Ordinary Days - by Angela Joy (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Before he became a legend, he was just a boy... On an ordinary day, you could see him. A young boy named Prince Rogers Nelson, who had parents who fought, nowhere to call home, and a collection of memories turned into sound: the shouts of anger, the purr of pigeons, the roar of cars down a busy Minneapolis street, and the whisper of cold wind on budding lilac bushes. Other sounds joined in as he taught himself to play the guitar, piano, drums, and much more, leading to the day this ordinary boy began to make music and became extraordinary"--

Book Synopsis

A rhythmic, striking picture book biography of legendary singer/songwriter/performer Prince.

Before he became a legend, he was just a boy...

On an ordinary day, you could see him. A young boy named Prince Rogers Nelson, who had parents who fought, nowhere to call home, and a collection of memories turned into sound: the shouts of anger, the purr of pigeons, the roar of cars down a busy Minneapolis street, and the whisper of cold wind on budding lilac bushes.

Other sounds joined in as he taught himself to play the guitar, piano, drums, and much more, leading to the day this ordinary boy began to make music--and became extraordinary.

Black Is a Rainbow Color and Choosing Brave author Angela Joy's exquisite words harmonize with acclaimed illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara's sweeping art to create a tender, profound look into music icon Prince's early life and the moments that shaped him.

Ordinary Days also includes an extensive author's note and playlist of recommended Prince songs suitable for young listeners.

Review Quotes

"This poetic picture-book biography is a sensitively expressed tribute... Through its compelling poetry, this poignant perspective on Prince's boyhood illuminates the moments that led an ordinary boy to become a musician of extraordinary accomplishments." --Booklist

"The rhythm of Joy's poetic text matches the rhythm of Prince's early life... [this] telling of Prince's childhood will resonate with young people who use art to find meaning in difficult days." --Horn Book

"[A] lyrical tribute to the groundbreaking Black musician." --Kirkus

"Via emotional verse and lavender-tinged spreads, Joy and Alcántra capture the life and artistry of Prince Rogers Nelson (1958-2016) in this evocative picture book." --Publishers Weekly

"In this visually gorgeous, poetic homage to Prince, readers are introduced to a brilliant musician who often drew on his painful early childhood as inspiration for his work... [T]his is a noteworthy, introductory look at a truly astonishing musician." --BCCB

"This is a bold biography, finding inspiration from the subject and universalizing Prince's creativity through a gentle approach. It's perfect for elementary schools, especially as applied to music and art." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Angela Joy was born and raised in North Minneapolis, MN, half a block from the little pink house that Prince called home. She found inspiration, training, and opportunity within his tight-knit community of artistic colleagues, priming her for a successful career in music. In 1999 she performed live with Prince at Madison Square Garden. Angela now uses lessons learned in music to write lyrical poetry, including the award-winning books Black is a Rainbow Color and Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement.

Jacqueline Alcántara is the award-winning illustrator of The Field and its companion Climb On!, both written by Baptiste Paul, Freedom Soup, written by New York Times bestselling author Tami Charles, Jump at the Sun, written by Newbery Honoree Alicia D. Williams, and Your Mama, written by NoNieqa Ramos, which was a finalist for the Kirkus Prize. Her works have received multiple starred reviews and been named Best Books of the Year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, Shelf Awareness and The Horn Book, among others. She draws and teaches illustration in Chicago, IL.