Yellow Dog Blues

A lyrical road trip through the Mississippi Delta, exploring the landmarks that shaped one of America’s most beloved musical traditions.

The Children’s Books Committee of Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year List - Folklore and Fairy Tales; Outstanding Merit (2023)

American Library Association Notable Children's Books List (2023)

Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of the Year List (2022)

The New York Times New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2022)

PubWest Bronze Book Design Award in Children’s/Young Adult (2022)

One morning Bo Willie finds the doghouse empty and the gate wide open! Farmer Fred says Yellow Dog hit Highway 61 and started running. Aunt Jessie picks up Bo Willie in her pink Cadillac, and together they look for his missing puppy love. Their search leads them from juke joints to tamale stands to streets ringing with the music of B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Where, where did that Yellow Dog go?

Acclaimed creators Alice Faye Duncan and Chris Raschka present a boogie-woogie journey along the Mississippi Blues Trail. With swinging free verse and stunning hand-stitched art, Yellow Dog Blues is a soulful fable about what happens when the blues grabs you and holds on tight.

Praise

"Like listening to a blues record while wrapped up in a homemade quilt sipping sweet tea."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

The Horn Book Magazine

"A mix of cross-stitching and patches of fabric that makes readers feel cozy and comforted."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

"A mix of cross-stitching and patches of fabric that makes readers feel cozy and comforted."

School Library Journal

Yellow Dog Blues

Lesson Plan

Praise

"Like listening to a blues record while wrapped up in a homemade quilt sipping sweet tea."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

"A mix of cross-stitching and patches of fabric that makes readers feel cozy and comforted."

"This simple introduction to blues history tells a universal story of loss to which many kids will relate."

"A mix of cross-stitching and patches of fabric that makes readers feel cozy and comforted."

"Duncan’s writing is the stuff of bluesy poetry."

"Duncan’s writing is the stuff of bluesy poetry."

"A mix of cross-stitching and patches of fabric that makes readers feel cozy and comforted."

"A unique artistic exploration."

"Duncan’s writing is the stuff of bluesy poetry."

"A unique artistic exploration."

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