Sonny Rollins Plays the Bridge

In an evocative snapshot of a moment in a musician's life, Golio (Dark Was the Night) celebrates Black saxophonist Sonny Rollins's (b. 1930) private escape to a public place: when you can't/ play in your apartment/ (shhh--the neighbors!)/ you can/ play outside/ if/ you know where." Ransome (Overground Railroad) creates vivid watercolor and collage spreads of Rollins rehearsing on a fire escape, and the frustrated expressions of noise-averse neighbors, then follows the musician as he strides through city streets with his saxophone in its case, heading for the Williamsburg Bridge walkway, where "you can/ blow/ blow/ BLOW A HORN/ as loud as/ you/ WANT." Ransome doesn't stint on background scenery; he paints the structure, the buildings below it, and even the traffic along the river with reverence. Up on the bridge, golden bubbles of effervescent sound burst from the bell of Rollins's instrument as he plays to his heart's content, "anything/ EVERYTHING/ that/ comes into his/ mind" against the rhythm of trains "clanking clanging" and "tugboats/ blowing bass notes." The creators' deliberate lines and detailed visuals sing like music themselves as they pay homage to an artist who finds a way to ring out loud and clear. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

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* "Based on a true story, this charming picture book captures and shares the spirit and rhythm of Sonny's playing. The free verse text makes nice use of figurative language ("The river is a shiny endless song," "the sprawling spider city") and Ransome's gorgeous representational art, richly created with watercolor and collage, expands the story beautifully. Together, text and art are a happy exercise in harmony to delight readers' ears and eyes. Following the story, readers will find back matter offering more details on Rollins' life, beliefs, and music, as well as the Williamsburg Bridge."—Booklist, starred review

* "The harmony represented on the page...is also reflected in the harmony between the poetic text and the artistic images: Both show an African American man who finds peace on his own terms, in his own space, doing what he is meant to do...Ransome's illustrations convey character, mood and setting to great effect, matching the spare, effective text with energy and vibrancy that tempt readers to seek out Rollins' sound. This meditation on music, art, and integrity offers inspiration and food for thought. This loving tribute is a generous introduction to a figure worth knowing."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review