The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy is Enlightening by Chris Raschka

The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy is Enlightening Reviews

• 
  Dave Schaafsma

  “Space is the place.”
  
  I saw Sun Ra (Herman Poole Blount, May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993) and his Arkestra in concert in the eighties two or three times. Experimental jazz, kind of crazy and mystical-seeming, at times, and other times just a good wild and talented Big (swing) Band. Sun Ra, "cosmic" philosopher, pioneer in Afrofuturism, eclectic, avant-garde musician, insisted he was born on Saturn. And/or he claims he was transported there as well in the thirties:
  
  “My whole body changed into something else. I could see through myself. And I went up.. . . I wasn't in human form. . . I landed on a planet that I identified as Saturn. . . they teleported me and I was down on [a] stage with them. They wanted to talk with me. They had one little antenna on each ear. A little antenna over each eye. They talked to me. They told me to stop [attending college] because there was going to be great trouble in schools. . . the world was going into complete chaos. . . I would speak [through music], and the world would listen. That's what they told me.”
  
  Chris Raschka does this picture book biography and I saw it the shelf and couldn’t believe such an obscure crazy guy (that I was once really into) would be the focus of a kid picture book. Well, it’s not really a kid book, but it is colorful and fun and I was glad to listen to some of his music again.
  
  Here they are:
  
  
  http://sunraarkestra.com/1-main.html
  
  You can check out the music here for a few minutes if you like:
  
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwW3...
• 
  Monica Edinger

  I'm a Raschka fan from way back. The range and variety of his work is astounding. Among my favorites are three featuring jazz musicians: 
  Charlie Parker Played Be Bop,  
  John Coltrane's Giant Steps, and
  Mysterious Thelonious.  Now along comes Raschka's appreciation of Sun Ra and it is as marvelous as the others. Sun Ra was one wild dude and Raschka captures his originality in words and images. Not just his life, but the sense and feeling of his music. Gorgeous.
  
• 
  Michelle

  You will remember Chris Raschka from Yo! Yes?, one of the best read-alouds of all time. You will remember Sun Ra from your time on Saturn. Or will you? His music is prodigious and prolific. His persona is mystical and mysterious. Can this picture book begin to plumb the depths of THE Sun Ra? Yes. The joyful illustrations and willingness of the author to let us go along with the idea that Sun Ra hailed from Saturn, by way of Birmingham, Alabama, will set the stage for play and experimentation. There are so many avenues that a teacher could take with students reading this book. I'm imagining a kindergarten class with classroom instruments, enough tin foil and duct tape to make outfits before some impromptu tail feather shaking to "Moon Dance." Sun Ra seems to leave a lot of room in his music for others to join in. This book will make you want to take part. (I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you, Candlewick Press.)
  
• 
  Marjorie Ingall

  This book is absolutely gorgeous -- most beautiful thing Chris Raschka has ever done, and that's saying something. The visuals fit the subject: The paintings are super-bright, crazy, Basquiat-y, unexpected and jazzy. The text is funny, which also fits:
  
  ***
  
  Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn.
  Now, you and I know that this is silly. No one comes from Saturn.
  
  And yet.
  If he did come from Saturn, it would explain so much.
  
  ***
  
  I'd give this to every jazz fan I knew. But I have no clue whether actual kids would like it. I can imagine them being confused by lines like, "At last, after seventy-nine years, it was time for Sun Ra to say good-bye to the earth and all his friends there. ON May 30, 1993, he returned to Saturn." In my experience, picture-book readers are pretty literal.)
• 
  jo

  Gotta say, I know very little about Sun Ra, but I *love* Chris Raschka's approach to this biography:
  "Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn.
  Now, you and I know that this is silly. No one comes from Saturn.
  And yet.
  If he did come from Saturn, it would explain so much.
  Let's say he did come from Saturn."
  For the rest of the book, Raschka takes Sun Ra's claim at face value. The whole book is a joyful celebration of music and individuality. Loved it!
• 
  Skye Kilaen

  Biographies are hard to get right in picture book form. Too often the writing is dry, recounting the facts about a person's life. Not so here! Raschka writes from the premise that musician Sun Ra was 100% correct when he claimed to be from Saturn. After all, writes Raschka, "it would explain so much." What follows is a fascinating tale even if you don't know the first thing about Sun Ra or his music. Raschka picks interesting details instead of following a straight biographical line of key events, and the book is stronger for it. A great place to start learning about Sun Ra, African-American musicians, or just to enjoy.
• 
  Samantha

  Picture book bio of Jazz legend Sun Ra who was known for making up the rules that he would follow concerning his craft.
  
  The storytelling is creative in an out-of-this-world way here and it really works for discussing this particular subject. Watercolor and ink illustrations have a dreamy essence to them.
  
  Back matter includes a brief bio about Sun Ra and a list of his selected recordings.
  
  PreK-2.
• 
  Jason

  Another book about someone for whom there weren't enough hours in the day to do what he loved (see my review of Thomas jefferson by Kalman). The layout is particularly compelling.
  "In his life on earth, sun ra rarely slept for several hours in a bed. He took short naps throughout the day, sometimes even dozing during his own rehearsals. When he woke again, he immediately continued with what he had just been doing."
• 
  Tyler Jones

  The world is a better place for having a children's book about Sun Ra in it!
  
  One disadvantage of coming from Saturn, though, was that Sun Ra could never really understand or care too much about money.
  
  The New York landlords, on the other hand...
• 
  Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)

  The illustrations are amazing in this book. And wow, what a quirky story.
• 
  Edward Sullivan

  A vibrant, affectionate introduction to the genius musician who claimed to be from Saturn.
• 
  Tasha

  Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka has both written and illustrated this picture book biography of the jazz musician Sun Ra. Sun Ra claimed that he came from Saturn. He came to earth in 1914 in Alabama and he was named Herman and called Sonny. From the very beginning, Sonny loved music. He learned to be a musician as a young child and also studied about philosophy. As a teen, Sun Ra was already a professional musician. When World War II came, he refused to become a soldier and instead was labeled a conscientious objector. After the war, Sun Ra returned to his music and formed The Arkestra. They made wild jazz music, created their own costumes, and toured the world sharing their music. Sun Ra left earth in 1993, having changed it for the better with his music.
  
  Raschka has created a celebration of Sun Ra on these pages. His text is playful and invites readers into the book. It opens with the idea that Sun Ra was from Saturn and scoffs at that, but then plays along with it as a premise throughout the book. Intelligently, children are invited in on the humor and can see what is really happening that way.
  
  Raschka’s illustrations are bright and loose. They suit the jazz of the music with their free flowing lines, deep colors and they way they capture landscapes as well. These are illustrations that celebrate music on a deep level.
  
  A beautiful picture book about a jazz legend, this picture book should be welcome in all library collections. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
• 
  Beth

  Sun Ra (born Herman Blount) claimed he was from Saturn. Since he was from another planet, the things of earth intrigued him, especially music. But he was also confounded by earthly traditions, such as that of earthlings insisting on "sorting themselves into two varieties: the white variety and the black variety."
  
  Sun Ra was a talented musician who marched to the beat of his own eccentric drum. He was one of the first people to ever play an electric piano, and he released all of his music independently rather than with a record label. Before Sun Ra died on May 30, 1993, he said "You may think that it is gravity that holds us all together but it is not -- it is music."
  
  Chris Raschka's words and illustrations all add to the intrigue of this eccentric musician known as Sun Ra and make you want to learn more about what made this guy tick. My one disappointment is that this book did not come with an accompanying CD to listen to Sun Ra's music. For that reason, I recommend checking this book out from the library while also checking out any and all of Sun Ra's recordings that your library might have. If you've never heard his music before, Raschka will undoubtedly pique your curiosity.
  
  Read the entire review
  on my blog.
• 
  Samuel Goff

  When I saw in my browsing that a children's book had been written about the life of my favorite musician, Sun Ra, I thought it might be the best thing ever. I was right. Chris Raschka self illustrated this wonderful book, that just had me smiling from start to finish. What was surprising to me, was how much I enjoyed the illustrations in this book. I as an adult would love to have any of these illustrations hanging proudly on my wall and I can see how the use of color and imagery could be enticing to children too. Or maybe I am just a big child. Sun Ra, was the perfect musician for children as well, he himself was like a big child and it's no coincidence his life related so well to a children's book. Recently there came out a double album of middle school children performing some of Sun Ra's compositions or the watchful eye of some avant garde stalwarts. It all fits. "The Sound Of Joy Is Enlightening." Indeed. Reading the first page should be indicative of what you are getting into. "Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn. Now, you know and I know that this is silly. No one comes from Saturn. And yet. If he did come from Saturn, it would explain so much. Let's say he did come from Saturn....." I believe. Do you?
• 
  Joan

  I see I forgot to note this book down, since I read it at work. This is a fascinating short look at a musician not many have heard of. I wouldn't have even bothered getting the book if it hadn't been by Rascha. I doubt it'll go out much, although if it is kept on display so the cover can be seen, it'll go out a bit more. The jazz musician claimed to be from Saturn. His music apparently was pretty far out there, perhaps from Saturn indeed. Or at least that is more or less Rascha's attitude. He makes it clear that part had to be made up by Sun Ra but at least does so in a respectful way. It is Rascha, so the illustrations are amazing. It is a simple enough short biography of someone my library had nothing on. At least we've now filled a gap I sure wasn't aware of. I don't feel we have enough on music in any case in our youth collection. This is recommended more because of the author than the subject matter.
• 
  Elizabeth

  Sun Ra always said he came from Saturn.
  Now, you know and I know that this is silly. No one comes from Saturn.
  
  And yet.
  If he did come from Saturn, it would explain so much.
  Let's say he did come from Saturn.
  
  So opens this book :) And I like the choice -- it feels like an appropriate way to do a biography of Sun Ra. Plus, I'm a fan of taking people at their word about their identity -- and I imagine the playfulness of identifying as being from another planet would be appealing to a lot of little kids.
  
  The story mostly feels child-appropriate, though I was jarred out of the story at e.g., "
  boulevardier," and I don't envy the parent whose child asks what Rosicrucianism or Freemasonry are.
  
  The watercolor illustrations are a good fit for the story.
  
  I was hoping for some digging into the subtitle ("The sound of joy is enlightening").
• 
  Crystal

  This week I finally got to read The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra by Chris Raschka. Wow! Sun Ra, or Herman Poole Blount as he was named at birth, was a very interesting individual. This picture book biography is a great blending of music, art, and facts about an imaginative and creative man. I was glad to find some recordings of his music online. Jazz was inventive and left a lot of room for experimentation. Sun Ra was all over that. I was happy to find this great article/author interview over at the Smithsonian website
  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithso.... I'm looking forward to sharing this bright and interesting biography with students and the art teacher.
• 
  Annie

  A wonderful biography of Sun Ra (Herman "Sonny" Blount) a jazz musician that takes the perspective that Sun Ra did in his life-- that he was from Saturn. This makes Sun Ra more understandable and engaging as a "character" for young children as his unique life "makes sense" this way. As the first page says, "Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn. Now, you know and I know that this is silly. No one come from Saturn. And yet. If he did come from Saturn, it would explain so much. Let's say he did come from Saturn..." The illustrations are gorgeous, abstract watercolors--each page is a beautiful work of art. This book could be used to teach the biography genre and also to place his life in the historical time period of the early 20th century.
  
  3/3
• 
  Kifflie

  I'm not sure that anyone but the wonderfully wild and colorful Chris Raschka could have done justice to the subject of the unique jazz musician known as Sun Ra.
  
  Trust me, you just have to go with what is happening in this book, or it will just sail off over your head.
  
  Sun Ra was not going to be nailed down by his ordinary "Earth" name (Herman Blount), nor by growing up Black in the segregated South. He made himself into a fascinating musical philosopher by studying hard and by following his inner voice. And you can't argue with the result.
  
  Don't try to analyze Raschka's art too much (I've tried in some of his previous books). Just enjoy the explosions of line and color, and think of them as visualizations of Sun Ra's music.
• 
  Barbara

  Splashy watercolor and ink illustrations and affectionate text pay tribute the jazz musician Sun Ra, born Herman Blount in Alabama. This picture book describes the music this man created as well as some of his quirky ways, not really understanding about money or bills or rent that was due, and claiming that he came from Saturn. Raschka's treatment of his subject is respectful in every way and is sure to prompt increased interest in Sun Ra and his music. This biography is an excellent addition to a text set on musicians or one on sensitive individuals or those who march to their own particular beat.
• 
  Michele Knott

  I saw this book at the library and after reading other reviews, I wanted to read it too! Sun Ra was certainly an interesting person - deciding at an early age that he was from Saturn and just here to live among the earthlings! He created a very eclectic type of music, with the roots in jazz but adding classical tones to it. He travelled all over introducing his music to the world. Being from Saturn, made him not always conform to our standards - he had his own way of moving from place to place (often because he didn't pay for things), making his own clothes and of course his own music. I did put iTunes on in the background to get a feel for his music as I read this book.
• 
  Jeff

  In both words and artwork, a simple, honest, respectful and ever joyful biography of musical genius Sun Ra. Raschka's illustrations match the tone of the text - or maybe the text matches the tone of the art - creating a visually pleasing and accepting story.
  
  "Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn. Now you and I know that this is silly. No one comes from Saturn. And yet. If he did come from Saturn, it would explain so much. Let's say he did come from Saturn."
  
  A beautiful and inspirational read for anyone wanting to know, hoping to find out, needing to believe that it is okay to follow your own creativity and genius.
• 
  Miriam

  This book is beautiful. I had never heard of Sun Ra before reading this book and am only somewhat acquainted with the late, great jazz musicians of this century. I adore Raschka's lyrical, messy, vivacious watercolor illustrations. Raschka supposes that Sun Ra is actually from Saturn, not Earth, which is why things like war, racial segregation, and money don't make sense to him. I found this belief to artfully teach the humanity and unity in all of us. I adore this book and cannot wait to share it with others.
• 
  Catherine

  I've been a fan of Sun Ra for ages and was thrilled to win a copy of this book through Goodreads. It's a great little picture book with amazing illustrations that accompanied by a brief paragraph on Sun Ra. The art is very vibrant, I loved the way the drawings were so full of colour.
  The descriptive text is simplified for younger readers, acting as a nice summary for adults. Great little book that definitely left me wanting more.
  I'd like to see something like this done on a larger scale, more as a coffee table book to more fully explore Saturn's most famous (only?) musician.
• 
  Christina Getrost

  Wild and colorful illustrations evoke the wild music of the jazz musician "Sun Ra," originally known as Sonny Blount. Because Sun Ra claimed to have been taken to Saturn in a vision, the book tells his story as if this is true, and that he was from another planet, which makes for a fun read. While I would have liked to see some sources or a bibliography, to make this more of a biography, it's still a gorgeous picture book and tells the story of a unique talented individual. he was one far-out dude! It certainly got me curious to go find some of his music to listen to.
• 
  Libby

  I really love that a picture book biography is available for Sun Ra. He is a truly unique individual, and he should be added to the ranks of 20th century composers worth remembering.
  
  "Being from outer space, Sun Ra was neither afraid of electrons nor electricity and so was one of the first musicians on Earth to use an electric keyboard."
  
  "Before he left, Sun Ra said, "You may think that it is gravity that holds us all together but it is not - it is music.'"
• 
  Earl

  Claiming to be from Saturn, Sun Ra was definitely an out-of-this world character. Although he may have marched to a different beat, whose to say he was crazy? What's wrong with looking past people's skin colors? What's wrong with not participating in war? I love this quote: You may think that it is gravity that holds us all together but it is not- it is music."
  
  I am not a fan of Chris Raschka's art, I'm sorry to say, but it works well here.
• 
  Ms Threlkeld

  This is a tricky book to review. I thought it was interesting, especially since I knew almost nothing about Sun Ra before reading it, and the illustrations matched the mood of the text well, but I have no idea how kids would react to this biography. I think younger students will be confused and not understand that Sun Ra was a real person who wasn't actually from Saturn and older kids will just think he was kind of a strange dude.