The Purple One: A Story of Prince

By Matthew Burgess * Pictures by Sirin Thada

Enchanted Lion Books * November 2024 * Available for ORDER

ISBN: 978-1-59270-422-4 • 68 pages

Prince is remembered as one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time. But before he achieved global superstardom, he was a child growing up in Minneapolis, with a universe of music inside him. From his first forays into writing songs with his school friends to his unprecedented three-album record deal at 19, and his surprise hit film Purple Rain to performing at the Super Bowl, Prince was never afraid to blaze his own trail—creating something entirely new, entirely free, and entirely PRINCE that would shape music and culture and resonate with audiences for generations to come.

★ "In this oversized and luminous tribute to Prince, Burgess tells the comprehensive story of a multi-talented icon, from childhood to worldwide fame. Prince led a complicated life and a selective retelling, with emphasis on his singularity, persistence, and musical gifts feels like the right decision... Sirin Thada’s full-page, watercolor illustrations tell an engrossing and creative tale, even without the text. Filled with bold colors (purple is a recurring element), they also embrace unconventional perspectives while providing a realistic look at Prince’s life... These touches will make the story come alive, even for kids who are new to Prince’s music... There’s a lot of adult Prince fans out there who will thrill at the chance to share his talent with their kids... His story will be an inspiration to music lovers of all ages." —Youth Services Book Review (STARRED REVIEW)

“A fascinating and vivid picture book biography of music icon Prince. The work traces his journey from childhood to superstardom with an electric narrative. Dynamic… Readers may or may not know of Prince, but they will love discovering a person who forged a unique path to superstardom and created a distinctive style that reshaped music and culture. VERDICT: For music collections, biography, or even Americana, this book lends itself to story hours and certainly as an icebreaker for conversations on style, substance, and marching to the beat of a different drummer.” —School LIbrary Journal

"A salute to a musical genius with a uniquely independent spirit... Prince’s meteoric career offers an example that will entice readers with big, creative dreams of their own. A soaring drive to inspire, with appropriately hued art and prose." —Kirkus Reviews

“Burgess employs brief anecdotes to detail Prince’s personality and arc toward stardom... What comes through is Prince’s hard work and creative vision... In Thada’s colorblock shapes and velvety textures, a memorable closing spread depicts Prince as a child sitting on pillows atop a piano bench, across the gutter from an adult Prince playing for a packed-out crowd—connecting Prince’s adulthood with his childhood as a ‘small kid with enormous talent.’” —Publishers Weekly

"[A] glowing picture-book biography of the iconic Prince Nelson Rogers aka The Purple One aka The Artist aka Ƭ̵̬̊  aka Prince... A vibrant story that will inspire young artists and music historians." —Booklist