HELLO, I'M JOHNNY CASH

                             By G. Neri

                                    illustrated by A. G. Ford

                                published by Candlewick Press. 

This beautifully illustrated picture book is a Junior Library Guild Selection. The gorgeous cover is even more eye-catching in person. But it looks pretty good under my tree and it's a great read. This isn't simply the story of Johnny Cash as a singing star. G. Neri uses his evocative writing skills to pull readers into Cash's story. The book begins with the hard-luck life of Cash growing up during the depression and follows the guitar-slinging, truth-telling singer/song-writer through his years dominating country music and crossing musical genres.

This picture book is Neri's nod to the Man in Black who like many Americans have struggled through tragedy and tough times while holding fast to their dreams.  Neri stays true to his own emotive and powerful style. Doing so he's created a soul-soothing and impressive book kids will love and  Johnny Cash himself would be proud to read.