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Sweet Child o' Mine
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Picture Books (2020)She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories...
The first and only picture-book interpretation of Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine" lyrics, inspired by the adventures of Maya and Natalia Rose, two young girls who have grown up touring with the band!
With evocative, sweeping paintings from artist Jennifer Zivoin, Sweet Child O' Mine celebrates love and music, and how they bring us together in the sweetest ways.
Reminds me of childhood memories...
The first and only picture-book interpretation of Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine" lyrics, inspired by the adventures of Maya and Natalia Rose, two young girls who have grown up touring with the band!
With evocative, sweeping paintings from artist Jennifer Zivoin, Sweet Child O' Mine celebrates love and music, and how they bring us together in the sweetest ways.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
January 30, 2021
Beautiful illustrations using the song lyrics of "Sweet Child o' Mine" about a Father/ Daughter relationship. It's difficult to read this and not hear that twang in Axel's voice as he sings rain. I guess I couldn't do it at all. This takes the song and interrupts it in a pure and innocent setting.
The father looks similar to Axel and its easy to think that Jennifer made this an Ode to the Song.
The artwork is lovely. The settings are farms, fairs, gardens and playgrounds. It would make great cinematography. I thought the book was well done. If I could still read this to the kids, I would then play them the song. The song is not quite as sweet as this story with the rosy pictures. The song has an edge to it. Still, it's a great song.
I remember when Guns n' Roses hit the scene. I was in 8th grade and I mean, it was overnight. All the sudden everyone was showing up with tee-shirts and art about Guns n' Roses and I was like, what is all this about? It took me some time to catch up to the craze. They went to Memphis to do a show and several of the kids went. It was a school night and the drive was like an hour and a half there or back and I remember thinking, why would they do that on a school night? They would be so tired at school (of course they didn't care about that). Plus, they seemed rather young to go to a concert like that, but it's all anyone could talk about. Now you can all see how uncool I was back then. I caught up eventually. I was singing show tunes and Disney songs, so that's where I was.
The father looks similar to Axel and its easy to think that Jennifer made this an Ode to the Song.
The artwork is lovely. The settings are farms, fairs, gardens and playgrounds. It would make great cinematography. I thought the book was well done. If I could still read this to the kids, I would then play them the song. The song is not quite as sweet as this story with the rosy pictures. The song has an edge to it. Still, it's a great song.
I remember when Guns n' Roses hit the scene. I was in 8th grade and I mean, it was overnight. All the sudden everyone was showing up with tee-shirts and art about Guns n' Roses and I was like, what is all this about? It took me some time to catch up to the craze. They went to Memphis to do a show and several of the kids went. It was a school night and the drive was like an hour and a half there or back and I remember thinking, why would they do that on a school night? They would be so tired at school (of course they didn't care about that). Plus, they seemed rather young to go to a concert like that, but it's all anyone could talk about. Now you can all see how uncool I was back then. I caught up eventually. I was singing show tunes and Disney songs, so that's where I was.
November 8, 2020
Annual Goodreads Choice Awards reading project: Read all the Picture Book nominees! (8 of 15)
Well, this is about as sweet a story as you could make from a Guns N' Roses song. Frankly, Axl's voice is just synonymous with debauchery for me, so it's hard to shift gears and accept the loving daddy/daughter relationship shown here.
This reminds me that I saw board books at the library for bands like Guns N' Roses and Kiss. And apparently Twisted Sister has a picture book too for "We're Not Gonna Take It." I'm not sure hard rock bands being repackaged for toddlers is a good trend -- for the kids or the bands.
Well, this is about as sweet a story as you could make from a Guns N' Roses song. Frankly, Axl's voice is just synonymous with debauchery for me, so it's hard to shift gears and accept the loving daddy/daughter relationship shown here.
This reminds me that I saw board books at the library for bands like Guns N' Roses and Kiss. And apparently Twisted Sister has a picture book too for "We're Not Gonna Take It." I'm not sure hard rock bands being repackaged for toddlers is a good trend -- for the kids or the bands.
December 24, 2020
Each year my family reads all the Goodreads-award-nominated picture books. Sweet Child of Mine, written by (rock and roll stars) Guns and Roses and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin is book #19 (of 20) of 2020. It’s a song by Guns 'N' Roses which may be about Axl Rose’s daughter and how much he loves her, a very popular song that the publishers say is “one of the greatest reflections of love ever created.”
Hank (14): 3 stars. I liked the art better than the words.
Harry (16): 3 stars. My first instinct when I was reading this was that you could sing to it. Then my Dad told me that it was a song by Guns ‘N’ Roses! [that moment when your sixteen year old kid reveals that he has never heard of Guns 'N' Roses, but that's a joke, since I have never played their music once in this truthfully]
Tara: 3 stars. Kind of sweet.
Dave: 2.5 stars. Vanilla art, kind of sweet; if you are a fan of the group it looks like it is the story of rock star dad adoring his daughter, but it is a father-daughter book. I am too old to actually know what this song sounds like, wasn’t a fan when they came into superstardom, but I didn’t think it is a great set of lyrics. It may indeed be a great song, I dunno. Don’t hate me, fans, but I thought the publisher was kind of overselling the song in that quote above, though all fans with kids (who are soon to become grandparents) will have to own it.
Hank (14): 3 stars. I liked the art better than the words.
Harry (16): 3 stars. My first instinct when I was reading this was that you could sing to it. Then my Dad told me that it was a song by Guns ‘N’ Roses! [that moment when your sixteen year old kid reveals that he has never heard of Guns 'N' Roses, but that's a joke, since I have never played their music once in this truthfully]
Tara: 3 stars. Kind of sweet.
Dave: 2.5 stars. Vanilla art, kind of sweet; if you are a fan of the group it looks like it is the story of rock star dad adoring his daughter, but it is a father-daughter book. I am too old to actually know what this song sounds like, wasn’t a fan when they came into superstardom, but I didn’t think it is a great set of lyrics. It may indeed be a great song, I dunno. Don’t hate me, fans, but I thought the publisher was kind of overselling the song in that quote above, though all fans with kids (who are soon to become grandparents) will have to own it.
October 21, 2020
LOOK! what I found. A picture book for kids by Guns N’ Roses!
The lyrics of Sweet Child O’ Mine take on a whole new meaning and look here. We see a sweet little girl and her parents move through a day with blue skies and rain and smiles and sadness. Through it all, love and music are there. Always there to comfort and support.
A sweet story filled with sweet, soft pictures.
Maybe a little too sweet for me, but please check it out from your local Library. It’s a hoot to see Guns N’ Roses on the bookshelves for kids to read.
August 28, 2020
The illustrations in this children's book has my heart AND I love this song so while marking this as book "READ" might be a bit of a cheat because it was so easy and fast and not a real story, I am adding it anyway because it deserves a TON of love!
September 1, 2020
I'm so glad someone made a children's book with the lyrics to this song. When my daughter was little this was our song. I wish we could have had this book then.
January 17, 2021
"She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories...
The first and only picture-book interpretation of Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine" lyrics, inspired by the adventures of Maya and Natalia Rose, two young girls who have grown up touring with the band!"
Reminds me of childhood memories...
The first and only picture-book interpretation of Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine" lyrics, inspired by the adventures of Maya and Natalia Rose, two young girls who have grown up touring with the band!"
November 14, 2020
Such a lovely book.
Fantastic illustrations accompanying the lyrics of the song.
Its impossible to just read without singing .
I thought this would make a lovely book for my children but in reality its for myself .
Fantastic illustrations accompanying the lyrics of the song.
Its impossible to just read without singing .
I thought this would make a lovely book for my children but in reality its for myself .
November 28, 2020
This is pretty much the only experience I have with Guns N' Roses, but this was really sweet and made me want to check out the song.
December 28, 2020
Super cute illustrations to go along with a text many adults will be familiar with.
October 2, 2020
Reviewing as a part of my Fall 2020 kids' books reviews!
Aside from making an illustrated lyrics of GNR's now classic anthem, this book shows a story of a gentle and young family in a small town as father, daughter, and later mother, explore the town and all the music and love and joy within. It's really sweet.
For anyone who doesn't know the story of Maya and Natalia Rose, there's a good article that generally reviews it.
Hardcover from my place of work, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida.
Aside from making an illustrated lyrics of GNR's now classic anthem, this book shows a story of a gentle and young family in a small town as father, daughter, and later mother, explore the town and all the music and love and joy within. It's really sweet.
For anyone who doesn't know the story of Maya and Natalia Rose, there's a good article that generally reviews it.
Hardcover from my place of work, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida.
January 26, 2021
NOPE. Sweet illustrations... sort of. But the whole thing is too creepy and makes the song run through my head endlessly, heavy emphasis on the wailing Axl Rose voice. The fact that the song was written about a girlfriend/love interest in the first place makes it wildly inappropriate to twist it into something about one's own beloved child and I can't get past that hurdle. I'll add this one to the NO ONE ASKED FOR THIS SONG TO BE MADE INTO A PICTURE BOOK pile... which is, sadly, quite towering at this point.
October 28, 2020
It’s a picture book based on the Gun & Roses song of the same title. It features a young girl and two adults. I assume they are a family. It’s based on lyrics so it doesn’t make the most sense but the illustrations are lovely.
September 12, 2020
Beautiful
January 17, 2021
You know Axl Rose wrote this song about his young girlfriend at the time, right? Not his daughter? I wasn't interested in this at all, but it made it onto the list of Goodreads Choice nominations, so I figured I'd give it a try. But, I can't, y'all. I can't take this seriously.
December 22, 2020
I don't read kids books normally due to the fact I do not have children. I did got two friends who do have small kids and when the parents either read it to them at bedtime or taught to read, the kids enjoyed the story.
December 18, 2020
Sweet. I liked the pictures.
December 19, 2020
I think this book is great in concept (I would like to see more based on songs) and would make for a fun musical storytime. The illustrations are noteworthy for their color and animation-style movement. The page spreads are vibrant, well-balanced and a simple message of love comes through in the lyrics from the Guns N' Roses song. Unfortunately, however, the characters are a little too uncanny-valley for me.
December 7, 2020
GNR is one of the contributors to the soundtrack of my life. I will never forget the first time I heard this song and how it made me feel. Well, this book gives me the same feels. The illustrations are simply perfect!!! Thank you GNR for making this book and introducing your beautiful lyrics to children.
September 29, 2020
Great illustrations, but definitely one for diehard fans.
October 27, 2020
This was such a short nice read. The pictures were amazing.
November 11, 2020
I felt that the story and the illustrations were telling two different stories. I preferred the illustrations.
December 8, 2021
The paintings in this book are breathtaking!
Highly recommended to everyone.
Highly recommended to everyone.
January 29, 2021
I always loved this song, especially slowed down versions. However, I was a bit skeptical of how Guns N' Roses would translate into a children's picture book. I had to search like hell to finally find this book but I have finally read it!
I must say, Sweet Child o' Mine was really beautifully done. The illustrations were gorgeous and carried a lot of emotions through their imagery. It was really just a sweet and beautiful book... The drawings carried more of the story then the lyrics did which, in the end, just worked wonderfully.
I must say, Sweet Child o' Mine was really beautifully done. The illustrations were gorgeous and carried a lot of emotions through their imagery. It was really just a sweet and beautiful book... The drawings carried more of the story then the lyrics did which, in the end, just worked wonderfully.
June 10, 2021
A very sweetly illustrated picture book that does match a straight reading of the text; however, it is a rather strange sensation to read through this book while having the original song and Axl Rose's vocals as the primary context for the lyrics in your mind.
January 13, 2021
Based off the the band's number one single, this children's book will satisfy any GnR fan. Each page records a lyric paired with a lighthearted and colorful image reimagining the song into a warmhearted story between child and parent. This is a neat idea and the team did a great job carrying it through.
March 17, 2021
You read the title and author correctly. This is a beautifully illustrated book with the lyrics of the song that we loved to rock out to in the late 80s. My kids got a kick out of watching the video while following along in the book.
December 18, 2020
I absolutely adored the cover of this book when I first laid eyes upon it. This song has tons of memories attached to it and I couldn’t wait to read it. Picking it up from the library, I sat inside my car, reading and singing the words to myself, as I looked through the pages before driving home. What a great tribute to a fantastic song as this child reminds us that music is everywhere around us.
The energy that this book projects is powerful as the young girl hangs out with her father. The sights and sounds of the world around her, spin out on the page from the windchimes, to the bees and butterflies on the flowers. She’s enjoying the open countryside with her father until a storm whips up nearby. They find refuge at a market that is having a music festival where they can forget their troubles for a while. The storm passes as the song continues, the pages are turning and “Where do we go? Where do we go now?” becomes the question as they head outside to finish out their day. With fantastic illustrations and the text, that will leave you singing their song in your head, this book is one that you’ll need to check out. Thank you Guns n’ Roses, for taking me there, I really enjoyed it. 5 stars
The energy that this book projects is powerful as the young girl hangs out with her father. The sights and sounds of the world around her, spin out on the page from the windchimes, to the bees and butterflies on the flowers. She’s enjoying the open countryside with her father until a storm whips up nearby. They find refuge at a market that is having a music festival where they can forget their troubles for a while. The storm passes as the song continues, the pages are turning and “Where do we go? Where do we go now?” becomes the question as they head outside to finish out their day. With fantastic illustrations and the text, that will leave you singing their song in your head, this book is one that you’ll need to check out. Thank you Guns n’ Roses, for taking me there, I really enjoyed it. 5 stars
March 4, 2021
Loved this book. But I sang it instead of read it...lol
November 18, 2020
"Sweet Child O' Mine" follows a single father and his daughter as she discovers music is everywhere. The words are the lyrics of the popular song of the same name by Guns N' Roses, and the story is also based on two young girls who would often tour with the band.
Nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards Best Picture Book of 2020
Nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards Best Picture Book of 2020
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews