Book Review: Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow: A Story Of The Young Jimi Hendrix
by Gary Golio, Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
Publication Date: Oct 04, 2010
List Price: $17.99
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Classification: Nonfiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780618852796
Imprint: Clarion Books
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Parent Company: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Read a Description of Jimi: Sounds Like A Rainbow: A Story Of The Young Jimi Hendrix
Book Reviewed by Kam Williams
"To really know about a person, you have to do things that they did, and see the
things that they saw. So I listened t the music, and watched performances on
YouTube, I walked the streets of Jimi’s hometown, Seattle. I read and thought
about Jimi, and talked to people who knew him, and I even fingered an electric
guitar once or twice…
I thought about how Jimi saw the world and how that differed from other people’s
views, so I painted Jimi one way and his surroundings another way… This book is
about the creative process of an artist… No matter who we are creatively, we all
basically follow the same path, but make the process our own and unique to us…
All I can say is, Jimi rocks!"
— Excerpted from the Illustrator’s Note (pg. 31)
Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) was a flamboyant rock icon who flamed out instead of
fading away due to his also being a substance abuser who dabbled in everything
from alcohol to marijuana to amphetamines to hashish to heroin to LSD before
succumbing at the tender age of 27 to a combination of red wine and sleeping
pills. Ostensibly enough time has elapsed since his passing that Hendrix can now
serve as a role model to children, at least in terms of overcoming childhood
adversity, exploring one’s creativity and, of course, making beautiful music.
Thus, he is appropriately the subject of Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, an
autobiography designed for 4th though 8th graders which focuses primarily on the
legendary guitarist’s formative years spent growing up and exploring in Seattle.
Faithful factually to what actually transpired in Jimi’s life, the book touches
on such significant milestones as his acquiring his first ukulele, guitar and,
later, electric guitar.
Adults familiar with Hendrix’s hits are more apt to appreciate how author Gary
Golio has imperceptibly woven allusions to songs like "The Wind Cries Mary" and
"Purple Haze" right into the story. A little less subtle are Javaka Steptoe’s
psychedelic illustrations evocative of flower children fave Peter Max.
Hey, if these authors figured out how to put a positive spin on the Woodstock
Nation’s fondness for hallucinogens, who knows what’s next? Maybe a graphic
pop-up book aimed at kindergarteners about the Hip-Hop Generation’s East
Coast-West Coast turf war featuring bios of Biggie and Tupac.