Stars That Shine - Hardcover

Plenty of great country songs are built around a strong narrative, woeful circumstances, and an uplifting finish. Think of Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue" (actually penned by the late children's author Shel Silverstein) or Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter." Or ponder Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors," which provides the framework for one of the best tales in this collection of childhood stories from country-music stars. Parton's song, one of her best early works, draws upon an incident from her impoverished upbringing, when her mother sewed donated pieces of quilt into a vivid winter coat for her favorite child. When Dolly proudly wore her homemade coat to school, however, she was mocked by her classmates. Yet, after enduring a day of abuse, she recognized the beauty in her mother's labor and resolved to wear her coat proudly. Similar tales--some playful, others more high-minded--round out this as-told-to tome by Julie Clay, the former executive director of the Nashville Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Clay used her Music City connections with the likes of Willie Nelson, George Jones, Patty Loveless, and Trisha Yearwood to collect recollections of kite contests, prize cows who behaved like dogs, and magic guitars. With the best of them, you can almost hear a steel guitar weeping in the background as you turn the pages. (Ages 8 and older) --Steven Stolder

Julie Clay's first short story collection, The Stars That Shine, reflects her lifelong love of both words and music. An accomplished pianist who continues to find time for songwriting, Clay served as the executive director of the Nashville Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. She is currently completing work as coauthor on a celebrity autobiography and is developing additional children's projects. She lives with her husband and their daughter in Nashville, Tennessee.