(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. If ever there was a pop song whose uplifting sentiment suits a picture book, it's this Beatles classic. And if ever there was a pop song whose lyrics look inane in a picture book, it's this one ("Love, love, love...”, etc.). Still, the jubilant illustrations of a bear moved to good deeds by the sound of music delivers the message.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 In 1966, only Trudy and three nerds remain in Trudy's once-popular Beatles fan club. Amid unsettling changes--an aloof former best friend; a largely absent father; teasing about her full name, Gertrude--Trudy hopes her life will change from meeting Paul McCartney when the Beatles come to Boston. This detail-rich historical novel will resonate with today's tweens nurturing their own passions while dealing with shifting experiences.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Louisianan Analyn "Apple" Yengko is tired of being different; she's ashamed of her mother and her Filipina American heritage. Things get worse when she's put on the "Dog Log," a list of the middle school's ten ugliest girls. Thankfully, Apple's passion for music allows her to transform herself and take flight. Kelly sensitively explores issues of bullying and friendship in her solid debut.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Far from an overnight success, The Beatles were actually a long time in the making. Reich follows each musician before he was a Beatle, then shows how they came together. The story ends with the Fab Four still in England in 1963, before their "invasion" of America. Naturalistic oil illustrations capture band-members' personalities and fans' excitement, complementing the well-orchestrated text. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Legends of Rock series. These profiles describe how the rock bands developed, identify their high and low points, note the strengths and weaknesses of each member, and discuss their albums. The narratives are matter-of-factly written and largely chronological. Though burdened by an overly busy graphic design, the volumes are filled with color and black-and-white photos that will interest fans and rock-music enthusiasts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: Legends of Rock titles: U2 and The Beatles.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Sandler justifies his rather hyperbolic title in thirteen chapters that explore the Fab Four's influence on music, fashion, religion, and other cultural phenomena, as well as how they themselves were changed by their experiences as high-achieving celebrities. His treatment--accurate, if unfailingly laudatory and occasionally repetitious--is illustrated with numerous photos. A detailed U.S. discography chart is appended. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Krull and Brewer tell the story not just of international superstars but of friends who made one another laugh. Drawn with exaggerated features, the lads are all legs and bowl-cut hair, their ample noses serving to distinguish one from the others. Youngsters wondering why the band is still beloved by their parents and grandparents will understand after reading the humorous anecdotes. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2013

(1) YA Translated by Michael Waaler. In this quiet, atmospheric biographical graphic novel, Bellstorf depicts the brief, intense love affair between Astrid Kirchherr and Stuart Sutcliffe--the man known as "The Fifth Beatle." The illustrations' bleak mood befits both Hamburg's underground music scene and the couple's doomed relationship, but the seriousness does not undercut the authenticity or passion behind this real-life love affair.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2012

(4) 4-6 Innovators series. Beatles breaks no new ground while focusing on the band's formation, the Beatlemania years, and the group's ever-evolving musical style, briefly touching on its lasting influence. Branson explores the British entrepreneur's "brash and bold" personality. The texts are accessible but bland. Some photographs of the subjects add interest. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Innovators titles: The Beatles and Richard Branson.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these laudatory biographies provide overviews of the lives and careers of Johnny Depp and the Beatles. Readers will come away not only with a greater knowledge of the subjects, but also with an understanding of their places in their respective industries. Relevant images and engaging sidebars enhance the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Johnny Depp and The Beatles.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA Sixteen-year-old Regina wishes her band, the Caverns, was as famous as the Beatles. And with the help of a computer-literate fairy godmother, the Caverns actually take the place of the Beatles. Regina loves the limelight but ultimately decides to create her own fame. Leaky fantasy elements notwithstanding, this story of wish fulfillment will appeal to teens who love the celebrity pop scene.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 What in the World? series. The story behind the Beatles' groundbreaking Sgt. Pepper album is touched on in the final third of the book, which begins with a political history of the 1960s and an overview of the band's early years. The many glossy photographs and sidebars (some unrelated) round out the time period but also distract from the main subject. Small font is off-putting. Timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) 4-6 Spitz uses material from his adult biography to dramatically tell the story of the Fab Four, from the day in 1957 when John met Paul to superstardom to the official breakup of the band. Intimate black-and-white photos, quotes (uncited), sidebars, and trivia contribute to a lively portrait of what the Beatles, at their inception, really were--teenagers. A discography is included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Bryan Collier. This ambitious picture book reveals plenty of research and an affinity for the subject. The text describes pivotal moments in Lennon's life, interspersing lines from his songs in larger colored type. Collier's collage art is full of motion, with some psychedelic sixties colors added to the predominant brown. Appended with a list of important dates, a selected discography, and selected research sources.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2004

(4) 4-6 Famous Lives series. Effectively integrating historical context into the discussion, these biographies present an overview of each subject's life and notable contributions. The large format includes photos, archival reproductions, and a spacious layout, making the books accessible and easy to read. The quality of the writing is uneven, but readers will gain a basic appreciation of these important figures in history. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Famous Lives titles: Florence Nightingale, Gandhi, The Dalai Lama, and John Lennon.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though centuries may separate the subjects of the volumes in this series, all have played prominent political or cultural roles. Their life stories are relayed in sometimes rushed prose, but these books will make acceptable starting points for those seeking basic biographical information. The texts are accompanied by average-quality photos and historical reproductions in black and white and in color. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, Oprah Winfrey, George W. Bush, The Beatles, Benjamin Franklin.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta