Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar

Gus & Me is a memoir by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards about his relationship with his grandfather, Theodore Augustus Dupree. The book focuses on Richards' early childhood in post-war London and his first experiences with music. Richards recounts time spent with his grandfather Gus, a former big band musician who introduced him to the guitar. Their adventures through London and musical discoveries form the core of this illustrated narrative. The story has been adapted into a picture book format with artwork by Keith Richards' daughter Theodora Richards, named after her great-grandfather. The illustrations complement the text with sketches of London streets and musical moments. This multi-generational tale explores themes of family bonds and the passing down of musical heritage. Through a child's perspective, it captures how early influences and mentorship can shape a life's direction.

Readers describe this children's book as a personal, heartwarming story about Richards' relationship with his grandfather. Parents appreciate how it demonstrates the impact grandparents can have on children's lives. Liked: - Theodore Beineix's black and white illustrations with watercolor accents - The authentic portrayal of a working-class London childhood - Simple, conversational writing style accessible to young readers Disliked: - Some found the story too brief and wanted more depth - A few readers expected more focus on music/guitars - Price point considered high for length ($18) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (876 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (165 reviews) Notable Reader Comments: "Shows a tender side of Keith Richards most wouldn't expect" - Goodreads reviewer "My 6-year-old grandson loved hearing about another little boy and his grandpa" - Amazon reviewer "Beautiful artwork but the story feels rushed" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🎸 Keith Richards wrote this children's book as a tribute to his grandfather, Theodore Augustus "Gus" Dupree, who introduced him to music and gave him his first guitar 🎨 The book features charming illustrations by Keith Richards' daughter, Theodora Richards, named after her great-grandfather Gus 🎵 Gus Dupree was a jazz musician who played in dance bands and kept guitars hanging on his walls, allowing young Keith to look but not touch until he was ready to learn 📖 The story takes place in post-World War II London, where Keith would visit his grandfather and explore the city together, sharing their mutual love of music 🏆 The book won the 2015 Keystone to Reading Book Award in the Primary Category, demonstrating its ability to connect with young readers while sharing a personal family story