Two intrepid librarians

Two intrepid librarians review the best nonfiction books for children

Monday, October 17, 2022

Dazzling' Dolly by Suzanne Spade

 

Dazzlin' Dolly: the Songwriter, Hit-Singing, Guitar-Picking Dolly Parton
by Suzanne Slade;
illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Calkins Creek; An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2022

This very inspirational picture book biography opens with a quote from Dolly Parton.

"If you're gonna make a dream come true, you gotta work it. You can't just sit around." 

An extraordinary performer, Dolly Parton has been entertaining audiences for six decades. Not only is her voice distinctive, she is also admired for her kindness and honesty. 

Born with a powerful voice, the young Dolly was always singin'. She sang to the geese who flew overhead, to the bobwhite at night, and when Mama snapped beans, "Dolly pounded a pot with a spoon and belted out her bean-snapping' tune." 

Her perseverance paid off. When she announced at her graduation her dream of going to Nashville and be a star, readers will learn just how much work the young Dolly put into getting that dream realized. "Nothing was going to stop her from run-in' full steam after her dream (in high heels!)"

Slade's charming narrative reads like Dolly herself is speaking. Paired with Fotheringham's double-page art created digitally on a tablet with a stylus, makes for an engaging story.

Included is More about Dolly, a timeline, and a selected bibliography.

A fun, inspiring book to share with others. 

Oh! Be sure to have some Dolly Parton music playing in the background.



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