DIY: Making a Battle Jacket

Leo Fender loved to thinker and tinker and take things apart and put them back together again. When he lost an eye in a childhood accident, he refused to think of himself as broken. With a new pair of magnifying glasses, Leo got back to doing what he loved, fixing machines big and small—even broken instruments. His inventions—which included the Telecaster and the Stratocaster—would inspire the rock ’n’ roll generation and go on to amplify the talents of legendary guitarists Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Raitt, among others. Fender’s brilliant engineering vision connected science and art forever.

Bob Marley and the Wailers were born on the island of Jamaica, a small land with deep roots in Africa. Slavery was a folk memory for the island's residents, and twentieth-century racial injustice was all too real. This culture gave birth to the music of Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Put on your blue suede shoes and get ready for another addition to the Who Was…? series! The King could not have come from humbler origins: Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, during the Depression, he grew up with the blues music of the rural South, the gospel music of local churches, and the country-western classics. But he forged a sound all his own—and a look that was all his own, too. With curled lip, swiveling hips, and greased pompadour, Elvis changed popular music forever, ushering in the age of rock and roll. Geoff Edgers’s fascinating biography of this icon of American pop culture includes black and- white illustrations on nearly every spread.

From a young age, Prince was obsessed with music. Even though he couldn’t read it, his talent – whether on piano, drums, guitar or vocals – turned him into an icon. Combining funk, disco, soul and almost every other genre out there, his songs are some of the best-loved all around the world. Prince knew that he didn’t have to be like anyone else to be a star – and there was no one quite like Prince. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the music legend’s life.

The entire town is excited about the summer music festival. The largest attraction this year will be the popular Greenfield Four. The day before the show, The Greenfield Four arrive at the rehearsal hall to find all of their instruments missing!

There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school--you can't fix it with duct tape like you would your Chuck Taylors. On Day One, twelve-year-old Malu (Maria Luisa, if you want to annoy her) inadvertently upsets Posada Middle School's queen bee, violates the school's dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself. The real Malu loves rock music, skateboarding, zines, and Soyrizo (hold the cilantro, please). And when she assembles a group of like-minded misfits at school and starts a band, Malu finally begins to feel at home. She'll do anything to preserve this, which includes standing up to an anti-punk school administration to fight for her right to express herself!

Can Rachel and Kirsty help the Dance Fairies get their grooves back? The Dance Fairies' magic ribbons are missing! Without them, all kinds of dances are getting off on the wrong foot. Everyone is miserable, except for Jack Frost and his goblins. They have the ribbons . . . and it's up to Rachel and Kirsty to get them back! No one in Wetherbury can rock 'n' roll without Rebecca's magical ribbon. But will the goblins roll right out of town with it? Find the magic ribbon in each book, and help keep the Dance Fairies on their toes!

Thirteen-year-old Tig Ripley has plenty of good reasons for starting an all-girl rock band. Never mind she doesn't play an instrument--she'll figure that out. Fronting a band is sure to propel her out of the background and into the spotlight at her middle school. So after a few weeks' worth of drumming lessons under her belt, she starts assembling her band. With her cousin Kyra agreeing to play bass, soon Tig has her piano-playing friend Olivia down for the keyboard. And then she convinces tough girl Robbie Chan to sign on as lead guitarist. With a cool name--Pandora's Box--all the band needs now is a killer lead singer. How hard can that be? But when Kyra invites obnoxious diva Haley Thornton to join the band, Tig realizes snagging a lead singer--the right lead singer--is not going to be easy. Everyone says the drummer is the heartbeat of a band--does Tig have what it takes to lead Pandora's Box?

Move over Mozart! Babymouse has music in her soul...but sadly, not in her flute. Will Babymouse ever hit the right note? Will she be the star of the school concert, or is her musical career all washed up before it's even started? Find out in Babymouse: Rock Star, the sensational fourth book in the Babymouse series--taking center stage this fall!

Thirteen-year-old Dinah Lance knows exactly what she wants, who she is, and where she's going. First, she'll win the battle of the bands with her two best friends, then she'll join the Gotham City Junior Police Academy so she can solve crimes just like her dad. Who knows, her rock star group of friends may even save the world, but first they'll need to agree on a band name. When a mysterious figure keeps getting in the way of Dinah's goals and threatens her friends and family, she'll learn more about herself, her mother's secret past, and navigating the various power chords of life.

It’s the first day of seventh grade, and everything is going downhill for Lucy Sutcliffe. At school, she has the feeling her friends are all leaving her behind. At home, her single father is in a rut, and her perpetually traveling photojournalist mother is more absent than ever. Worst of all, Lucy’s grandmother is undergoing chemotherapy and is no longer the warm, vibrant presence that her family has come to depend on. But everything changes the day Lucy discovers a box of her father’s Beatles records. Inspired by their music, she gets a drum set and forms an all-girl rock band with her friends. But can she keep the band together when petty rivalries, unrequited crushes, and outside pressures threaten to tear it apart?

Callie and Martina are two mice with almost nothing in common. Callie is a punk rock star in the big city who could use a little peace and quiet. Martina is a singing farm mouse with dreams of making it in the big city. When they both show up at the Battle of the Bands, Callie and Mel get a taste of what the other has to offer. But is living another mouse's life really all it's cracked up to be? In this Far Out Fables adventure, Aesop's "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" is retold with a modern twist to create an exciting graphic novel for kids!

Hip-Hop, Sci-Fi and Kung Fu all hit the turn-tables for the mash-up mix of the year! Cartoonist/force of nature Yehudi Mercado (Pantalones, TX, Rocket Salvage) sets his sights on 1980s Brooklyn and Wax, a young mix-master who scratches the perfect beat and accidentally summons a UFO that transports his family, best friend, and current crush to the robot-dominated planet of Discopia. Now Wax and his crew must master the intergalactic musical martial art of Sci-Fu to fight the power and save Earth. Word to your mother.

When an ancient Diamond Authority artifact accidentally gets activated, Steven, Sadie, and the Crystal Gems must work together to deactivate the Harmony Core before it destroys earth. Steven and the Crystal Gems embark on an epic musical journey after the Harmony Core, an ancient Diamond Authority artifact, accidentally activates on Earth, capturing the people of Beach City. As Steven becomes responsible for bubbling each Harmony Core, he’ll learn that the only way to stop it is through the power of song. Join musician and writer S.M. Vidaurri (Adventure Time™, Jim Henson’s The Storyteller) and artist Mollie Rose (Weeds) as Steven and the Crystal Gems put on the show of their lives to save everyone in Beach City and the entire Earth!

Is there a unicorn wandering around Woodstock? Or is it just a figment of some hippie's imagination? Marcus, Jorge, and Elena will have to find out as T�o sends them back to the Summer of Love. They will explore the world's happiest--and muddiest--rock festival along the way, learning about both the groovy and the controversial aspects of 1960s culture and history. Readers will get acquainted not only with the 1960s, but also with the beautiful, mysterious beast that is the unicorn.

We're spilling the tea on the latest trends. Curious about the lives of influencers? Want to know more about VSCO girls or sustainable fashion? Read more to be in the know. This high-interest series is written at a low readability to aid struggling readers. Each book includes educational sidebars, throwback biographies of "OG" influencers, fast facts, and social media challenges, as well as a table of contents, glossary of keywords, index, and author biography.

Far-Out Fashion checks out the craziest fashion trends in the world--stories too strange to be made up! The book is written with a high interest level to appeal to a more mature audience with a lower level of complexity for struggling readers. Clear visuals and colorful photographs help with comprehension. Fascinating information and wild facts that will hold the readers' interest are conveyed in considerate text for older readers, allowing for successful mastery of content. A table of contents, glossary, and index all enhance comprehension and vocabulary. Take a look at the world's weirdest stories--stories too strange to be made up! Written with a high interest level to appeal to a more mature audience and a lower level of complexity with clear visuals to help struggling readers along. Considerate text includes tons of fascinating information and wild facts that will hold the readers' interest, allowing for successful mastery and comprehension. A table of contents, glossary with simplified pronunciations, and index all enhance comprehension.

The clothes we wear every day keep us comfortable, protect us from the elements, and express our unique style--but could fashion also be fatal? As it turns out, history is full of fashions that have harmed or even killed people. From silhouette-cinching corsets and combustible combs to lethal hair dyes and flammable flannel, this nonfiction book looks back at the times people have suffered pain, injury, and worse, all in the name of style. Historical examples like the tragic "Radium Girl" watchmakers and mercury-poisoned "Mad Hatters," along with more recent factory accidents, raise discussion of unsafe workplaces--where those who make the clothes are often fashion's first victims.

Are you tired of your basic T-shirt? Looking to upgrade your footwear? There's no need to spend big bucks when you can fashion hack it! Flip through these pages to learn how to take your everyday look and make it pop! Easy-to-read, high-interest hacks will engage even the most reluctant reader

Stitch together your creativity and get crafty! Discover new skills and learn basic sewing stitches to create projects like a tooth fairy monster, finger puppet, pillowcase, and more! Book includes an introduction and history on sewing. It also includes several projects with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and illustrations. Book is developed to aid struggling and reluctant readers with engaging content, carefully chosen vocabulary, and simple sentences. Includes table of contents, glossary, index, sidebars, and author biographies.

Rock and roll sprang from a combination of African-American genres, Western swing, and country music that exploded in post World War II America. Jim O'Connor explains what constitutes rock music, follows its history and sub-genres through famous musicians and groups, and shows how rock became so much more than just a style of music influencing fashion, language, and lifestyle.

The History of Rock: For Big Fans and Little Punks is a magical mystery tour through popular music history, featuring trailblazing acts from the 1950s to the present. Colorful, stylish illustrations bring to life artists like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Joan Jett, and Madonna, plus bands such as The Beatles, The Clash, Beastie Boys, and Pearl Jam, all of whom have inspired countless boys and girls to become musicians over the past 70 years.

From greats like Patti Smith and Joan Jett to legends-in-the-making like Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato, girls want to rock. They want to start bands, write songs, get up on stage, and kick out the jams. Here's the book to teach them how. Written by an obsessive music lover who's spent her life playing, performing, publicizing, and writing about rock 'n' roll, The Girls' Guide To Rocking is a hip, inspirational guide for rad girls who want to make their rock dreams come true. It's everything a rocking girl needs to know: how to choose the right instrument for you, where to shop for instruments and where to avoid. How to get your band together and keep it together—tips on playing in a band with your friends and staying friends. How to turn your bedroom into a soundproof practice space. Giving your band the right name, plus a cautionary glossary of overused words (Wolf, Star, Crystal, Earth, etc.). How to set-up and promote your own shows. The freedom of going solo, and how to handle performing alone in the spotlight. Songwriting tips, with eight prompts to get the lyrics flowing. The ins and outs of recording, whether at home or in a studio. Taking care of business: publicizing your band, making T-shirts, legalese and the creative personality, and the four signs that say "time to hire a manager"—in other words, you've arrived. Includes a girls-in-rock timeline, essential listening lists, and quotes from the greats: Nina Simone, Hayley Williams, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Brownstein, Amy Lee, Kim Gordon, and more. Now get out there and rule the world.

From the day that Lars Ulrich stepped off the tennis court and into the record store, to his epic meeting with James Hetfield and their claim on pure Heavy Metal, Metallica has reigned supreme with their strength and explosive sound. Metalheads and new fans alike will shred through the story of Metallica, the power of their music, and their place as legends.

The Ramones are punk rock. It started in Queens, New York in the early seventies. Four shy boys who couldn't even play instruments got a couple guitars, found some ripped jeans and black leather jackets, and took over the world of punk. Lifelong rockers and new fans alike will love learning more about Joey, Johnny, Tommy, and Dee Dee and their journey to change the world of punk rock forever. So hurry, hurry, hurry, turn up the volume, and discover why their legendary music will continue to live on for generations to come.

Rock and roll around the clock with this fun and fact-filled introduction to the pioneers of rock and roll. Read about fourteen of the original stars of rock and roll — from Bill Haley and His Comets to James Brown and his Famous Flames — and learn how, nearly fifty years ago, they created a brand-new sound. These artists influenced a generation of teenagers and inspired many of today’s most important musicians.
Bright, lively, and hip illustrations combined with concise and informational text make this a sure number-one hit with music buffs of all ages.

Based on the primetime PBS television special coming this fall, this tie-in book finds Arthur yearning to join a rock band started by Francine. But Arthur doesn't make it through the auditions and Francine chooses Molly, Binky, Fern, and Mrs. MacGrady instead. Then the Backstreet Boys come to Elwood City and change "everything!."

Mole has a rock 'n' roll soul. He wears a leather jacket (even in summer) and shades (even at night), and he can strut just like his idol, Mick Badger. But then Mole's friend Pig plans a talent show and, to everyone's shock, Mole refuses to play. He's a rock star, see-just as long as no one's watching. The night of the big show, Pig is ready for his sizzling dance number, but wait-his iPod's broken! Can Mole step up and save his friend's rep, or will the bright lights and big crowds make him shake in his shades?

David Bowie is one of the most influential artists of our time, beloved for his joyful self-expression and fierce individuality. But how did he come to be this iconic Starman, celebrated by millions around the world? Inspired by the life and lyrics of David Bowie, author-illustrator Jami Gigot imagines the story of a lonely young boy enchanted by the music of the stars—yet no one else can hear the shimmy-shake rhythm that moves through his body. At first misunderstood and ignored, David ultimately finds the courage to be true to himself, sparking a dazzling revolution…At once vibrantly imaginative and true to the spirit of Bowie, Starboy is about embracing your individuality and discovering the cosmic rhythm that hums within each of us.

Penelope is a T. rex, and she's very good at it. She also likes to rock out on guitar! With the school talent show coming up, Penelope can't wait to perform for her classmates. But sharing who you are can be show-stoppingly scary, especially when it's not what people expect. Will Penelope get by with a little help from her friends?

After a long day of work, Farmer Joe goes home to bed.
But meanwhile, back at the barn . . .
Cow sets up her drums.
Pig plugs in his amp.
Goat tunes his bass.
Chicken sets up her keyboards.
And Sheep checks the microphone.
They are Punk Farm and tonight they're ready to ROCK!

FARMER JOE IS heading off to a Tractor Society Conference in Reno. But meanwhile, back at the farm . . . Cow, Sheep, Pig, Goat, and Chicken are getting ready to rock across the U.S.A. as they set out on a Punk Farm tour! Only, their beat-up old tour van is threatening to ruin their plans. Can the wheels on the van go round and round all the way from Maine to Colorado?

Join superstar Lil Nas X—who boasts the longest-running #1 song in history—and Panini the pony on a joyous journey through the alphabet from sunup to sundown. Experience wide-open pastures, farm animals, guitar music, cowboy hats, and all things country in this debut picture book that’s perfect for music lovers learning their ABCs and for anyone who loves Nas’s signature genre-blending style. Featuring bold, bright art from Theodore Taylor III, with plenty of hidden surprises for Nas’s biggest fans, C Is for Country is a celebration of song and the power inside us all.

What Is Punk? is a must-read pop-culture primer for children--an introduction to the punk revolution, recreated in vivid 3-D clay illustrations and told through rhyming couplets. From London's Clash and Sex Pistols to the Ramones' NYC protopunk, from Iggy Pop to the Misfits, this volume depicts some of our culture's seminal moments and iconic characters. A delightful read for kids and parents alike, illustrated in a truly unique visual style, What Is Punk? lays the groundwork for the next generation of little punks.

Join two rockin’ punk skunks in a fun story about friendship. Kit and Buzz are BSFs—Best Skunks Forever. Every day they rock out together. But when Kit wants to sing a song about skating and Buzz wants to sing a song about painting, the BSFs get into a HUGE fight! They try to hum, drum, and strum on their own, but it’s all wrong. Will Kit and Buzz find a way to make up?

We’re Not Gonna Take It is a playful picture book echoing 1980s hair band Twisted Sister’s most popular antiestablishment anthem. As part of their triple-platinum album Stay Hungry, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” spent fifteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching number twenty-one. With lyrics by Dee Snider and illustrations by Margaret McCartney, this picture book follows three toddlers on a mission to defy their parents, whether it be lunchtime, bath time, or bedtime. We’re Not Gonna Take It is a story both parents and children can relate to, and a song they can enjoy together.

With the school talent show coming up, a young music lover spends most of her time daydreaming about the perfect act. She notices the sounds around her, like the brrrrring of the school bell or the rappa-tappa-tap of rain on the windowpane. But the talent show is the place to reveal her own voice. Will she mix up some hip-hop beats? Will she command an orchestra of dozens, bringing the classics to life? Or, will she go electric, Jimi Hendrix style? Marching out on the talent show stage to the beat of her own drum, this sweet and sassy musician ultimately chooses to be herself and sing her own song loud and proud, “I’ve got a rock ’n’ roll soul!”