Kids Books We Love: Carlos Santana. Sound of the Heart, Song of the World
Explore the childhood story of Carlos Santana in Gary Golio's picture book. Carlos Santana, Sound of the Heart, Song of the World, featuring illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez.
Last September, Gary Golio released his new nonfiction Picture Book, Carlos Santana: Sound of the Heart, Song of the World. We got a copy of the book a few weeks ago from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and my son was really curious to read it. First I shared with him some of his music on our way to school so he could relate it with the story later. That afternoon we jumped into reading the book and discussed what being passionate about something means, and how he could pursue any goals and adventures he can imagine, leaving all obstacles aside.
I really like that Gary wrote a book that focuses a lot on Carlo’s childhood and his family back in Mexico. I felt like those first pages really made my son connect with the protagonist, and imagine the situations comparing them with his own life, our family members who still live in Mexico and whom we visit often, and his own cultural experiences.
The book also explores the struggle for families when they blend with a new culture. He found his own voice, but he never left behind the sounds of Mexico that give him a start and pushed to create something new and fresh.
The vibrant illustrations were created by Rudy Gutierrez, the internationally celebrated artist who created the iconic Carlos Santana Shaman CD cover. They transported us to magical world, and the images go round and move, just like music. It’s like you could hear while looking at the book, Carlos Santana’s career, from his early exposure to mariachi to his successful fusion of rock, blues, jazz, and Latin influences.Gary Golio is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling children's book author and visual artist, whose books include Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix, When Bob Met Woody: The Story of the Young Bob Dylan, and Carlos Santana: Sound of the Heart, Song of the World.
Find Carlos Santana’s book here. Find more about Gary’s work here and here.
