I feel like I've kind of cemented myself as being someone extremely critical of every ABBA and ABBA-related book release, always anticipating inaccuracies or alleged facts that haven't been proven so the book just ends up being another gossip mongering tale to add to all the other gossip-fueled stories, and at this point, I had kind of given up on the idea of their being an accurate telling of ABBA's story in book format.
With this is a children's book with ~20 pages, and assuming it's targeted mostly at an American audience,, I wasn't anticipating there to be a lot of room for super detailed story telling, and, being a children's book, I expected the story to be extremely simplified, only acknowleding the songd featured on ABBA Gold at most, certainly making a big deal about Mamma Mia!, and barely going into details on the members life pre-ABBA.
So I was extremely surprised and excited to find that the book went beyond my expectations. The book dedicates one page to each ABBA member and their pre-ABBA work, presenting them in age order actually, like the first page is about Bjorn, next is Frida, followed by Benny, and then Agnetha. The Hootenanny Singers and the Hep Stars are even acknowledged and illustrated as well!
Although the text is super simple and not overly detailed, not going into all the fine details of ABBA's story, the book acknowledges that the road to success after ABBA's Waterloo win was not easy, with the fear of being a one-hit wonder, and critics being a bit harsh. Songs like Dancing Queen, SOS, and Mamma Mia, are mentioned as big hits, as well as I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, which is not a title you'd think of if you're someone only familiar with ABBA Gold. The only studio albums discussed are ABBA and Arrival, but the book isn't really going in a linear, extremely biographical direction, but rather as an introduction to the band.
The illustrations are super cute, and do a pretty good job representing the ABBA members and their ever-changing appearances throughout the years. As someone who is obsessed with ABBA's costumes, I'm really happy to see that there is even a page dedicated to ABBA's outfits, and they're even drawn accurately, as well!
December 11, 1982, is mentioned as the date of their final performance, which is a super specific detail that I wasn't expecting the book to include. After that, it writes that the members' went their separate ways, and doesn't go into any detail on their solo-work post-ABBA, which is fine since this book is dedicated to ABBA the band itself. Then there's one page that shares a little bit on the success of ABBA Gold and the Mamma Mia! musical and films.
Then, the book concludes with a page on ABBA the Museum, and to my pleasant surprise, ABBA's 9th and final album to date, Voyage, with an illustration of the ABBA members at the Voyage show premiere. No mention of the Voyage show though. Interestingly, the book doesn't acknowledge any other crucial players in ABBA's story, like Michael B. Tretow, or Stig Anderson, either.
I really really liked this book. Without being overly detailed, the book manages to share ABBA's story in a way that feels fresh and new, yet also manages to include information that isn't super broadly known among the non-obsessed, casual ABBA listeners.
Now, I know this is being super critical and this probably doesn't bother anyone other than me, and it also doesn't affect the story telling whatsover, but the outfit they drew Frida in on the cover isn't 100% accurate, as Frida never wore the skirt piece of the white 1979 tour with the blue thigh-high boots, and she only wore the blue thigh-high boots on the Japan leg of the tour when her hair was longer and styled differently than pictured on the cover. Also, they forgot to give Bjorn a beard in the image of them in 1982, but again, this is just me being a quibbler.
All in all, I'm actually quite impressed with this book, I'm happier than I expected to be. It really felt like the author and illustrator know their stuff and share a love for this band, and they managed to translate that love into the text and drawings. I can totally see myself someday reading this to my nieces as an introductory piece, and I suppose if there are children who read this book and want to know even more about the band, then that's where my children's book can come in and provide even more details. ;)
Major applause to Jeneanne DeBois and Maike Plenzke.
If I'm being super critical, I'd rate this book a 9.75/10, but I'm happy to round that up to a 10/10, and if you have young kids who you think would be interested in getting to know ABBA, then I highly recommend this book.
