C Is for Country

by Lil Nas X, Theodore Taylor III (Illustrator)

Parents who play Grammy winner Lil Nas X’s 12-times platinum single Old Town Road on repeat will want to take their kids and ride on over to this ABC picture book from the music mega-star!

A is for adventure. Every day is a brand-new start!
B is for boots—whether they’re big or small, short or tall.
And C is for country.

Join superstar Lil Nas X—who boasts the longest-running #1 song in history—and Panini the pony on a joyous journey through the alphabet from sunup to sundown. Experience wide-open pastures, farm animals, guitar music, cowboy hats, and all things country in this debut picture book that’s perfect for music lovers learning their ABCs and for anyone who loves Nas’s signature genre-blending style.

Featuring bold, bright art from Theodore Taylor III, with plenty of hidden surprises for Nas’s biggest fans, C Is for Country is a celebration of song and the power inside us all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Music, LGBT, Fiction, Animals, African American

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2021

About the author

Lil Nas X is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to prominence with the release of his country rap single "Old Town Road."

Reviews

[Bookishrealm]

I think I was just as shocked as everyone else when Lil Nas X decided to come out with a picture book. But...it was really good! Thank you so much to Random House Kids for sending me a copy for review. All thoughts are my own.

C Is for Country is a fun and interesting concept book that focuses on the alphabet. True to Lil Nas X's creativity, this book definitely shows how much fun he had creating this book. As a librarian and a parent, I'm used to seeing the "typical" words used in alphabet concept books, but I can admit that the words utilized for each of the letters were fun and different. There was a focus on what Lil Nas X liked to do as well as a focus on family and I appreciated that. The artwork was good. I think that a lot picture books are moving towards more graphic designed artwork. The colors were vibrant and rich and it was cute seeing Lil Nas X characterized as a little kid. Clearly this is a play on his song "Old Town Road" which kids absolutely loved upon released. As a result, I think that they'll really appreciate and enjoy this book.

[Joce (squibblesreads)]

My child is obsessed with horses and can’t stop reading this book. It’s so good. The “Y is for y’all” page is the best.

[Jes]

You can stop clutching your pearls and rest assured this is an age appropriate book with inclusivity and lots of love.

The Letter F was my favorite part of the book.

[Kaethe]

#28 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and request to Goodreads that the Top Readers, etc. lists be fixed. For a full explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.

Lil Nas X recorded "Old Town Road" a song with multiple record-breaking achievements, most recently the certified highest selling song in the US at over 14 million. The gentleman knows how to write a hook with crossover appeal. Arguably not the most important qualities in a children's picture book in general, but important if you're selling an ABC about a contemporary Black country family with horses. Hella charming. So wholesome. He wrote it for his nieces and nephews. Well, ok, you expect that from a guy who wanted to work with Billy Ray Cyrus because of Hannah Montana.

Taylor's art is just as appealing as the text. Those adorable outfits are all based on actual red-carpet wear. The pony, Panini!

Library copy

[Amity]

Not to be dramatic but I would die for Panini.

[Michael Howley]

The stars in the night sky form a Grammy, anyone giving this less than five is a cop

[darce vader]

I kind of loved this. Really picks up by F.

[Totahly]

C Is for Country by @lilnasx was a cute ABC picture book that my youngest daughter loved listening too. He brought elements of the country in with his cute rhymes and it was reminiscent of his pride in being a country boy. The illustrations were fun and colorful and grabbed the kids attention immediately. My kids kept singing his song “Old Town Road” and when I found out he came out with this book, I had to let them read along.

Thank you so much for my #gifted audiobook @PRHaudio and @penguinrandomhouse ! Super grateful for our #Partnership !

[Rick]

This was silly and delightful and two tons of fun. As far as I’m concerned Lil Nas X can do any kind of children’s book and I’ll read it.

[Elsie]

O is for old town road

[Becca Foley]

Such a cute and fun book! If you have little ones in your life, I highly recommend!

[Jack]

Lil Nas X is a delight.

While I'm not entirely certain how he managed to get a deal writing a children's book, I am extremely happy that he did. From the title you know what you're getting into - what you might not know is just how incredibly wholesome this book is. C is for Country goes through the alphabet. Our main character is Lil Nas X? Montero? Growing up on a farm out in the country. We get to meet his family and his (I is for) itty-bitty pony (P is for) Panini who he rides out alongside the wild (M is for) mustangs.

The book is adorable. There are a number of pretty hilarious little asides for the adult reading it. Particularly fun was X is for eXtra, where he dresses up his stuffed animals because just because you're going to bed doesn't mean you can't look good doing it... or the Grammy constellation in the night sky. Similarly adorable was the Y is for Y'all, which brought a smile to my face.

This book is precious, funny, and beautifully illustrated. It's a book I'd love to get for any little one's in my life, because it would be as much fun for the adult's to read as it would for the kiddos.

[Megan (ReadingRover)]

Meh. I don’t know why so many people are raving about this book. It’s your typical alphabet book with something listed for each letter. Being that it’s by a musician I had at least hoped it would have the usual rhythmic cadence as you read through the book. Unfortunately it lacked that. It would go from “K is for kingdom. And this here? This is mine.” on one page to a very short almost lazy “L is for Lullaby.” on the next. When we get to Q it says “Q is for quality time with family. Don’t forget the meatballs and spaghetti, garlic bread and Mama’s desserts.” Then the next page is a ridiculous contrast of “R is for rodeo” with a picture of him playing with his dad. I get that he’s trying to show us a bigger picture here of what his family life is like but why not just make a picture book about that or a better put together one if you’re going to insist on doing an alphabet one like this. There are so many alphabet books out there that are done well and have a lot of effort put into them. Just because you’re a celebrity doesn’t mean you should be able to put out a sub par book. Sorry LNX. Good effort. 2 stars.

[Annie MacPherson]

I loved this story for two reasons. First, the little boy feels like a real person. It is clear he is unique and that makes him easy to connect with as a character. And secondly, it's just plain refreshing to see a Black Cowboy, not as a joke (as in Boogie Nights) or as a metaphor for the inner city as the new American West, but just as a Black kid who genuinely loves horses and country music. Defying cultural stereotypes is the thing to do right now, but this one does it in a way that, ironically, does not read as a cash grab despite being written by a celebrity during his 15 minutes of fame. Individualism, yeehaw! 🐎

[Emily Morris]

I picked this up as a Christmas present for my cousin’s daughter. I have a few days before I actually give her the gift, so I figured I may as well read it before doing so. It’s a very sweet and inclusive book and the illustrations are beautiful! I’m sure it will become a beloved addition to her library.

[Brianna]

Great book for little kids who are learning the alphabet. I picked it up and looked at it solely because I was shocked to see Lil Nas X's name on a children's book, but after flipping through it, I was charmed. The farmstead imagery is cute, the drawings are colorful and interesting, and I think there's a lot that a kid can engage with in this book. If you're looking for a picture book, this is worth looking at.

[Deidra (ShadeTreeReads)]

Adorable picture book!!

This was a fun quick read with lovely artwork! Definitely gonna be getting this for my friends’ babies and one for me!!

[Heaven Ashlee]

The pony is named Panini 🥺😭

[Bianca]

“i love that for me!”

[Kei]

I personally think some of the letters didn't flow very well, but other than that, it's a wonderful book.

[Caroline]

G isn’t for gay and Q isn’t for queer. 3 stars.

[Miki Rybicki]

I thought putting X is for eXtra was not cute.

[Emily]

Not fantastic, but not bad, either. The rhyme scheme doesn't seem to flow super well, but the illustrations are engaging and fun.

[Aaron]

This alphabet book was written by grammy winner Lil Nas X and draws upon his youth to come up with turns and phrases for each letter. A little Lil Nas X is joined by his little pony panini as he makes his way through the alphabet and explores the countryside and other country and western topics.

The text is accompanied by vibrant and colorful illustrations by Theodore Taylor III. The result is a fun look at the alphabet that captures the feel of country music as well as the vibrant personality of this young musician.

[Lex Maliga Davis]

Cute and fun.

[N]

A horse named Panini! Stuffed animals at bedtime that are being extra! "F" is for the fringe on a western wear jacket! This alphabet book is imbued with the author's persona and it's quite a niche but I'm not sure I want to bring this book home to my child and risk being asked to play Old Town Road again after it was requested SIX THOUSAND TIMES in the summer of 2019. Ugh. It's stuck in my head. Thanks Lil Nas X.

[Amanda]

This is a cute ABC book written by Lil Nas X. Oliver loves Old Town Road and I thought this would be a great choice for him. It is a little behind his reading level but he enjoyed it nonetheless.

[DeAja]

This is one of the cutest picture books I’ve ever read😄

[Delta Gowen]

Super cute! I really enjoyed this book, and the illustrations were super fun. Only criticism would be different words for some of the letters I thought they could be a little more creative.

[Pinky]

C is for country and everybody is welcome in this farmyard alphabet.