Beatles book leads readers on musical trip best for older kids

Ever since you were born, you've loved music.

Your mother tells stories of you bopping in your crib, baby-dancing to songs on the radio. You can't remember a day without music, and you want to be a singer or play in a band someday. And as you'll see in "Fab Four Friends" by Susanna Reich, illustrated by Adam Gustavson, dreams can come true.

John Lennon loved his mother but, alas, he didn't get to see her much. When he was 5 years old, his parents split, and Mum left John with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George. Missing her greatly, he threw his energies into a cheap guitar she'd bought for him. Aunt Mimi said he'd never make a living with it, but "John didn't believe her."

Music was important in Paul McCartney's life, too.

It "flowed through every room" in the house where he lived with his father, who taught Paul everything about chords and instruments. When Paul met John, they became friends because they both loved music so much — which included their guitars!

Another boy who enjoyed the guitar was George Harrison.

Though he was younger than John and Paul, George loved rock 'n' roll, too. He also had a good ear and could play a song after hearing it only a few times on the radio. John, who was more than two years older than George, didn't think much of the kid … until George took out his guitar and started strumming. John was impressed and invited George to join their group, The Quarrymen. Later, they called themselves The Beatles.

It was rough in those early years. John's mum died in an accident, the boys "scrounged for work," and money was tight. The lads started arguing over silly things.

But then it got better. People started flocking to clubs where the boys played, and someone started a fan club. John, Paul and George hired a manager, who began looking at record companies. But something was missing.

Richard Starkey's hands were always tapping, always moving. Richey loved the drums, and he was known around Liverpool for being "tops."

Having him as a Beatle made perfect sense.

To an adult, it might seem like Yesterday since the Beatles reigned on radio and record. You just heard one of their songs in an elevator. But will your child understand what's inside "Fab Four Friends"?

That's a question I had, as I was reading this gorgeously illustrated, well-researched book. It's been, after all, decades since John, Paul, George and Ringo released a song together. John Lennon, in fact, has been gone for more than a generation. Reich teases readers with little-known facts, but will kids care? Will they see the significance of Gustavson's artwork? Meant for little kids, will this books' wordiness lose their interest?

I think so, which is why I highly recommend it for older kids and adult Beatles fans. Small children won't be able to Come Together for "Fab Four Friends," but older readers will want to hold it in their hands.

View publishes Terri Schlichenmeyer's reviews of books for children weekly.