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"Colors burst across each page, with layers of collage-work emphasizing the richness of Mitchell’s influences and imagination."
 

—Booklist (starred review)

Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell

Celebrate the captivating life of Joni Mitchell, the world-famous songbird who used her music to ignite and inspire an entire generation.

2020 • ages 4-8 

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062671294
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062671295

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Celebrate the captivating life of Joni Mitchell, the world-famous songbird who used her music to ignite and inspire an entire generation, in this stunning picture book biography from award-winning author and illustrator Selina Alko. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children. Before composing more than two hundred songs, Joni was a young girl from a town on the Canadian prairie, where she learned to love dancing, painting, birdsong, and piano. As she grew up into an artist, Joni took her strong feelings—feelings of love and frustration, and the turbulence that came with being a young woman—and wrote them into vivid songs. Brought to life by Selina Alko’s rainbow collages and lyrical language, this heartfelt portrait of a feminist and folk icon is perfect for parents, children, and music lovers everywhere.

Reviews

     “Colors burst across each page, with layers of collage-work emphasizing the richness of Mitchell’s influences and imagination. Will speak to readers just starting their own exploration of artistic expression." ​

—BOOKLIST starred review

“An inspired and creative ode to the inimitable Joni Mitchell.”​

—KIRKUS

Awards

2020

The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf,

Bologna Children's Book Fair

2020
Best Books for Kids & Teens,
The Canadian Children's Book Center

2020
Mighty Girl's Best Book of the Year

2020
American Illustration 41

“Layered mixed-media collages featuring cut paper, found images, and colorful smears of paint effectively evoke the richly rendered emotional landscapes of Mitchell’s songwriting.” ​

—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

© 2015 Selina Alko

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