Forever Young
This illustrated version of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" is a great read for kids and a scavenger hunt for adults.
Hey, parents, it鈥檚 time to dust off your vinyl and take it for a spin. If you鈥檙e old enough to understand the intrigue of album cover art, you鈥檒l enjoy getting to know this children鈥檚 book version of Bob Dylan鈥檚 Forever Young, thoughtfully illustrated by Paul Rogers.
The words of the 1973 song echo the idealism of the early 鈥�60s. The lilt and rhyme of the text sound as soothing as 鈥淕oodnight Moon,鈥� offering up a peaceful retreat in the middle (or the end) of a hectic day. Written for his own son, Dylan鈥檚 lyrics ring like comforting proverbs with verses such as 鈥淢ay God bless and keep you always,/ May your wishes all come true, May you always do for others/ And let others do for you.鈥�
Earthy with bright ink and acrylics, loaded with nostalgia and historical-cultural imagery, Roger鈥檚 illustrations tell the story of a boy growing up with a stack of records and a guitar. The images include references to Dylan鈥檚 life and lyrics as well as to legendary folk singers and the New York folk-music scene of the 1960s.
The Illustrator鈥檚 Notes on the back pages give plenty of background for those unfamiliar with Dylan鈥檚 canon or the social history of the 鈥�60s, and Rogers suggests certain album tracks to listen to in relation to some pages.
His illustrations may inspire young readers to explore the poetry in the lyrics of this prolific songwriter or even plan a pilgrimage to New York City based on tidbits found here. (Can you really find the VW bus and Chevy still parked on Jones Street, as pictured on the album cover of 鈥淭he Freewheelin鈥� Bob Dylan鈥�? If so, please let me know.)
鈥淔orever Young鈥� has not an ounce of cynicism. Its references to current political and environmental concerns might make it unpalatable to some readers and its completely positive spin may seem Pollyanna-ish to others.
But amid the drone of pessimism in so much of contemporary literature, 鈥淔orever Young鈥� seems a refreshing voice, singing a new-old anthem of hope.
Enicia Fisher writes about children鈥檚 books.