Starman - by Matthew Cordell (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Introduce young minds to the many iconic faces of David Bowie with this ethereal homage from Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell.

David Bowie's countless devotees know that he was more than a musician, more than a celebrity; the trail of expression and creativity that he blazed is burning to this day, lighting a path for ages to come. But how to introduce that blaze to kids who weren't even born yet when he passed on?

In answer, Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell brings readers on the galactic journey of Bowie's life, with stops for each phase of his ever-transforming career. No cut-and-dry biography, Starman is the true story of a spirit driven to seek, to dare, and to continuously transform.

Review Quotes

The text is elevated by the author's use of questioning at the beginning of each section. . . . The illustrations vary from highly colorful to sparse while capturing Bowie's journey as he repeatedly reinvented himself in his efforts to honor his creative soul. . . . Expressive illustrations and engaging, informative text make this an exemplary picture book biography.
--School Library Journal (starred review)

Conversational narration asks listeners to ponder their own lives . . . providing a layer of connection with the musician as each of those questions is then answered with details from Bowie's life. Low points are handled with grace, presented in the same straightforward way as his best moments--part of the threads that, when all woven together, make a whole person. The art choices are extraordinary and thoughtful; each of the five paths Cordell identifies is represented with a different medium, so the book itself becomes a bit of a master class in the distinct stories that can be told not only in words but also in distinct mediums. . . .
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Though Cordell's signature scratchy ink line remains a constant, every section earns its own visual look. . . . A reverent, restless paean to an artist "forever facing and embracing the change," this honors its subject by refusing to sit still.
--Publishers Weekly

A dreamy account. . . .
--Kirkus Reviews

The five-page preamble to the title page provides an aptly dreamy introduction to this picture-book biography and lays out Cordell's central thesis: that above all else Bowie's (1947-2016) career was a celebration of change. . . . Fittingly, Cordell's art similarly changes through the course of the book. Using an extensive variety of media, including collage, watercolor, acrylic, and ballpoint pen, he brings the larger-than-life personas to the page with the energy and whimsy they demand.
--The Horn Book

About the Author

Matthew Cordell has written and illustrated many books for children, including Wolf in the Snow, which won the Caldecott Medal and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor; Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers; Evergreen; Cornbread and Poppy; Bear Island; and Wish. He is the illustrator of many more, often authored by Philip Stead, such as The Only Fish in the Sea, Follow that Frog!, and Every Dog in the Neighborhood. Matthew's books have been recognized as Best of the Year selections by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe. He lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.