The Songwriting, Hit-Singing, Guitar-Picking Dolly Parton
Published by Calkins Creek (2022-09-20)
"Suzanne Slade weaves an engaging account of Dolly Parton’s music-filled childhood in the Tennessee mountains, her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry as a thirteen-year-old, and her move to Nashville after high school. Beautifully illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, this charming book will inspire young readers to nurture and follow their own dreams, just as Dolly did." —Lydia Hamessley, professor of music at Hamilton College and author of Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton
"A title brimming with love for a favorite country music star. Slade’s text includes quotes from Parton and adopts a down-home voice for the narration as she returns to Dolly’s Tennessee roots to tell her rags-to-riches coming-of-age story....Fotheringham incorporates symbols and motifs...that are important to Parton’s career or figure prominently in her lyrics, which will delight those familiar with her catalog. A new generation will understand why we will always love this iconic singer/songwriter." —Kirkus Reviews
"The tale of Dolly Parton's rise to fame is one of rags to riches, in which a resourceful and determined young girl is able to make it big...Readers will find a lot of charm here, and the illustrations bring one back to the period, into the rural Tennessee mountains, and ultimately to the big city, where Dolly finally finds fame." —Booklist