Rock and Roll Highway

September 1, 2014
Robertson details his father’s development as a Canadian musician who eventually became known for his work with the Band. Influenced by his First Nation heritage, Robertson formed his first band at age 13; interactions with artists like Buddy Holly and Bob Dylan helped him hone his guitar style. Robertson offers insight into the musical scene of the time, noting the Band’s unique aesthetic: “It was as if they stumbled out of the 1800s right on to the psychedelic rock scene of the 1960s.” Gustavson’s naturalistic oil paintings combine off-the-cuff moments with more iconic compositions that might have been pulled from dusty album covers. A detailed time line and a q&a flesh out this loving account. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Ryan Harbage, Fischer-Harbage Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Abigail Samoun, Red Fox Literary.

September 15, 2014
Guitarist Robbie Robertson's son presents his father's journey to rock-'n'-roll fame. As a child of mixed Mohawk and Jewish heritage in Ontario, Canada, Robbie spent significant time on the reservation where his mother grew up. There, he was inspired by the vivid storytelling of the elders to become a storyteller himself. He was exposed to many instruments but fell in love with the guitar, which he practiced ferociously. By 16, Robbie was making music professionally. He left Canada for New York City and eventually became the lead guitarist for an established touring band. This experience paved the way for Robbie and his band mates, known simply as The Band, to set out creating their own distinctive sound, which incorporated Robbie's passion for storytelling in their lyrics. Robertson writes with an endearing tone of adoration and pride, although the narrative runs awfully long: Lengthy paragraphs include superfluous details that will likely lose the attention of young readers who are not already keen fans. The oil illustrations successfully capture time and place, and they incorporate some of the famous faces Robbie met along his way. The book is most likely to be appreciated in settings where children study musical pioneers-and when accompanied by recordings of The Band's music. A thorough chronicling of a musical trailblazer-though probably too thorough for most in the typical picture-book audience. (timeline, interview) (Picture book/biography. 7-12)

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September 1, 2014

Gr 1-4-This attractive picture book biography profiles artist Robbie Robertson, founder of the Band, the group known for backing up Bob Dylan and for the songs "The Weight," "Up on Cripple Creek," and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." Written by Robbie Robertson's son, Sebastian, the book takes readers through Robbie's life, starting with his birth, covering his childhood in Toronto, development as a musician, and rise to fame, and ending in the mid-1970s with the Band's final performance. The use of dialogue adds to the appeal, keeping the tone lively and accessible. The tone is enthusiastic, bordering on worshipful at times ("It was now 1961 and people came from far and wide to hear the hottest, youngest guitar player around"). Gustavson's rich, nostalgia-tinged oil paintings will provoke plenty of smiles of recognition from adult rock fans, portraying as they do places such as the Brill Building, where Robbie met songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and Big Pink, the house in Woodstock, New York, where the Band's most famous album was recorded, as well as artists with whom Robbie interacted, like Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, and, of course, Dylan. However, these details aren't likely to resonate with the intended audience, for whom the mere mention of Music from Big Pink and "The Last Waltz" won't conjure up beloved memories. Though this is a well-illustrated and nicely told story, the subject matter will limit its appeal.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Grades 1-4 Kids who like dancing around to their parents' (or grandparents') LPs may get a kickand learn something, toofrom this insightful picture-book bio of rocker Robbie Robertson, penned by his son. Robbie's epic journey on the rock and roll highway is just that. Growing up as the child of a Mohawk Indian mother and a Jewish professional gambler, Robbie developed an interest in music that was fueled by reservation storytelling. He became a classic play-till-your-fingers-bleed fanatic, and he was soon drafted to be part of Ronnie Hawkins' outfit. A fortuitous meeting with Bob Dylan led to the formation of The Band, a folk-infused rock group that so confounded Dylan's fans that Robbie had to learn to play without looking at his fingers so as to dodge the thrown refuse. Author Robertson hits all the right notes, knowing just when to bend the strings to work in bits of fascinating detail or esoterica. Gustavson's realistic watercolors have an earthy grit just perfect for this story of the roots of Americana music.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)