Both Sides Now: A Story about Young Joni Mitchell

Description:

Dive into the childhood of the legendary singer, songwriter, and performer Joni Mitchell.

Joni Mitchell is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer whose music has touched generation after generation. Her millions of fans are accustomed to seeing her with a guitar in hand, mesmerizing crowds of festival-goers and music-lovers alike. But now it's time to introduce readers to a new side of Joni, from before the fame and widespread adoration.

Get ready to explore Joni's childhood, growing up in small towns on the vast Canadian prairie. As a young girl she fell seriously ill with polio. However, like all great artists, this setback was unable to extinguish the creative flame in Joni's spirit. With unmatched determination and stubborn perseverance, Joni not only gets back on her feet but finds new passions to pursue. From painter to poet to songwriter--this is Joni Mitchell's story as a young girl and the childhood experiences that shaped her.

Brief description: Lydia Corry attended the Royal College of Art and has been a devoted illustrator ever since. She specializes in watercolor, ink, and gouache. Her work includes Caroline L. Perry's The Corgi and the Queen, and the Tindims series created with her mother, Sally Gardner.

Review Quotes:

"A splendidly illustrated tribute that at once reveals Joni Mitchell's inspirations and is inspirational in itself." --Booklist (starred review)

"Corry's innovative paneling, colorful spot art, and lively illustrations reminiscent of classic picture books from the 1940s and 1950s demonstrate her skills with graphic storytelling; readers will come away with an appreciation of Mitchell's perseverance, creativity, and independence." --Horn Book

"Corry's watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil artwork gestures gently toward Mitchell's iconic album imagery, contrasting monochrome prairiescapes and psychedelic creative explosions to great effect. Readers previously familiar with Joni will tune right in and deeply appreciate textual and visual references to her work, while those less aware of her creative catalog will be intrigued by her quirky insistence." --Kirkus