Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World

By Kim Tomsic and Brett Helquist

The story of Les Paul—tinkerer, inventor, and rock and roll legend: “An exuberant introduction to a musician and creative genius.”—Kirkus Reviews
 
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
 
A beautifully-illustrated true story of rock and roll legend Les Paul: This is the story of how Les Paul created the world’s first solid-body electric guitar, countless other inventions that changed modern music, and one truly epic career in rock and roll. How to make a microphone? A broomstick, a cinderblock, a telephone, a radio. How to make an electric guitar? A record player's arm, a speaker, some tape. How to make a legendary inventor? A few tools, a lot of curiosity, and an endless faith in what is possible. This unforgettable biography, with pictures by a New York Times–bestselling children’s book illustrator, will resonate with inventive readers young and old.
 
“Les Paul was an innovator and musical force for the ages—he changed the world in a very real way. His story is a lesson from which kids of all ages can derive inspiration.” —Billy Gibbons, lead guitarist of ZZ Top
 
“Delightfully told . . . Text and illustrations radiate exuberance and joy. Readers will marvel at the perseverance and ingenuity Paul demonstrated throughout his life . . . An excellent choice for STEM programs.” —School Library Journal

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Apr 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781452176031

Kim Tomsic

Kim Tomsic has been the new girl at eight different schools, where she earned a variety of conflicting labels: the dork, the cool kid; the pretty girl, the ugly girl; the smart kid, the normal kid; the worst at sports, decent at sports; and the shy girl, the talker. She kept one label: the talker. Kim now lives in Colorado with her husband, two children, and two dogs; all five keep her laughing. The 11:11 Wish is her first middle grade novel and is followed by The 12th Candle. Visit her at kimscritiquingcorner.blogspot.com.

Book preview

For Cayman Tomsic, my guitar hero—K. T.

For Woody, my guitar teacher—B. H.

Text copyright © 2019 by Kim Tomsic.

Illustrations copyright © 2019 by Brett Helquist.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Names: Tomsic, Kim, author. | Helquist, Brett, illustrator.

Title: Guitar genius : how Les Paul engineered the solid-body electric guitar and rocked the world / by Kim Tomsic ; illustrated by Brett Helquist.

Description: San Francisco, California : Chronicle Books, [2019] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017045870

ISBN 9781452159195 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-4521-7603-1 (epub2)

ISBN 978-1-4521-8018-2 (epub3)

ISBN 978-1-4521-8017-5(kindle)

Subjects: LCSH: Paul, Les—Juvenile literature. | Guitarists—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. | Inventors—United States—Biography— Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC ML3930.P29 T66 2019 | DDC 787.87092 [B] —dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017045870

Design by Ryan Hayes.

Typeset in ITC Century & Knockout.

The illustrations in this book were rendered in oil paint on watercolor paper.

Chronicle Books LLC

680 Second Street

San Francisco, California 94107

Chronicle Books—we

Reviews for Guitar Genius

[stephmward · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For every child who likes to tinker, the story of Les Paul is an incredibly in-depth biography about one of the greatest tinkerers of all time.

Guitar Genius takes readers on a life-long journey from a music-loving student who was told he had no talent to the popular musician and highly-respected guitar inventor that he became. The story highlights the perseverance, focus and passion that Les Paul brought to the one thing he loved, even in the face of discouragement and failure.

A fascinating read for any budding musician, especially one who loves guitars.

[sylliu_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lively biography of Les Paul and how is insatiable curiosity and musical talents led him to tinker and invent the solid body electric guitar. The language and pacing is lively and the the illustrations are energetic and engaging. An excellent picture book biography that hits all the right notes.