  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 08/01/2018 *Starred Review* This wonderful picture-book biography is an example of how words and illustrations can come together to create an immersive experience that will captivate readers and bring them to a greater understanding of an artist—in this case, Carlos Santana. The lyrical text, written in present tense, helps audiences participate in Carlos’ musical journey as he grows from a 6-year-old violinist to a 10-year-old street musician playing for tourists on the streets of Tijuana to a young teen performing with Papa’s mariachi band, playing traditional tunes in smoky cantinas. Carlos longs to play the music that has captured his imagination—magical American blues from Muddy Waters and B. B. King—but his father will have none of it. When Carlos turns 15, something miraculous happens: Papa relents and sends Carlos a used electric guitar, launching a career filled with songs famous for their fusion of rock, blues, jazz, and traditional Latin elements. The swirling illustrations mimic the ebb and flow of grown-up Carlos’ band, Santana, evoking its signature sound. The page-filling paintings employ muted colors and design elements that reflect traditional Mexican folk art. This book is a pleasure to read aloud, and the pictures transmit an infectious joy. A fitting tribute to a ground-breaking musician. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. School Library Journal - 10/01/2018 Gr 1–4—Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Carlos Santana grew up worshipping his father, a mariachi musician who taught his son to play the violin and encouraged him to follow in his footsteps. However, the future icon grew to resent the music that took his father away from the family for months at a time. After a family move to Tijuana, young Santana heard rhythm and blues on the radio and it became a siren song to him, a call to play the electric guitar and fuse this music with the traditions that he learned as a child. While the text tells a fairly straightforward and detailed account of Santana's life, it is the artwork (created by the same artist who did cover art for Santana's Shaman album) that is full of vivid, flowing colors that shine as it captures the soul of Santana and his work. The triumphs of the guitarist's musical life, including his first big breakthrough at Woodstock, are relegated to the author's note, cutting the story off just when he reaches a pinnacle. VERDICT A worthy addition to most biography collections that is perfect for sharing, especially paired with samples of his music.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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