Book and author information

Zane Lalani, a life long Beatles fan, was only five when the Beatles hit the big time, but their
influence on his life was immediate. From their music to their hairstyle, from their clothing to
their cartoons, Zane followed them closely. At age eight, he wore out his teenage brother’s
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album and had memorized the lyrics. His love for
the Beatles and their music never faded and Zane still enjoys the entire spectrum of the
Beatles' repertoire, including their solo work.

Like many Beatles fans who became parents, Zane played Beatles songs, such as Yellow
Submarine, for his young daughter, Riyana. She took an interest in their music and by the
time Riyana was a pre-teen, she had began to ask questions about the Beatles' lives and
music. Zane found some books for young children, but the limited information didn't satisfy
Riyana’s quest for knowledge. With the vast number of books on the Beatles, Zane was
confident he would find something for suitable for her. He expanded his search from his
own large collection to bookstores, Beatles festivals, and the Internet, but didn’t find
anything appropriate for her age group. So he decided to research and write about the
Beatles for her. While he was writing, his family and friends urged him to publish the work
so other pre-teens and teens could learn about the Beatles.

In addition to having material suitable for pre-teens and teenagers, Zane wanted the book
to be fast-paced and easy-to-read for the short attention span of young adolescents. The
chapters are divided into short topics with relevant photographs and album covers.
Sidebars with interesting trivia are scattered throughout the book. The emotions the fans
felt during Beatlemania are conveyed through newspaper headlines, stories, and fan
interviews. The 1960s' decade was turbulent and full of controversy, and the Beatles had
their share of controversies. The book doesn’t shy away from the controversial issues the
Beatles faced, but Zane explains the issues in an appropriate manner for the age group and
leaves out some topics that are more appropriate for mature readers. Parents, librarians,
teachers, and other adults can feel comfortable that the book is safe to read for pre-teens
and teens alike.