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Ossining Resident Writes Book About The Beatles

OSSINING, N.Y. -- Susanna Reich, an Ossining resident, is introducing the Beatles to a new generation.

Susanna Reich is the author of a new picture book about The Beatles.

Susanna Reich is the author of a new picture book about The Beatles.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Laurel Golio
"Fab Four Friends" chronicles The Beatles up to Beatlemania

"Fab Four Friends" chronicles The Beatles up to Beatlemania

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Susanna Reich

Reich is the author of "Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became The Beatles," a picture book that focuses on the childhoods of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr and the beginning of The Beatles. The book ends at the outbreak of Beatlemania. 

On Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., Reich and her illustrator, Adam Gustavson will be at the Village Bookstore in Pleasantville to talk about her book. Reich will also be at the Voracious Reader in Larchmont on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.

"The story of The Beatles would never fit into an entire picture book," Reich, who has written seven books, said. "I thought kids would like to know how they became The Beatles and could identify with seeing them as children."

Reich said we often think of The Beatles being born from their famous appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," but they were already famous in England and had been playing together for years. 

"I've always been a fan of The Beatles since I was a child," Reich said. "Like all kids, I listened to every single record and followed them all through the 1960s."

In the book, readers will learn that Harrison was obsessed with his guitar and dedicated to becoming an excellent guitarist.

"He used to sit and draw pictures of his guitar while sitting in the back of the classroom," Reich said.

Lennon was obsessed with the music of Elvis Presley, much to the consternation of his Aunt Mimi, who raised him. McCartney's mother died when he was a teenager. Reich said he was a good student who fell apart afterwards.

Starr was a sickly child who was often in the hospital, where he took up drumming. 

"He fell in love with the drums and never went back to school," Reich said. "He used to drum of anything."

Reich said she would like kids to know more about The Beatles.

"I want the book to inspire them to listen to their music," Reich said.

Reich's next book is a picture book about Pete Seeger. 

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