The Music Is the People // (Pre-order, Jan 12 2027)

From Coretta Scott King Honor artist and illustrator of Questlove’sThe Idea in You, Sean Qualls comes a captivating introduction on how Black people have influenced music throughout history and what music means to Black culture.

The people sing; the people dance. The people have the music, and the music is the people.

Music has been embedded into the fabric of Black life since the first notes rang out and found their way into the souls of the first African inhabitants. From the melancholic blues to the funkifyingly upbeat disco, from earth-shattering rock n roll to groundbreaking jazz and hip-hop, music has been the bedrock of Black hope and culture. From its earliest arrival in the Americas, Black music has shaped American music and the world has never been the same because of it.

Coretta Scott King Honor illustrator Sean Qualls brings us the electrifying history of Black music and moves from one ground-breaking era to another, giving his own vibrant and hip spin on the rhythm and blues that will always have the power to comfort, guide, inspire, and remind us all.

The Music, The Peoplewill make for the most fun Black music history guide as its:

• A Picture Book That Makes History Fun:The fun, funky, and lively voice present inThe Music, The Peopleis unlike any other and delivers the history of music genres created, influenced, and loved by Black individuals in a way that is sure to readily engage and enlighten readers as they move through music history.
• Filled with Important Messages About Music:The Music, The Peopleinfuses its pages with important messages regarding musics ability to uplift, transcend, break barriers, and lead revolutions. Music feeds the soul, and Qualls gratifyingly depicts that.
• Features Art Like No Other:Each page ofThe Music, The Peoplefeatures Qualls signature breathtaking art as he moves through each musical era, making for a reading experience thats as gratifying as it is captivating.

Sean Quallsis a Brooklyn-based artist, illustrator, and author. His work is a mixed-media combination of painting, drawing, and collage. He is the author and illustrator ofFros, Fades, and Braidsbut has illustrated many picture books, includingThe Idea in Youby Questlove;Before John Was a Jazz Giant, which received a Coretta Scott King Honor;The Poet Slave of Cuba, aBulletin of the Center for Childrens BooksBlue Ribbon book;Dizzy, anALA BooklistNotable Book and aKirkus Reviews,School Library Journal, andChildmagazine best book as well as aBulletin of the Center for Childrens BooksBlue Ribbon book and anALA BooklistEditors Choice; andEmmanuels Dream, which was a Schneider Award winner and an Amazon Best Book of the Month. You can find him occasionally DJing in and around New York City. Visit him at seanqualls.com.

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publish Date: January 12, 2027
• Pages: 48
• Language: English
• Type: Hardcover
• EAN/UPC: 9780063144255
• Dimensions:11 in H | 10 in W | 1 lb Wt
• BISAC Categories: Kids