Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide A-Z Volume 2 is a vibrant, engaging tribute to the incredible Black artists who shaped music, literature, dance, theater, and more in the 20th century. From legendary figures like Billie Holiday to game-changing pioneers like Grandmaster Flash, this book captures their brilliance in a way that's both fun and educational. The lively, lyrical writing kept me hooked, making history feel fresh and exciting. I loved how it introduced me to artists I hadn’t heard of before, making me appreciate their impact even more. Whether you’re young or just young at heart, this book is a great read!

Very good book for children showcasing various artists and their contribution to the arts. Easy to read and understand. I think children will like this book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest thoughts. Receiving the book in this manner had no impact on my review.

Listen up, cool kids (and cool grown-ups)! If you’re not reading Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide A-Z Volume 2, you’re seriously missing out! This book is like a VIP backstage pass to the greatest Black artists of the last century—singers, dancers, poets, and even a legendary chef (yes, food is art too!). It’s fast, fun, and packed with surprises—like, who knew Thelonious Monk was THAT cool? It’s not just a book; it’s a celebration, a history lesson, and a jam session all in one. Read it, love it, pass it on!h 🎶🎨🔥

From early twentieth century jazz phenoms like Billie Holiday, to brilliant choreographers like Alvin Ailey, Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide A-Z Volume 2 honors the African American creatives who followed their hearts, succeeded against all odds, and left legacies and works of art that will inspire countless generations to come.

Through vibrant lyrical text, Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide A-Z Volume 2 is a continued celebration of the myriad of accomplishments by the best-of-the best and the coolest-of-the-cool Black artists of the twentieth century. As a follow up to Black Artists Rock! The Cool Kids' Guide A-Z, this second volume continues its artfully curated portrayals of extraordinary Black artists in music, literature, theater, dance and much more. Highlighting groundbreaking achievements, Black Artists Rock! Vol.2 offers both little-known facts about household names (Alvin Ailey, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder), as well as key introductions to overlooked pioneers (Thelonious Monk, Chef Leah Chase, Grandmaster Flash). This book will delight, educate and inspire readers of all ages!

By the time I received this book for review it had already been published. As a consequence, I will focus my review on who might use this book and how it might be utilized. This book is an artistic representation of Black artists with pippy summaries of who they are or achieved. While these summaries carry some facts, I would not use this as a reference for a scholarly project like a report for Black History. I think the best use of this book is as an introduction for elementary students of Black artists- a way to help them to identify whom to conduct further research on. An important note on the art: the illustrations corresponding with each artist is an interpretation of what they achieved or a hallmark of their appearance- it is not a representation of their actual likeness. This differentiation is noted so that younger readers understand that these are real people whom they may resemble or see in their families or communities. I conclude by saying that the selection of artists in this volume was great, and I think that this is the best accolade I can give it.