The Fillmore district of San Francisco is celebrated in this rhyming look at that area’s cultural significance. The text points out how music dominates the landscape from the Fillmore Auditorium, to parks, to the Jazz Festival: “Rhymes and rhythms blazed like beacons in the Harlem of the West.” Both the text and the illustrations indicate the district’s ethnic diversity and highlight notable figures including Maya Angelou and Carlos Santana. The full-color, graphics-style artwork helps fill in aspects and matches well with the brief text. Hopefully, the illustration of the cable car will be revised before the final publication, because a green streetcar is shown instead.

I've got to admit, I elected to review this book out of curiosity to see how they'd handle explaining the Fillmore district to the target age given, 5-8. Given its raucous history, I felt that might be a chore. What author Warner has done, however, is focus more on the aura and meaning of the music, art, and words set free there than the history of the Fillmore district itself. I'm still fuzzy on whether most children in the target age range will have even heard of Fillmore, let along be curious about it or, for that matter, the artists mentioned. That's not to say the book is bad, just a bit bewildering to this adult mind.

That said, I can fully see this one finding a home with music oriented parents or teachers, maybe even music departments in higher level facilities. It gives a strong sense of inclusion and diversity, all with a bit of the magic of music detailed. Using a basic pallet of color, the illustrations by Jerrard K. Polk are nicely done and give a sense of the Fillmore area through several decades. The people shown are of different races, all seen interacting and enjoying the aura of the Fillmore together. I loved the touch of the music notes drifting in a starry sky and the changes in dress and even car designs as we move from decade to decade. You get a feel for the area in the slanted streets and trolley cars, too. Harmony and understanding, ie acceptance, to steal from a song lyric, dominate as people are shown coming together and enjoying the scene from their windows or a park. In other words, the image of peace and love all set to music.

I enjoyed the book, especially since it handled the aura of the district rather than the sometimes harsh reality that invaded it at times. No sex, drugs, and barely a mention of rock'n'roll here. Oddly enough, I learned more about the history of the actual Fillmore district in the brief bit at the end, noting the district became popular after being one of the few to survive the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. It became a bit of an oasis for many, calling some to dub it the Harlem of the West.

Bottom line, while unsure about the target audience, it was a nicely done bit of history with a message of harmony. 32 pages, target audience 5-8.

This was a fun and beautifully illustrated book about the history of the Fillmore District in San Francisco. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This was a fun biography filled with facts and color about San Francisco’s Fillmore District. I’d never heard of this until now, but it was overflowing with people whose names I’ve read about and whose music I recognize. This would be an important one to have in the music classroom especially.

This is a great short history of Fillmore District in California and it's importance. The book mentions important people who have created there, have made an impact, have used their music and brought the area the fame and recognition it has. It demonstrates it's cultural significant and all the forms it created a lasting impact over the decades.

This is a lovely picture book about local to San Fransisco history. I enjoyed learning about the different artists who have performed at the Fillmore. I would recommend this book to those local to the Bay Area.