Gus & Me facts for kids

Gus & Me is a special children's book from 2014. It was written by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. The book's full title is "The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar." It tells the heartwarming tale of how a young Keith Richards started playing the guitar. He learned from his grandfather, Theodore Augustus "Gus" Dupree. Keith's own daughter, Theodora Richards, drew all the pictures for the book. She was even named after her great-grandfather, Gus! Gus & Me became very popular, reaching number 2 on The New York Times Best Seller list for children's books.

Gus & Me: A Story of Music and Family

This book is a wonderful look into the early life of a famous musician. It shows how important family can be in helping someone discover their talents. The story focuses on the special bond between Keith and his granddad, Gus. Gus was the one who first showed Keith how to play the guitar. This experience helped shape Keith into the legendary musician he is today.

Who is Keith Richards?

Keith Richards is a world-famous musician. He is best known as the guitarist for the rock band The Rolling Stones. This band has been making music for many decades. Keith Richards is known for his unique guitar style. He has written many famous songs with his bandmate, Mick Jagger. Before he became a rock star, he was just a young boy learning music from his family.

The Story Behind the Book

The idea for Gus & Me came from Keith Richards' own memories. He wanted to share the story of how he found his passion for music. His grandfather, Gus, played a huge role in this. Gus was a jazz musician himself. He encouraged Keith to pick up the guitar and taught him the basics. This book is a tribute to that special relationship. It shows how a simple gift, like a guitar, can change a life.

A Special Collaboration

Keith Richards worked with Barnaby Harris and Bill Shapiro to write Gus & Me. The book was published in 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. A cool feature of the book was that it came with a CD. On this CD, you could hear Keith Richards himself reading the story aloud. This made the book even more personal for young readers.

The illustrations in the book are also very special. They were created by Keith Richards' daughter, Theodora Richards. This made the book a true family project. Theodora's drawings help bring her father's childhood memories to life.

The Book's Success

Gus & Me quickly became a hit with readers. It showed that stories about family and following your dreams can inspire many people. Reaching the top of The New York Times Best Seller list is a big achievement for any book. It means many people enjoyed reading about Keith Richards' early musical journey.