'Move The Crowd'
By: Eric Barrier, William Griffin - Lyric Pop/Akashic Books, $16.95
Description: Innovative illustrator Kirk Parrish brings the iconic song 'Move the Crowd' to life for the first time as a children’s picture book.
The lyrics to Eric B. and Rakim’s hit song provide the inspiration for this instant classic.
Verdict: Targeted at an age range of 5-7 year-old's and running at a lush 32 pages, this magnificent, colorful, vibrantly illustrated and harmoniously told (through Eric B. & Rakim's classic) story is presented in 8.5"x8.5" glossy hardback book.
Featuring lyrics from songs that you would normally only ever hear on the radio, or coming out of the speakers of a record player (or, these days, computer, iPhone, etc.), each song (within the series) is a pocket of storytelling that spring forth to enlighten the mind or embrace the heart.
From the off, we eagerly follow along as Parrish pairs the lyrics with colorful illustrations about a boy being absorbed into his stereo and dropped into a colorless world where the music is dull and the people uninspired.
The ensuing transformation he brings to the crowd with his music is one that the whole family can enjoy together.
Here, and with the gorgeous, yet subtle illustrations from Parrish highlighting the subtle, and less subtle nuances of the lyrics just perfectly, and all using some expertly chosen colors schemes, 'Move The Crowd' as a children's picture book' is truly as wondrous as it sounds.
Inspiring young readers to try their own hands at creativity, and to listen to the works of others for inspiration, the best way to view Parrish's artwork, to my mind, and given the musical subjects, of course, is as if these wonderful drawings were a cultured version of graffiti.
About the Authors - Eric B. & Rakim are an American hip hop duo formed in Long Island, New York, in 1986, composed of DJ Eric B. (born Eric Barrier) and MC Rakim (born William Michael Griffin Jr.).
AllMusic wrote that "during rap's so-called golden age in the late '80s, Eric B. & Rakim were almost universally recognized as the premier DJ/MC team in all of hip-hop."
Tom Terrell of NPR called them "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period."
The editors of About.com ranked them as No. 5 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time, and Rolling Stone ranked them No. 5 on its list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time.
Kirk Parrish grew up on a little island just outside of Seattle. As a youngster, he developed a fondness for scribbling caped superheroes and yearned to one day become a grand-master ninja.
Today, Parrish has (mostly) put down his ninja aspirations and is an illustrator and designer, currently based in Seattle.
Official Book Purchase Link
www.AkashicBooks.com