SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK STAR

The title strikes the right note, landing somewhere between a taunt and an invitation. Those intrigued will be rewarded by a wicked good time created by new picture-book partners Vernick and Edmunds.

Getting the autograph of a studded-leather-jacket–clad rocker with an impressively spiky Mohawk wows an enthusiastic blond-haired boy and his older brunette sister. As they sit in their room drawing pictures and imagining all the amazing things rock stars get to do, the author poses them such questions as, “Do you have an awesome sound system with cordless microphone?” Each question initially flummoxes the twosome, but the text guides them (and readers) in what to do: “Well, can you make your hand into a fist and sing into that? Try it.” Pencil-and–digitally painted illustrations portraying an air-guitar performance and choreography for the multigenerational family back-up dancers truly amp up the fun. Kids will giggle with grown-ups at the appropriately over-the-top plans for super-stardom (a TV show, a “you-movie” and a theme song) that are consistently translated into actions younger ones can practice or participate in.

Great for a rocking storytime and budding performers of all kinds, while quieter audience members can sit back and enjoy the show or get lost in the many colorfully designed guitar picks on the endpapers. Encore! (Picture book. 4-7)