by Cece Bell
First published 2024
Cece Bell presents twenty-six animal musical acts through this alphabet book that doubles as tribute to classic album cover design. The Barbershop Beagles deliver bouncing harmonies while elephant Ella Fontaine croons with elegance. Hip-Hop Hedgehogs spin hilarious rhymes alongside other creatures who populate this musical menagerie. Bell draws from her personal collection of albums, memorabilia, and lyrics spanning 1944 to 1984, the golden era of album artwork. Each fictional act receives biographical treatment in the book's end matter. Hand-painted artwork and lettering capture the visual spirit of vintage record covers. The book adopts album dimensions and design elements that appeal to vinyl collectors and design enthusiasts. Young readers encounter wordplay and silly sounds while adults appreciate the nostalgic references to music history. Bell, creator of the Newbery Honor and Eisner Award winning El Deafo, constructs this homage around her love for music collecting. The book celebrates how music connects across generations and species, real or imagined.
Genres: art, animals, picture-books, music
Vibes: nostalgic, playful, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, tribute
Period: 1944-1984
64 pages · Hardcover · Walker Books US