Guitars Book Review

Guitars (Made By Hand)
By Patricia Lakin
Published by Aladdin Books, November 11, 2021

Review
Guitars gives an extensive overview of, well, guitars. From the development of the instrument over the centuries to modern craftsmen (including one notable Meredith Coloma) to the science behind electric guitars to famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix, the guitar's place in our world is firmly established.

Although this is marketed toward the middle grades, it is not inaccessible for a younger audience. T is sporadically learning guitar skills on a children's acoustic, and his dad is rebuilding his first electric guitar for T. What does this mean for his reading? That Guitars holds great appeal for a our 6-year-old. He learns about ancient Egyptian precursors to the modern instrument. He recognizes the parts of the guitar. He begins to understand the science behind electric guitars. He meets a luthier and follows her career in a male-dominated world. He experiments with simple instruments, following the directions in the book. He discusses different guitarists with his dad. To say that Guitars is engaging would be oversimplifying it. T was amazed by Hendrix's ability to play with his teeth and by how Van Halen kept two-hand tapping a secret.

I particularly like how straightforward the explanations of craftsmanship are. I also appreciate how a female luthier is featured throughout the book - given that the only female guitarists who come to mind are the members of the Slits, external examples of guitars being universally played is quite helpful. Top off the easy-to-understand text with crisp, full-color photographs and old black-and-white portraits, and you have a highly appealing book for any kid with musical leanings. Guitars is hands-down a cool book.

Note: A review copy was provided upon request, for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are our own.