The Golden Thread: A Song for Pete Seeger

In Meloy (the Wildwood Chronicles) and McClure's (The Great Chicken Escape) gorgeous, emotionally expansive book, the "golden thread"--a reference to Seeger's hymn of reconciliation, "Oh, Had I a Golden Thread"--becomes a literal and figurative narrative line that follows Seeger's life. The book traces his story from his beginnings in a family of traveling musicians to his global renown as a folk icon, activist, and writer-arranger of quintessential American songs. Meloy, who is also a member of the band The Decemberists, hails his hero in emphatic, lyric-like poetry. Recalling Seeger's testimony during the McCarthy era, Meloy writes: "Pete was then sent to a senator's court/ And thereupon angrily asked to report/ About all his doings and political leanings/ And did any of his songs have nefarious meanings?/ All this just to settle political scores/ But Pete, he just said: 'It's no business of yours.'/ Which it wasn't!/ Still isn't!" McClure, a masterful cut-paper artist, creates her images from sheets of black and gold and punctuates them with a continuous, undulating golden line inscribed with famous lyrics from Seeger's songs. The dynamic spreads evoke both the historic heft of vintage newspaper photography and the soaring beauty of righteous, joyous song. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

K-Gr 4--In this unique picture book biography of the late folk musician and activist, the text is written as lyrics to a ballad. Decemberists singer/songwriter Meloy, author of the "Wildwood" series, writes of the musical legend in a style similar to Seeger's own rambling verse. In the manner of a tall tale he is described as a "Hammer bringer! River singer! Sailing soldier, lean bell ringer." While much of the text flows smoothly in this lyrical style, there are a few forced-rhymes, as well as moments where it feels more Seussian than folk song. McClure's artwork complements the subject with her signature style of impeccable and fluid cut paper. The vignettes capture Seeger's likeness and character, and are based on historical photographs and film. The cut paper is nearly all black and white; the only color is a mustard-gold that serves as the titular thread weaving its way through the illustrations as a representation of music and often containing written song lyrics. This title covers much of Seeger's long life, including his activism, musical career, blacklisting, and family. However, because of the limitations of 48 pages written in rhyming stanzas, Meloy does not go into great detail, making the book better for casual reading than information-gathering. (The reference to Goodnight Irene in the main text doesn't mention that this song was originally written by Lead Belly, though he is referenced in the illustrations, and referred to in the time line.) Additionally, while the back matter lists extensive recommended listening, no further reading is included, the bibliography only referring to two adult biographies. VERDICT This thoughtful and exquisitely-illustrated tribute to Pete Seeger comes on the tails of two more comprehensive picture book biographies, Leda Schubert's Listen and Susanna Reich's Stand Up and Sing. Purchase for larger collections or where Pete Seeger is a popular subject.--Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA