more information that can be helpful for educators. He includes an author’s note where he talks about Jimi’s untimely death due to alcohol and drug abuse. The author includes a number of websites and books that may allow for deeper analysis and discussion of substance abuse and mental health. Finally, the illustrator includes a section where he found his inspiration for his artwork, from fingering an electric guitar to going to Seattle and walking the streets of Jimi’s hometown.
December 28, 2011
This book is just beautiful, the illustrator did a magnificent job. The art is an amazing mix of juvenile and sophisticated that I bet would be really inspiring to kids; it made me want to sing and paint and dance around the room! It was really neat the way the images of Jimi and his friends were kind of watercolor cutouts superimposed on the technicolor world that Jimi imagined in his head. And the way that the text moved around the pages supported the creativity. I also liked the way that the author mentioned a few of the big names in jazz and rock and roll without being heavy-handed about it, that way the names start becoming familiar to kids reading the book. But it's really all about the illustrations, it's just a stunning book.
It's also interesting that the author is actually a clinical social worker. He included a note at the end that mentions that even though Jimi's death was ruled accidental, drugs played a part and how sad it is that we'll never know what he could have accomplished had he lived a full life. And he included resources for educating parents, caregivers and children about the dangers of substance abuse, with several age ranges, 3-6, 10-11 and young teens, something I've never seen before and that was actually appropriate for this particular book in the way that it was done.
It's also interesting that the author is actually a clinical social worker. He included a note at the end that mentions that even though Jimi's death was ruled accidental, drugs played a part and how sad it is that we'll never know what he could have accomplished had he lived a full life. And he included resources for educating parents, caregivers and children about the dangers of substance abuse, with several age ranges, 3-6, 10-11 and young teens, something I've never seen before and that was actually appropriate for this particular book in the way that it was done.
December 29, 2010
11/2010 - This picture book biography about Jimi Hendrix' childhood was phenomenal. The illustrations fit the era and helped the reader see the music, just as the author contends that Hendrix 'saw' music. Though I'm certainly not 'up' on all the other possible contenders, I'd love to see this book selected for the Caldecott.
I heard an interview with the author (on NPR's Morning Edition or on the BBC's The Strand) and I was a bit concerned because he said that he chose to write this book because he admired the traits of perseverance and dedication that Hendrix displayed, succeeding despite his impoverished upbringing. I feared that the book might be too didactic. However, the text is lyrical, perfectly befitting a biography of a musician.
I can't wait to read this book with my 4th graders. Hmmm, maybe we should have a Mock Caldecott discussion!
12/27/2010 ** Received a copy for Christmas - Yes!! Wish the publisher had sprung for a dust jacket, but I still love the book.
I heard an interview with the author (on NPR's Morning Edition or on the BBC's The Strand) and I was a bit concerned because he said that he chose to write this book because he admired the traits of perseverance and dedication that Hendrix displayed, succeeding despite his impoverished upbringing. I feared that the book might be too didactic. However, the text is lyrical, perfectly befitting a biography of a musician.
I can't wait to read this book with my 4th graders. Hmmm, maybe we should have a Mock Caldecott discussion!
12/27/2010 ** Received a copy for Christmas - Yes!! Wish the publisher had sprung for a dust jacket, but I still love the book.
November 19, 2010
I wondered about the age range for this book, but once I read it, I decided that Hendrix's death from drugs has nothing to do with the story here. It is about his childhood and his growth as an artist and is an amazing story for kids.
I love how his early interest in art developed into his music and then cycles back again in the art in the book. I saw this quote on Steptoe's website "collage is a means of survival. It is how Black folks survived four hundred years of oppression, taking the scraps of life and transforming them into art forms" Perfect to describe the art in this book.
I only wish we had gotten a copy of this before we did all our Caldecott Hopeful programs for staff!
I love how his early interest in art developed into his music and then cycles back again in the art in the book. I saw this quote on Steptoe's website "collage is a means of survival. It is how Black folks survived four hundred years of oppression, taking the scraps of life and transforming them into art forms" Perfect to describe the art in this book.
I only wish we had gotten a copy of this before we did all our Caldecott Hopeful programs for staff!
June 28, 2012
Audience: Older primary grades (4-5), kids who enjoy reading biographies and learning more about historical figures, and those who enjoy anything music related
Appeal: The illustrations are different and very interesting and they use a unique blend of colors that grab your attention. This author uses wonderful descriptive words that really help to bring sounds to life in the reader's mind. "Until he could play the sound of raindrops"- the reader can get a wonderful sound in their mind imagining what raindrops would sound like played on a ukulele.
Award: Coretta Scott King Book Award: Illustrator Honor
Appeal: The illustrations are different and very interesting and they use a unique blend of colors that grab your attention. This author uses wonderful descriptive words that really help to bring sounds to life in the reader's mind. "Until he could play the sound of raindrops"- the reader can get a wonderful sound in their mind imagining what raindrops would sound like played on a ukulele.
Award: Coretta Scott King Book Award: Illustrator Honor
August 26, 2017
Of course the first thing I did was listen to the Star Spangled Banner Hendrix rendition and now I'm writing this review after the experience of reading Golio's book and seeing Steptoe's illustrations that immortalize Jimi Hendrix and his connection with music, specifically the electric guitar that made him famous before his untimely death before thirty.
The story is fascinating and speaks to his creativity but doesn't give all of the biographical information (which is included at the end) reminding me a bit like Twelve Rounds to Glory about Muhammad Ali.
The story is fascinating and speaks to his creativity but doesn't give all of the biographical information (which is included at the end) reminding me a bit like Twelve Rounds to Glory about Muhammad Ali.
August 3, 2011
This book has some awesome illustrations and would be a great way to introduce Jimi Hendrix to young children. With that being said, I'm not sure that it really gets to the point in the way that would be considered "super informative" like most adults would expect. I am also not sure that there is a certain audience that this book will target unless it's a child who really likes 60s music and wants to learn more about rock/guitar music icons. Overall, it gets an "ok" from me.
June 28, 2012
This book could be read by a girl or boy who are in the grade 3 to 8. This book is about a boy named Jimmy who loves to draw, paint, and listen to records. He was a very talented child who became a superstar with a guitar by how he played his guitar.
This book has nice pictures and color.
Coretta Scott King Book Award Recipients 2012
This book has nice pictures and color.
Coretta Scott King Book Award Recipients 2012
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June 29, 2012This book had me drawn in just by the illustrations alone. I believe that if a child were to see this book on the shelf, he/she would gravitate towards it. The story is very easy to understand, and it gives the reader a great understanding of the life of Jimi Hendrix. To me, this book is most likely more popular with boys in the upper elementary grades.
February 16, 2011
Synesthesia! Words, sounds, colors and music are all blended together in this great story of Jimi's childhood. I liked all the references to specific blues artists and the colorful and complex multimedia collage illustrations.
June 21, 2012
Audience: Grades 1-4
Appeal: Fabulous Book! Powerful Illustrations! Inspiring for young artists.
Awards: Coretta Scott King 2011 Nominee, New York Times Best Seller List
Appeal: Fabulous Book! Powerful Illustrations! Inspiring for young artists.
Awards: Coretta Scott King 2011 Nominee, New York Times Best Seller List
June 28, 2012
Audience: Young and intermediate readers.
Appeal: Music lovers will enjoy this book. Wonderfully illustrated. Interesting story about young Jimi Hendrix
Award: 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor
Appeal: Music lovers will enjoy this book. Wonderfully illustrated. Interesting story about young Jimi Hendrix
Award: 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor
May 2, 2013
"Don't let nobody turn you off from your own hopes and dreams." Amen, Jimi. Great intro for kids to learn about Jimi Hendrix.
November 26, 2020
I got this book because I so enjoy Jimi’s music and had intended to give to my grandson as a gift. After actually seeing the most awesome artwork surrounding the tale of his early inspirations and aspirations. As much a piece of art as his music. I’ve decided to order another copy for my grandson. This one, I’m keeping.
March 31, 2025
he was born in seattle?!?!
this book is amazing in everyway, maximum woah factor. unique illustrations. magical presentation. massive "so what" at the end. capped off with a real talk psa. wow. i recommend to all yall immidately!
this book is amazing in everyway, maximum woah factor. unique illustrations. magical presentation. massive "so what" at the end. capped off with a real talk psa. wow. i recommend to all yall immidately!
November 14, 2011
Summary: The book “Jimi sounds like a rainbow” is a bibliography picture book of Jimi Hendrix’s life. The book starts with Jimmy (before he changed his name) in the boarding house he lived at with his father. It was 1956 and Jimmy loved playing music, he started out playing a ukulele. Jimmy had a special gift; he could hear noises outside like his neighbor raking leafs and a truck going by and in his head make them into a beautiful song. Jimmy’s two best friends Terry and Potato Chip lived across the street from him and Jimmy would tell them his stories, show them his drawings, and even sing to them. His friends loved that he could imitate playing different instruments. Jimmy and his father did not have a lot of money but his friends never seemed to care they would still hangout and race to the lake on their bikes. Jimmy had a way of seeing the world as a giant painting with different colors and the music would just fit right in. Jimmy’s father winds up buying him a used guitar and that is when Jimmy and his talent take off. He played and played until he got better. Soon he was able to play at shows and he saved enough money to buy an electric guitar. By the time Jimmy was a young adult he was famous. He played shows with his guitar and dressed in all colors of the rainbow.
Age: This book is definitely for more advanced readings. Since it is a bibliography, it would be easy to read to younger children but they definitely would not be able to read it themselves.
Elements: This book has pictures on every page and they are beautiful. The illustrator did a great job matching the pictures what Jimmy was picturing the world to look like. The pictures almost look like they were painted on wood. Other pictures are cut outs like the very first page, the green crowd of people. The colors the illustrator used are a wide range, the book is very colorful; has every color of the rainbow. The lines in some of the pages are very defined yet another page the illustrator has greens and purples and whites and it’s a valley with no defined lines at all.
Recommendation: I think that this is a great book for learning about Jimi Hendrix. The pictures are wonderful and take up the whole page. There is not a single white or blank spot in the book. I think they did that because Hendrix was into colors and the rainbow and he even dressed in every color. I also love it because the way the pictures are drawn it makes you want to draw something like in that style. It would be a great book to use for imagination it supports it because Hendrix had an imagination of his own and reached for his dream and never gave up.
Age: This book is definitely for more advanced readings. Since it is a bibliography, it would be easy to read to younger children but they definitely would not be able to read it themselves.
Elements: This book has pictures on every page and they are beautiful. The illustrator did a great job matching the pictures what Jimmy was picturing the world to look like. The pictures almost look like they were painted on wood. Other pictures are cut outs like the very first page, the green crowd of people. The colors the illustrator used are a wide range, the book is very colorful; has every color of the rainbow. The lines in some of the pages are very defined yet another page the illustrator has greens and purples and whites and it’s a valley with no defined lines at all.
Recommendation: I think that this is a great book for learning about Jimi Hendrix. The pictures are wonderful and take up the whole page. There is not a single white or blank spot in the book. I think they did that because Hendrix was into colors and the rainbow and he even dressed in every color. I also love it because the way the pictures are drawn it makes you want to draw something like in that style. It would be a great book to use for imagination it supports it because Hendrix had an imagination of his own and reached for his dream and never gave up.
February 25, 2017
I think this is beautifully done! I passed it along to my 13 year old son to read. He is an artist and musician. I hope he is inspired by the book's beauty, as much as he is by the artist himself.
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April 3, 2014Twin Text: My name is not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry @2008
Rationale: I selected this book about a young girl who uses her imagination to become powerful women of history because it relates to the non-fiction book by both books having a child who uses their imagination to become who they wish to be. Both books portray young children who use their imaginations to see themselves as the symbols they wish to become. Both of these characters set great examples as youths by showing children that with enough imagination, so much is possible. Even when Jimi had to endure some very difficult times as a child, he was able to overcome these obstacles, and become the artistic guitarist that he had always dreamed. And Isabella imagined on a daily basis of becoming a woman as strong and independent as Rosa Parks, Annie Oakley and Sally Ride, so that she may one day become the figure of another girl’s imagination one day because she had achieved exactly what she had dreamed of for all those years.
Text Structure: This non-fiction title uses a number of structures, so it would be considered a combination piece. The story of Jimi Hendrix as a child tells a sequential story of his upbringing, making the book a chronological sequence. Second, the book describes, with very colorful adjectives, the art that Jimi made with both his mind and guitar, making this book a description piece. And finally, this book tells the story in a way that provides a reason for why things turned out the way they did for Jimi, instead of them happening in any other fashion, making this book a cause and effect structured book as well.
Strategy Application: With the combination of these two books, an assignment I could have students do would be for them to open their minds, which could lead to any number of things, but for the sake of this assignment it could be something as simple of listing what they do on a regular basis to use their imagination or what amazing adventure they could create for themselves using their imagination, just like the characters from the books did.
Book review citation for Nonfiction book: Jimi sounds like a Rainbow by Gary Golio
(2010, November 1). Booklist.
Magazine. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#
Rationale: I selected this book about a young girl who uses her imagination to become powerful women of history because it relates to the non-fiction book by both books having a child who uses their imagination to become who they wish to be. Both books portray young children who use their imaginations to see themselves as the symbols they wish to become. Both of these characters set great examples as youths by showing children that with enough imagination, so much is possible. Even when Jimi had to endure some very difficult times as a child, he was able to overcome these obstacles, and become the artistic guitarist that he had always dreamed. And Isabella imagined on a daily basis of becoming a woman as strong and independent as Rosa Parks, Annie Oakley and Sally Ride, so that she may one day become the figure of another girl’s imagination one day because she had achieved exactly what she had dreamed of for all those years.
Text Structure: This non-fiction title uses a number of structures, so it would be considered a combination piece. The story of Jimi Hendrix as a child tells a sequential story of his upbringing, making the book a chronological sequence. Second, the book describes, with very colorful adjectives, the art that Jimi made with both his mind and guitar, making this book a description piece. And finally, this book tells the story in a way that provides a reason for why things turned out the way they did for Jimi, instead of them happening in any other fashion, making this book a cause and effect structured book as well.
Strategy Application: With the combination of these two books, an assignment I could have students do would be for them to open their minds, which could lead to any number of things, but for the sake of this assignment it could be something as simple of listing what they do on a regular basis to use their imagination or what amazing adventure they could create for themselves using their imagination, just like the characters from the books did.
Book review citation for Nonfiction book: Jimi sounds like a Rainbow by Gary Golio
(2010, November 1). Booklist.
Magazine. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#
May 6, 2018
The illustrations in this book are somewhat wild. Most of the illustrations are of people with a simple background; it seems like the illustrator poured the rainbow onto every single page though. Jimi Hendrix painted his songs; the illustrator did Jimi justice by using as much color as he could. Some of the illustrations were of Jimi, his guitar, his drawings, and others were of the metaphors in the book. For example, the book says, “out of the speaker came buzzes and whistles.” The illustrator incorporated what looks like bees in honey and honeycomb into the illustrations on that page. I think the illustrator did a good job in illustrating Jimi from his childhood to his adult life; the last page shows an older Jimi Hendrix with what looks like a guitar on fire.
When selecting a biographical picture book, I tried to avoid this book. It looked like a lot of words, and the color of the words messed with my eyes some. However, the words are worth reading in this book no matter how many there are, or what color they are. This book is full of similes, personification, imagery, etc. It makes something as simple as the description of a lake bring to mind something that you would think is out of a movie. For example, the lake is described as “a magical place of deep green leaves and dark purple shadows.” I do not know where this lake is, but this sentence makes me want to lay out by it in the sun on a warm summer day. The words try to describe what made Jimi Hendrix so unique and amazing. I think the book did it best when it said that with every sound he heard a color, and that he wanted to paint a song. I have never thought of comparing music to art, but now it makes complete sense that musicians are painting, but with a different medium, music. Jimi’s desire to paint songs is what led to his determination to be a great artist. It is clear that he succeeded, and
this book did a wonderful job of vividly describing how he became the beloved Jimi Hendrix. If a child prefers biographies, this book would suit their needs perfectly. It is also perfect for students who like art, rock and roll, music, or figurative language.
Review written by Alena Knable
When selecting a biographical picture book, I tried to avoid this book. It looked like a lot of words, and the color of the words messed with my eyes some. However, the words are worth reading in this book no matter how many there are, or what color they are. This book is full of similes, personification, imagery, etc. It makes something as simple as the description of a lake bring to mind something that you would think is out of a movie. For example, the lake is described as “a magical place of deep green leaves and dark purple shadows.” I do not know where this lake is, but this sentence makes me want to lay out by it in the sun on a warm summer day. The words try to describe what made Jimi Hendrix so unique and amazing. I think the book did it best when it said that with every sound he heard a color, and that he wanted to paint a song. I have never thought of comparing music to art, but now it makes complete sense that musicians are painting, but with a different medium, music. Jimi’s desire to paint songs is what led to his determination to be a great artist. It is clear that he succeeded, and
this book did a wonderful job of vividly describing how he became the beloved Jimi Hendrix. If a child prefers biographies, this book would suit their needs perfectly. It is also perfect for students who like art, rock and roll, music, or figurative language.
Review written by Alena Knable
August 23, 2014
Despite being aware of Jimi Hendrix, I don't know a whole lot about him outside of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock and that he died young. This book does a great job of bringing him to life in the same style as many Doreen Rappaport biographies of late. In fact, when I first saw this biography, I assumed it was a Doreen Rappaport. The art reminds me of Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr. or John's Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon or maybe even Langston's Train Ride by Robert Burleigh. This book has nice poetic style like Ellington Was Not a Street or Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits but it sticks to narrating Jimi Hendrix's life pretty well with regular allusions to the connection between color and sound. A good read for classic rock fans or fans of picture book biographies in general.
February 29, 2012
Jimi Sounds Like A Rainbow, A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix, written by Gary Golio and illustrated by Javaka Steptoe, was published in 2010. Gary Golio tells the true story of Jimi Hendrix as a young boy living with his father in Seattle, Washington. Although he was poor and went through struggles Jimi was able to teach himself to play guitar. He was inspired by color and sounds of nature . Jimi strived to paint pictures with sound. At the end of the book there is more information about Jimi Hendrix’s life, Author’s and Illustrator’s notes and resources.
I loved that this book focused on Jimi’s creativity and his love of music and art. The author and illustrator wrote about what a special person he was and I felt like I could hear his music in their descriptions. My knowledge of Jimi Hendrix was, up until now, about his death at a young age of a drug overdose. I only knew of him as a typical rock star. In the Author’s Note Gary Golio writes about Jimi’s addictions and death at a young age. He includes websites and books about peer pressure and alcohol addictions.
This book could be used with at risk middle school kids. They could learn that Jimi Hendrix had enormous potential but that he died young because of his drug addictions. The websites and books listed are excellent resources for kids who are dealing with issues that might cause them to turn to drugs or alcohol.
In the Illustrator’s Note, Javaka Steptoe described how she really got to know about Jimi by walking the streets where he lived, going to his elementary school and visiting his home. I think older kids could follow her lead and research someone or something they are interested in by following a similar process.
I loved that this book focused on Jimi’s creativity and his love of music and art. The author and illustrator wrote about what a special person he was and I felt like I could hear his music in their descriptions. My knowledge of Jimi Hendrix was, up until now, about his death at a young age of a drug overdose. I only knew of him as a typical rock star. In the Author’s Note Gary Golio writes about Jimi’s addictions and death at a young age. He includes websites and books about peer pressure and alcohol addictions.
This book could be used with at risk middle school kids. They could learn that Jimi Hendrix had enormous potential but that he died young because of his drug addictions. The websites and books listed are excellent resources for kids who are dealing with issues that might cause them to turn to drugs or alcohol.
In the Illustrator’s Note, Javaka Steptoe described how she really got to know about Jimi by walking the streets where he lived, going to his elementary school and visiting his home. I think older kids could follow her lead and research someone or something they are interested in by following a similar process.
April 22, 2014
Jimi: sounds like a rainbow: a story of the young Jimi Hendrix is a picture book biography of the 1960's rock legend. As a boy, Jimi did not have much material wealth, but his artistic mind and musical ability enriched him in so many other ways. He loved playing with colors and creating visual delights, then moving on to a fascination for music and guitars. He became one of the most famous guitarists of his time, and his music is still timeless, though he's been gone many years. The story of Jimi is written in a lyrical, light format, showcasing the young Jimi as a gifted music lover and student of music, and ends in a positive message from Jimi to let no one turn you off from your own thoughts and dreams. Illustrations are rich in color and imagination,and the placement of the text combined with the bold, vibrant, encompassing artwork blend together to capture and keep the young reader's attention and enjoyment of the subject. The "More about Jimi Hendrix" page will add to the
reader's knowledge of this performer,. The author's note page explains the circumstances of Jimi Hendrix's premature death at age 27, and is delicately well done. A good chance for parent and young child to read and discuss together. The illustrator's note explains how observing film of Jimi and watching clips of his performances, and creating the art for the book helped the artist's appreciation for Jimi's music. Once again, a picture book biography is a great way of exposing youngsters to reading non-fiction, and becoming exposed to other places and times in history.
reader's knowledge of this performer,. The author's note page explains the circumstances of Jimi Hendrix's premature death at age 27, and is delicately well done. A good chance for parent and young child to read and discuss together. The illustrator's note explains how observing film of Jimi and watching clips of his performances, and creating the art for the book helped the artist's appreciation for Jimi's music. Once again, a picture book biography is a great way of exposing youngsters to reading non-fiction, and becoming exposed to other places and times in history.
March 31, 2016
Jimi Hendrix (originally James "Jimmy" Hendrix) was born in 1942 in Seattle, Washington. This book follows the story of how he came to first play the guitar. Jimi really liked colors, and he would see them when he played the guitar; he saw them when he first played an electric guitar. Jimi lived with his father in various boarding houses, and one night, he was listening to his landlady's son play the guitar. Jimi's father bought the guitar from his landlady and gave it to Jimi, and he taught himself how to play it. He was playing the guitar at an event, but he realized that nobody could hear it; so, his father got him an electric guitar, and the rest is history.
I really liked this book! I didn't know much about Jimi Hendrix until I read this book, so it was interesting to learn about how he first learned to play guitar. The illustrations were really cool! The words were descriptive, especially when describing what colors Jimi saw in various objects.
I could use this book in the classroom to talk about the importance of practice (Jimi practiced playing the guitar until he believed that he was very good); if you practice something that you love to do, you will improve your skills slowly but surely! After all, practice makes perfect. It's also a good book to read because it brings about different emotions related to music (what music means to different people), and how music is important.
I really liked this book! I didn't know much about Jimi Hendrix until I read this book, so it was interesting to learn about how he first learned to play guitar. The illustrations were really cool! The words were descriptive, especially when describing what colors Jimi saw in various objects.
I could use this book in the classroom to talk about the importance of practice (Jimi practiced playing the guitar until he believed that he was very good); if you practice something that you love to do, you will improve your skills slowly but surely! After all, practice makes perfect. It's also a good book to read because it brings about different emotions related to music (what music means to different people), and how music is important.
October 14, 2016
Review: This biography goes into detail about Jimi Hendrix and his youth. The illustrations are very modern and eye-catching, there is a whole lot going on! The story uses poetry and lyric like phrases, and I feel that it makes you think about what he is saying in a deeper manner. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and how it introduces you to Jimi Hendrix as a child.
Content Areas: I would definitely use this in my general music or band/orchestra classes. When he first gets a guitar, he has to practice, practice, practice. And the book clearly communicates that you must work very hard to master this craft, therefore I feel that this story would encourage students to work towards their goal. I also think I would use this as a history component for music. It mentions many different artists that have contributed to what music has become, and I feel that learning about different artists would be greatly beneficial.
Comprehension:
Q: When was Jimi Hendrix born?
A: He was born in 1942, in Seatlle, Washington.
Q: What was one interesting tid-bit that sparked your interest?
A: When he turned 18, he joined the Army's 101st Airborne Division. And he became a paratrooper.
Q: What is Jimi Hendrix well known for?
A: For being one of the greatest electric guitarists of all time.
Wonder:
1. What inspired the type of illustrations in the book?
2. What did his dad do?
3.What happened to his mother?
Content Areas: I would definitely use this in my general music or band/orchestra classes. When he first gets a guitar, he has to practice, practice, practice. And the book clearly communicates that you must work very hard to master this craft, therefore I feel that this story would encourage students to work towards their goal. I also think I would use this as a history component for music. It mentions many different artists that have contributed to what music has become, and I feel that learning about different artists would be greatly beneficial.
Comprehension:
Q: When was Jimi Hendrix born?
A: He was born in 1942, in Seatlle, Washington.
Q: What was one interesting tid-bit that sparked your interest?
A: When he turned 18, he joined the Army's 101st Airborne Division. And he became a paratrooper.
Q: What is Jimi Hendrix well known for?
A: For being one of the greatest electric guitarists of all time.
Wonder:
1. What inspired the type of illustrations in the book?
2. What did his dad do?
3.What happened to his mother?
October 26, 2010
At first glance, Jimi Hendrix, who tragically died at age 27 from a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol, may seem like an unlikely subject for a picture book. But Golio, an artist and musician himself as well as an author, manages to bring to life Jimi as a young boy and his unique way of looking at the world. What we might think of as ordinary sounds took on extraordinary colors to this musically gifted young boy. "A child was laughing, squealing like a clarinet on one of Dad's big band records," writes Golio. Music of all kinds set off "fireworks in his mind," and he begs for a guitar of his own. With his guitar, he could make a "rainbow of sounds," and with these visual analogies, Golio explains how Hendrix taught his guitar to make unconventional sounds, using it "as an artist uses paint."
Golio's text is set off by extraordinary collage illustrations by Javaka Steptoe which evoke the psychedelic colors and shapes of the 1960's. The illustrations with their wild colors (i.e. Hendrix painted completely in shades of purple and blue) and varied textures suggest the rainbow of sounds produced by Hendrix' guitar.
Jimi has already received starred reviews in Kirkus and School Library Journal and would be a great purchase for libraries as well as parents who would like to share one of rock's legends with their children.
Golio's text is set off by extraordinary collage illustrations by Javaka Steptoe which evoke the psychedelic colors and shapes of the 1960's. The illustrations with their wild colors (i.e. Hendrix painted completely in shades of purple and blue) and varied textures suggest the rainbow of sounds produced by Hendrix' guitar.
Jimi has already received starred reviews in Kirkus and School Library Journal and would be a great purchase for libraries as well as parents who would like to share one of rock's legends with their children.
April 2, 2013
Audience: All grade levels can take a look at this book. This book has absolutely phenomenal illustrations. The story is very mind blowing creative.
Appeal: This book sucks you in with its magical waves of abstract art and its inspirational story. Kids of all ages will truly benefit from this books art, if you take a bit of time and really look at the details that make up each page; you begin to see what Jimi was seeing when he played music. The art really represents the mind of Jimi in a way. Also the story of Jimi throughout the book is inspirational and motivating for those who may not have much to live on or possess much, it gives others hope and the idea of little things can make the difference in your life. At the end of the book it also gives a little synopsis of Jimi Hendrix musical life and where he came from.
Adaptation: This book would be ideal for an art classroom. The art styles throughout this book are just mind-blowing and really get you to read the art and not just the words. I felt that you could have children read this book and as an activity, close their eyes and dream, hear, and see inside their heads of something that amazes them and then draw it.
Award: 2011 Coretta Scott King Award Copyright 2010
Appeal: This book sucks you in with its magical waves of abstract art and its inspirational story. Kids of all ages will truly benefit from this books art, if you take a bit of time and really look at the details that make up each page; you begin to see what Jimi was seeing when he played music. The art really represents the mind of Jimi in a way. Also the story of Jimi throughout the book is inspirational and motivating for those who may not have much to live on or possess much, it gives others hope and the idea of little things can make the difference in your life. At the end of the book it also gives a little synopsis of Jimi Hendrix musical life and where he came from.
Adaptation: This book would be ideal for an art classroom. The art styles throughout this book are just mind-blowing and really get you to read the art and not just the words. I felt that you could have children read this book and as an activity, close their eyes and dream, hear, and see inside their heads of something that amazes them and then draw it.
Award: 2011 Coretta Scott King Award Copyright 2010
April 16, 2018
Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix was the award winner in 2011 for an Illustrator Honor Book under the Coretta Scott King Book Award. The illustrations are what captivated me as the reader and enhanced the life story and message of young Hendrix. Growing up hearing his music this book put a face and a story to the life of this talented musician. This book is influential and both directly and indirectly addresses mental health, poverty, having dreams and passions, and making a life for yourself regardless of circumstances. As mentioned in the instructions for this assignment we are instructed to read not only the text but also the images. A talented author of an illustrated children’s book knows that his or her talent can only take them so far, what ties a book together is the illustrations and imagery expressed. When this happens, is when w book truly comes full circle and meets its full potential of influencing its readers by the story it tells. This could be a potential difficult read for young readers because of its transparency about battling mental health, but I believe an educated individual is a cultured one. We want the world to be cultured, don’t we?
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