Denton County is always filled with art and music, but October is a special month with the annual Denton Arts & Jazz Festival. Hence, a column on the arts! And a touch of Halloween.
The Devil Is in it: A History of the American Acoustic Guitar
John Stubbings, University of Texas Press, 2025, 412 pages, $34.95
Carve out a large segment of time and enjoy this riveting blockbuster history of music of the last 100-plus years. The Devil Is in it: A History of the American Acoustic Guitar (John Stubbings, University of Texas Press, 2025, 412 pages, $34.95) begins with the introduction of the European classical guitar to the Americas in the 1800s and ends with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Ed Sheeran. What comes between is incredible storytelling of the singers and writers who wielded and changed the instrument. Woody Guthrie used his guitar as an instrument of peace. Joni Mitchell, because of a weakened left hand from polio, simplified chord shapes and reinvented the acoustic guitar as an accompaniment instrument. Hundreds of stories backed by impeccable research make this a must.
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour Encyclopedia
Mari Bolte, Abdo, 2025, 192 pages, $16.99
Taylor Swift is one of the most popular entertainers in the U.S. Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour Encyclopedia (Mari Bolte, Abdo, 2025, 192 pages, $16.99) is the perfect book for the avid fan or for a library. There is information on the tour itself, the stage, the costumes and the set list. I found the set list very interesting as it provides information on the purpose and content of each song, with album notes and fun facts. The reader receives inside information on what each song means and the reason for it to be included.
Bob Dylan: Things Have Changed
Ron Rosenbaum, Melville House, 2025, 304 pages, $32
Ron Rosenbaum, the author of Bob Dylan: Things Have Changed (Rosenbaum, Melville House, 2025, 304 pages, $32), has been interviewing and writing about Bob Dylan for decades. This is not a true biography but a deep dive into two facets of Dylan’s songwriting: theodicy (a study of radical evil) and metaphysics. Dylan has had many changes of character and denies that he is now that former character and the music that reflected him. Fans will find the text fascinating.
Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions
Francesca Royster, University of Texas Press, 2022, 230 pages, $24.95
The title Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions (Francesca Royster, University of Texas Press, 2022, 230 pages, $24.95) seems to be an oxymoron. Yet the author examines the history of country music by delving into the work of such artists as Tina Turner, Darius Rucker and Lil Nas X to uncover their ties to country music and the contributions they made to where country is today.
Spirituals are the music of the enslaved, incorporating elements of African oral tradition and passed along by word of mouth. After the Civil War they were written and today are recognized as a national treasure. When I Hear Spirituals (Cheryl Hudson, illustrated by London Ladd, Holiday House, 2025, 40 pages, $18.99) juxtaposes with text and vibrant illustration a moment in history or the present with a refrain from a spiritual. A child dances freely with the words from “Rock-a My Soul.” Harriet Tubman leads folks to freedom with the words from “Go Down, Moses.”
In 21 massive canvases, Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony (Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Stacy Innerst, Calkins Creek, 2025, 40 pages, $18.99). THe painter’s vivid imagination creates La Grande Vallee through abstract expressionism using color and brushstrokes to bring her vision to life. This vivid book captures her intent and style and could allow some young readers to create boldly.
Henri Matisse is known for his use of color and light in his paintings that represent several artistic movements. An Abundance of Light (Lauren Stringer, Beach Lane, 2025, 48 pages, $18.99) highlights his depression over dark and gray in the rainy winter. A friend recommends he visit Tangier, Morocco, and the light there changes the way he observes the world.
Denton is blessed with many murals, so readers should appreciate Mural Island (Katie Yamasaki, Norton, 2025, 40 pages, $18.99). Kengi can’t stop painting, any surface experiences their brush. When everyone begs Kengi for a stop, they receive an invitation to Mural Island, where anyone can paint. When Kengi realizes that murals painted there can disappear overnight, they just pick up a brush and begin again. Vivid color and exuberance abound.
From the selection of markers and paper to specific steps in creating art Art With Markers (Angela Pan, Chronicle Books, 2025, 144 pages, $22.95) is an excellent book. The basics of understanding the concepts of color lead to drawing and blending techniques. The majority of the book provides clear steps in creating art from a simple flower to scenes in many countries.
A perfect book for an inquisitive child is How to Be a Color Wizard (Jason Logan, MIT Kids Press, 2024, 163 pages, $22.99). Readers select the type of wizard they are (it can change daily) and prepare carefully for an adventure. Color is everywhere in nature and can create paint, chalk or confetti that is highly individual. I particularly like the section on spices! The specific involvement of adults is both for safety and creative reasons.
From prehistoric to modern and contemporary art, Sleuth & Solve Art: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries (Victor Escandell, Chronicle Books, 2025, 57 pages, $18.99) engages the reader of all ages in knowledge about art and presents a clever mystery that requires logic and imagination to solve. An invitation to experience art completes the book.
Lady Darby is back with another mystery to be solved. A Tarnished Canvas (Anna Lee Huber, Berkley, 2025, 388 pages, $19) begins with an auction of priceless art masterpieces from the collection of Lord Eldin. When the floor of the home collapses and an attendee dies, a hunt is on to find the person who caused the collapse. Based on historical fact, the book blends fact and fiction in a satisfying story about the characters we have come to enjoy.
A thoroughly researched study of Incan pottery is presented in Objects of Empire: The Ceramic Tradition of the Imperial Inca State (Tamara L. Bray, University of Texas Press, 2025, 211 pages, $65). The study’s intent is to show how “power and legitimacy are produced and reproduced through the material culture of everyday life.” In addition, the extensive variety and beautiful color reproductions of pottery show that former labeling of this pottery as mundane and repetitive to be in error. Artists as well as scholars will love the book.
Once again, a man receives credit for a woman’s work. The magnificent Tiffany lamps that reflected nature were created from the imagination and artistic craft of Clara Driscoll. It wasn’t until her letters to her family were discovered that she received the credit she deserved. Making Light Bloom (Sandra Nickel, illustrated by Julie Paschkis, Peachtree Publishing Co., 2025, 32 pages, $18.99) is a picture book biography filled with color, light and truth. A delight to read.
A book on crafts is the perfect solution to “I’m bored!” The Crafting Encyclopedia (Zoey Schrader, Abdo, 2025, 192 pages, $52.79) begins with the elements of design, composition and color theory, which are used in all crafts. There are sections on 12 types of craft, including collage, fiber art and sculpture. Each section provides specific instructions on materials needed and the steps to make the creation. A real gem for home or library.
Oh my goodness, where do you start If You Want to Write a Story (Jeff Mack, Neal Porter Books, 2025, 40 pages, $18.99)? Yes, begin with an idea and follow it through all the trials and tribulations of creation. The author uses a mouse and a rabbit in this charming book to help young (or not so young) authors to envision a story for others. Both fun and instructive!
Someone who definitely knows how to write a story is Jane Yolen, author of more than 400 books. Janie Writes a Play (Heidi Stemple, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, Charlesbridge, 2025, 32 pages, $18.99) is her daughter’s rendering of the first play Jane wrote, a play for her class to perform. Jane’s imagination is highlighted throughout in both illustrations and text. The end pages display the titles of many of her notable books.
One of the most beloved books of elementary and middle grade readers is Woodrow “Woody” Wilson Rawls’ Where the Red Fern Grows. A picture book biography, Woody’s Words (Lisa Rogers, illustrated by Susan Reagan, Calkins Creek, 2025, 32 pages, $18.99) reveals for us the drive to write and the impediments the author faced. Poverty, jail for stealing and a lack of education did not stop this man, for which we are grateful. His success lightens the story, and the inclusion of actual quotes in a different typeface makes this a wonderful book. A gift of both this book and his would be splendid.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams is a classic book for children that has certainly stood the test of time. Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit (Molly Golden, art by Paola Escobar, Clarion Books, 2025, 48 pages, $19.99) is a picture book biography of Williams and the events that led to her writing her book. Lines from the original book are inserted on appropriate pages that highlight what was happening in real life that led to the book.
Annie is a perfect witch, and the burden to please everyone sits heavily on her shoulders. When she is asked to mentor a teenager who is learning witchcraft but having trouble managing it, it leads to Annie becoming Uncharmed (Lucy Jane Wood, Ace, 2025, 369 pages, $19) and happy in her new life. But to get there involves betrayal, treachery, self-acceptance and a touch of romance. Annie’s found family takes time to come together but is solid in the end.
Brume: The Dragon Awakens (Jerome Pelissier and Carine Hinder, Hippo Park, 2025, 64 pages, $12.99) introduces us to a rather ill-mannered child who is convinced she is a witch who will save her village. Gathering a familiar, the pig Hubert, and an assistant named Hugo, Brume sets out to slay a dragon who lives nearby. If one reads carefully, it is questionable as to who actually is casting the spells. This is the first of three graphic novels and the setting is the town in France where the artists live. The tongue-in-cheek delivery is perfect for young readers.
Pumpkin and Beetle: Two Vampire Cats
Jannie Ho, Holiday House, 2025, 70 pages, $16.99
A graphic novelette for young readers introduces us to Pumpkin and Beetle: Two Vampire Cats (Jannie Ho, Holiday House, 2025, 70 pages, $16.99). Vampire cats are similar to regular cats, but they sleep in the day and are up at night to moon-bathe and stargaze. Our two stars want to earn money to buy the latest edition of The Frightfuls comic. Their trial and errors with crab apples is quite funny, but they do succeed in a clever way.