Talkin' Guitar: A Story of Young Doc Watson

by Robbin Gourley

Overview

Arthel "Doc" Watson (1923–2012) was a Grammy-winning guitarist, singer, and songwriter, high in the pantheon of bluegrass and country music greats. This picture book tells the story of a country boy, born blind, who found music in the sounds around him and learned to play that music on his guitar. Minimal text and breathtaking illustrations pay tribute to Doc's early determination, imagination, and musicianship. Includes additional biographical information. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544129887
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	03/10/2015
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	7.87(w) x 10.75(h) x 0.36(d)
Lexile:	AD860L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Robbin Gourley is an artist and art director as well as an author and illustrator of cookbooks and picture books. She divides her time between rural Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York.

Editorial Reviews

In twangy language and moody, brightly colored watercolor art, Gourley emphasizes [Watson's] keen ear, subtle appreciation of both sound and silence, and loving, supportive family.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

01/19/2015
A cadenced narrative and soft watercolors in a naïve style take readers through blind folk musician Arthel “Doc” Watson’s Appalachian upbringing. As a child, Watson heard music everywhere, whether in the “high, lonesome whistle of the train,” the sound of geese, or in the saw blade’s rhythm. Playing guitar provided a way for him to communicate with the world without the need for sight: “Now Arthel could play what he couldn’t see.” Endnotes offer information about Watson’s accomplished career, yet the story’s focus remains squarely on the roots of (and his dedication to) his musical passion. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"The paintings' rich colors and simplified, often rhythmically repeated forms suit the story well. A lyrical tribute to the childhood of a folk legend."
—Booklist

"A cadenced narrative and soft watercolors in a naïve style take readers through blind folk musician Arthel “Doc” Watson’s Appalachian upbringing."
—Publishers Weekly

"Uncluttered watercolor illustrations add to the spare text, which stresses Watson's joyful exploration of the sounds of his world...this enchanting introduction to a legendary musician is perfect for most biography collections."
—School Library Journal

"Gourley's affectionate biography is a great starting point for young readers, who are most likely unfamiliar with Doc Watson."
—Horn Book Magazine

"In twangy language and moody, brightly colored watercolor art, Gourley emphasizes his keen ear, subtle appreciation of both sound and silence, and loving, supportive family."
—New York Times Book Review
 

From the Publisher

This biography will introduce a new and memorable figure to young people, especially those who are interested in music. Arthel Watson, who grew up in North Carolina, was blinded in infancy by an eye infection. Lacking sight, he listened with “ears like a cat” to the whoosh of the wind, the patter of the rain, and the peeping of tree frogs. He was surrounded by music. His early attempts at playing instruments met with failure, but the music was in him and he persevered. Finally, he found his instrument, a hand-me-down guitar. Challenged by his father to learn a song in a day, Arthel learned a tune and launched a lifetime love of the bluegrass and folk music for which he became known. The wonderful watercolor illustrations are both strong and delicate and extend to the greenwoods endpapers. The double-page spread of textured black beautifully illustrates the perception of a blind person who might have residual light and dark awareness. It’s really perfect. The language of the book is also marvelous, full of simile (“All those chores and all that practicing made him sharp as a whittling knife and tough as a hickory”) and onomatopoeia. There are also strong messages in this book about the capabilities of people with handicaps. Young Arthel’s father expected him to pull his weight on their farm and gave him given actual chores. Since Arthel was not pitied, he became skilled both in work and in music. The real biographical material is in the back matter of the book, along with reference sources and websites. Doc Watson was a strong influence in the 1960s folk scene, and this book is a fine introduction to the factors that influenced his life and music. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross; Ages 6 to 10.

Children's Literature - Lois Rubin Gross

02/01/2015
K-Gr 3—This charming picture book depicts the childhood of Arthel "Doc" Watson, a blind country and bluegrass guitarist, songwriter, and singer. This story begins on the endpapers, where a wash of soft greens invites readers to peek through trees and discover Watson's home, "where blue mountains meet the sky." Uncluttered watercolor illustrations add to the spare text, which stresses Watson's joyful exploration of the sounds of his world. A variety of colors set the tone: the bright red of the barn where he strummed a steel wire, lemon yellow for the notes on his first harmonica, a sweep of blue behind his banjo. Although his music "sounded like a rusty door hinge" at first, Watson kept with it. This story ends when Watson is still a teen, but an author's note explains how his chores on the farm gave him the confidence to pursue a successful career in music. VERDICT This enchanting introduction to a legendary musician is perfect for most biography collections.—Toby Rajput, National Louis University, Skokie, IL

School Library Journal

2014-11-18
This affectionate portrait of guitar great Arthel "Doc" Watson focuses on his formative musical influences during his Appalachian childhood.Gourley's lyrical prose incorporates occasional diction derived from the setting. "Yonder, where blue mountains meet the sky, Arthel Watson was born into a world of music." Arthel listens intently—to farm animals, a distant train, peeping frogs and more. He has "ears like a cat." A page turn reveals an inky-black double-page spread and one stark, speculative sentence: "Maybe it was because he was blind." Arthel's "heart full of melody" can't be contained. He drums on pots and strums a steel wire strung to the sliding barn door. His Pappy gives him a harmonica, makes him a banjo and buys his first guitar, from which Arthel's inseparable. Arthel learns farm chores, practicing guitar in between. "He reckoned if he could work like everyone else, he could play music like the folks he heard on the records and the radio." The narrative ends with a beginning and an image of a taller Arthel, guitar in hand. Gourley's watercolors, while often lovely, depict Arthel unevenly, with some spreads appearing less finished than others. For example, the boy's strawberry-blond hair is, at turns, textured with light pencil strokes, heavily crayoned or left untouched. Aspects of visual discontinuity detract from this otherwise sensitive treatment of a celebrated guitarist's early inspirations. (biographical note, bibliography, list of websites) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews