The Purple One: A Story of Prince

From award-winning author Matthew Burgess and debut illustrator Sirin Thada, a picture book biography of music icon Prince, from childhood to superstardom, that crackles with electricity and soul

Prince is remembered as one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time. But before he achieved global superstardom, he was a child growing up in Minneapolis, with a universe of music inside him. From his first forays into writing songs with his school friends to his unprecedented three-album record deal at 19, and his surprise hit film Purple Rain to performing at the Super Bowl, Prince was never afraid to blaze his own trail--creating something entirely new, entirely free, and entirely PRINCE that would shape music and culture and resonate with audiences for generations to come.

Author: Matthew Burgess
Publisher: Enchanted Lion
Published: 11/19/2024
Pages: 68
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.63lbs
Size: 12.72h x 10.14w x 0.53d
ISBN: 9781592704224
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/24/2024
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2024
Booklist 10/15/2024 pg. 48
School Library Journal 12/01/2024 pg. 131
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2025 pg. 99

About the Author

Matthew Burgess is a poet, professor, and children's book author. He teaches at Brooklyn College and is a teaching artist in New York City public schools. He is also the author of, among other titles, Enormous Smallness: A Story of E.E. Cummings; Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring; Make Meatballs Sing: The Life & Art of Corita Kent; and Sylvester's Letter. He lives with his husband in Brooklyn and Berlin.

The daughter of Thai immigrants, Sirin Thada was born and raised in Baltimore, and has been making art since childhood. Most recently, she was the in-house illustrator for Catapult magazine, and has been published in the Washington Post, Guardian, TIME magazine, and more. She currently lives and works in NYC along with her husband, scientific artist Jason Brougham, and their adorable rescue pup, Indie. The Purple One is her picture book debut.