NONFICTION

Legends of Hip-Hop: Biggie Smalls: An Opposites Biography

by Pen Ken (text) & illus. by Saxton Moore
­HarperFestival. (Legends of Hip-Hop). Jun. 2024. 24p. Board $9.99. ISBN 9780063234307.
COPY ISBN
PreS-K–A biography for the tiniest readers about one of hip-hop’s biggest stars. The latest in the “Legends of Hip-Hop” series continues to make young children aware of hip-hop’s stars while introducing them to foundational concepts; perhaps because of that fabulous moniker, Biggie Smalls’s biography fittingly covers opposites. The book paints the musician’s story in broad strokes, discussing his road to stardom and impact on the music industry and pop culture without getting into his criminal activities or untimely death. Through simple sentences (one to a page), the author features opposites as a way to tell this story. The colorful, caricature-style drawings illustrate the opposites, giving adults and children the opportunity to engage with the concepts and discuss the differences.
VERDICT Recommended for libraries where biographies for younger children are popular.
Reviewed by Maria Bohan , May 01, 2024

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