When the Beat Was Born written by Laback Carrick Hill and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III

Genre: Biography; Nonfiction

Age Group: 6-10 years old

Summary: Learn the story of. how the beats (of hip hop) hit the streets in the biographical tale of legendary DJ Kool Herc.

I was recommended this book by my children's librarian when l told them I was looking for an informational or biographical title that would keep me engaged. They suggested this title stating they greatly enjoyed it. I have to say that I can say the same I was fully enraptured by a book that has been named an ALA's Notable Children's Book. The rhythmic language and cool, simple imagery leaves the reader wanting more as they are taken through the history of DJ Kool Her and the birth of hip hop.

Review:

The style and language used to inform us of DJ Kool Herc’s story shows the influence of the era of the story taking place along with the influence of hip hop culture. The story is not laden with jargon to confuse or bore the reader. This can be seen when the book talks about DJ Herc’s hero King George “who threw the biggest and baddest house parties”, when he went to neighborhood house parties and listened to the “hottest tunes and danced like crazy” or the day his father bought a “monster sound system”. We are even given a taste of musicality and rhythm within this work when given examples of the toasts, chants and raps Herc would use while DJing. Including these in the story not only strengthens it but shows appreciation to DJ Kool Herc and showcases his influence on DJ and hip hop culture.

Taylor uses warm colors throughout the story to represent the vibrancy of the community in which DJ Kool Herc grew up. When looking throughout the story you’ll notice Taylor’s emphasis on the sound and music as the speakers throughout the story are shown with lightened teal, pointed abstract shapes coming from them. These shapes are to represent the monster sound of the music but I believe it also shows monster influence music had on DJ Kool Herc.

While the book is to be informational I found it to be fun with the inclusion of his toasts, chants and raps along with adding the phrase “Hip Hip Hop, Hippity Hop” at the end of passages. I also believe in the accuracy of the story as the author in his note discusses what influenced him to write this story while providing a time of hip hop history. This conveyed to me that Hill is type who will conduct their research to provide history in a lively concept.

Hill, L. C., & Taylor, T. (2013). When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop. Roaring Brook Press.