Charley's Honky-Tonk Mission

The Story of America's First Black Country Music Superstar

By: Beatrice Winifred Iker

A rollicking picture book biography about Charley Pride, the first Black country music superstar.

He was gonna ride the clouds outta Sledge, Mississippi,
with his rich, ringin’ rhymes
and change the world one ditty, one ditty,
one ditty at a time.

Charley Pride was born with a honky-tonk mission: to bring all types of folks together through music! A multitalented singer, he played baseball in the Negro Leagues before exploding onto the country music scene. In the face of racism and segregation, he united diverse crowds throughout the 1960s and 70s and later became the first Black performer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

With expressive rhyming verse by debut children’s book author Beatrice Winifred Iker and glowing illustrations by debut illustrator Miguelina Milien, this inspiring picture book biography celebrates a figure who paved the way for many, from Tanner Adell, Darius Rucker, and Mickey Guyton to Shaboozey and Beyoncé.

Features illustrated backmatter with full biography of Charley Pride's life, archival interview excerpts, and author's note!

Critic reviews

Praise for Tumble by Beatrice Winifred Iker; Illustrated by Miguelina Milien:

“A poetic, worthy ode to a trailblazer.” —Kirkus Reviews