Another nice review from Kirkus for my and Don Tate’s forthcoming picture book Stalebread Charlie and the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band!
Here’s a bit about what they had to say: Drawing from the little that’s known about Emile “Stalebread Charlie” Lacoume, Mahin presents a fictionalized story about the homeless New Orleanian boys who innovated “spasm band” music, considered one of jazz’s precursors[…] Mahin’s jaunty narrative uses occasional rhyme, and onomatopoeic words scroll through in arcing display type. Illustrator Tate’s note mentions finding supporting research for his intentional visual diversity. An upbeat introduction to the scrappy origins of a little-known bit of American musical history.
