What crazy plans might you concoct, lying in bed at night, listening to the freight trains passing by?”Ages 4–8. Winter’s text reads like blank verse and matches the images’ emotional power on every page: “What would you do if you were just a poor country boy in the big city. Wire, clay, and cloth sculptures by Red Nose Studio find an ideal subject in Presley’s operatic emotions, jet black–dyed pompadour (depicted here in tidal wave proportions), and kinetic hip swiveling. Illustrated with moody and evocative clay figures, this book captures both Elvis’s amazing life and the heart of rock ‘n’ roll.This picture book biography from the duo behind Here Comes the Garbage Barge! conveys the story of Elvis Presley’s life, from crushing loneliness and poverty early on to his first #1 hit, “Heartbreak Hotel.” Reality and fantasy blend together in the cinematically styled and lit compositions: when young Presley first hears gospel music coming from a rural African-American church “on a dusty road,” the building seems to ascend to heaven on wings (an afterword delves further into his rise within the context of America’s racial history).

'Bold, vibrant, and captivating - just like its main character - Elvis Is King! introduces a new generation of young readers to the iconic performer. ' Unique and artistic, this biography will not only entertain readers, but will also leave them with a deeper understanding of Elvis.' ( School Library Journal) 'Winter offers an honest and fitting tribute to the King, exploring the power of music to heal and to inflame, to lift a talented boy out from poverty to the very peaks of success.' ( Kirkus reviews, featured article/interview!)

Jonah Winter and Red Nose Studio have created a tour-de. … Is it rhythm and blues? Yep ….' Eventually he writes: 'It’s more than the sum of its parts.' The same could be said of this biography - magnetic and charismatic, much like Elvis himself, it all adds up to an electrifying rags-to-riches tale that you won’t soon forget.' ( Kirkus Reviews, featured article!) In single- page chapters with titles like The First Cheeseburger Ever Eaten by Elvis and Shazam. 'The final page of Elvis Is King! has the heading: 'What Is This Crazy Music, Anyway?' Here, Winter tries to put words to Elvis’s appeal, as if he is thinking it through on the page: 'Is it country music? Sort of. *' A reprise collaboration between Winter and Red Nose Studio is indeed something to celebrate (see Here Comes the Garbage Barge, BCCB 4/10), and both author and illustration team are at peak performance in this sly, rollicking picture book bio of Elvis Presley and his rise from mic-shy blond tyke to teen dreamboat with product-infused raven hair who turned his stage-fright trembling into iconic sex appeal.' ( BCCB, starred review AND featured review! ) Read the review ( Kirkus Reviews, starred review) Read the review

*'Readers will want to pore over this thoroughly engaging volume.'

Elvis is king by jonah winter