NONFICTION

Legends of Hip-Hop: Kid ‘n Play: A Rhyme Time Biography

by Pen Ken (text) & illus. by Saxton Moore
HarperCollins. Oct. 2025. 24p. Board $9.99. ISBN 9780063234314. Gr 1-2
COPY ISBN
Gr 1-2–Chibi bodies (small frames, large heads, big eyes) show Christopher from the Bronx and Christopher from Queens, meeting for the first time and within a couple of lines (“they spit rhymes and and spread love the New York way”) a new hip-hop group is formed: the Fresh Force Crew. By the next spread, their hi-top fades on full display, they rename themselves Kid ‘n Play and become forces for positive messages in the lyrics. In short order they star in comic books and Saturday cartoons, movies, too! These two really are legends, and parents and children are bound to bond over this one.
VERDICT Beyond bold illustrations and pitch-perfect rhythm make this bio-book a great pick for the shelves.
Reviewed by Kimberly Olson Fakih , Oct 01, 2025

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