Described as “if Dr Seuss and Ozzy Osbourne spent a crazy night out on the town, then this would be their story”, a new children’s book rips into the headbanging field of heavy metal music.
South African Lav Nandlall has written Don’t Fear the Dark as a colourful series of 11 children’s picture books to give an overview of metal music from its start in the 1960s to now.
The first book sets the pace with brief rhymes and cartoon-like drawings of groups like Black Sabbath and other early rock bands, and it will continue the rest of the series with the aim of educating children about a music scene often overlooked today.
Don’t Fear the Dark is illustrated by Kaylee McHugh with layout by Jeanine Breuer.
The trio saw the lack of commercial books on metal music, particularly those aimed at younger audiences, and hope their work will open discussions about musical inspiration, artistic careers, style statements, adventure and the macabre.
The 20-something Nandlall isn’t just a metalhead, however, she also is an avid traveller, music journalist and blogger at the Heavy Metal Duchess.
She also is the managing editor of Pure Grain Audio, a Canadian-based alternative music website, as well as freelance music journalist who has written stories about bands such as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Metallica.
The first book is available directly from the author at airguitarblog@gmail.com