Shake Rag

Author: Amy Littlesugar, with illustrations by Floyd Cooper

Published in hardback by Philomel Books

ISBN 0-399-23005-X

It is difficult to find a book about Elvis that is truly original in concept and execution. "Shake Rag" is certainly just that!

Author Amy Littlesugar has long been intrigued by the stories of the alienation that Elvis felt as a youngster. She has successfully translated her intrigue into this aspect of Elvis's life into this very special book for children.

Special, indeed, firstly because of the way that Littlesugar has focussed on a relatively brief period of Elvis's childhood -- about the time when he was 11 to 13 years of age -- and within that period, upon the various musical influences that were to play a role in his development: the different styles he was able to hear on the radio, especially Blues, and, in particular, that of the Sanctified Church, a travelling gospel mission.

And special, too, for the page-by-page oil-wash paintings by Floyd Cooper, which are used to illustrate the story and which are full of atmosphere.

As a sort of epilogue, Littlesugar jumps briefly to "one summer day" in 1954, when a disappointed and frustrated Elvis takes a break after having sung one song after another in the Sun studio, without apparent success. During the break he starts singing again and, as Littlesugar puts it, "It was the start of a brand-new day."

Don't look at this book for a detailed, accurate history of Elvis's childhood. Rather, it is an unusual story, attractively packaged for children, and aimed probably at the American market, but whose moral undertones of racial harmony are meaningful for all ages, the world over.

I'm glad I bought it.

David Neale

Copyright July 1999

Return to previous page