John Lennon loved his mother but, alas, he didn’t get to see her much: when he was five years old, his parents split and mum left John with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George. Missing her greatly, he threw his energies into a cheap guitar she’d bought for him. Aunt Mimi said he’d never make a living with it, but “John didn’t believe her.”
You’ll learn in “Fab Four Friends” by Susanna Reich, illustrated by Adam Gustavson, that he was right, and dreams can come true.
Music was important in Paul McCartney’s life, too. It “flowed through every room” in the house where he lived with his father, who taught Paul everything about chords and instruments. When Paul met John, they became friends because they both loved music so much! Another boy who enjoyed music and guitars was George Harrison.
Though he was younger than John and Paul, George loved rock and roll, too. He also had a good ear and could play a song after hearing it only a few times on the radio. John didn’t think much of the kid, until George took out his guitar and started strumming. John was impressed and invited George to join their group, The Quarrymen. Later, they called themselves The Beatles.
People started flocking to clubs where the boys played, and someone started a fan club. John, Paul, and George hired a manager, who began looking at record companies. But something was missing.
Richard Starkey’s loved the drums and he was known around Liverpool for being “tops.” Having him as a Beatle made perfect sense.
To an adult, it might seem like yesterday since the Beatles reigned on radio and record. You just heard one of their songs in an elevator. But will your child understand what’s inside “Fab Four Friends?” That’s a question I had, as I was reading this gorgeously-illustrated, well-researched book. Author Susanna Reich teases readers with little-known facts, but will kids care? Will they see the significance of Adam Gustavson’s artwork? I think so, which is why I highly recommend it for older kids and adult Beatles fans. Small children won’t be able to “come together” for “Fab Four Friends,” but older readers will want to “hold” it in their hands.
“Fab Four Friends,” by Susanna Reich, illustrated by Adam Gustavson [32 pages, $17.99).
Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was 3 years old, and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill with two dogs and 12,000 books.
