Danté Plays His Blues

Danté Plays His Blues is a picture book about a boy who learns the power of music for expressing his sadness (and joy) after he and his mom lose their housing and must move in with the boy’s uncles in a different town.

When Danté and his mother lose their housing, they move in with Uncle Ron and Uncle Joe. It’s tough at first, as Danté misses his friends and his neighborhood, so Uncle Ron teaches him to play the saxophone. Together they practice every day, DO-RE-MI-FA-RROOWWRR! Learning how to play is hard, especially when you have the blues. Can Danté turn his blues into his muse? 

Allen R. Wells grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where he spent a lot of time with his head stuck in a book or creating worlds through his words or solving problems and puzzles. He is the author of It’s Pride, Baby! When he isn’t writing, Allen is trekking around the world, designing and building engineering systems. 

Shamar Knight-Justice is an illustrator and educator based in Atlanta. His artwork focuses on mixed media and unique textures and patterns. Shamar intentionally highlights Black and Brown children in his work because he wants the fullness of their identities to be celebrated in picture books. He is the illustrator of Ari J.’s Kinky, Curly Crown; Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince; and Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day.