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The late James Earl Jones was known for many things, but most of all for his acting and that incredible voice. But according to a new book, the actor didn’t always have the tough, confident voice he’s known for.

That’s the premise behind “Ode to Grapefruit,” a new children’s book that chronicles the actor’s journey to the big screen, including overcoming a stutter that left him speechless for nearly eight years as a child. His saving grace: poetry, specifically a self-penned poem that shares the book’s title.

The picture book, originally released in July, is back on the bestseller lists after news of Jones’ death was announced on Monday.

Available now at Amazon and Target, the 48-page picture book is not only an “Ode to Grapefruit” (the title of Jones’ poem), but also an ode to perseverance and pursuing your dreams. As the book puts it, “After eight years of silence, James found his voice, low and booming, beyond the dark side of fear. With patience and practice,” the book reads, “the legendary sound of James Earl Jones would soon be heard around the world.”

Written by Kari Lavelle, with full-color illustrations by Bryan Collier (winner of six Coretta Scott King Awards), “Ode to Grapefruit” is a beautiful tribute to an actor who became the voice of an entire franchise – and an entire generation.

As publisher Knopf Books writes: “Lyrical text, stunning illustrations, and a compelling background about stuttering combine to create a remarkable picture book about how a boy who refused to speak for eight years learned to control his stutter through poetry—and grew up to be an EGOT-winning artist with a voice few will forget.”

Buy the book James Earl Jones on sale now at Amazon. You can check out more books about the actor here. The actor also lent his voice to an audiobook of the King James Version of the New Testament. “James Earl Jones Reads the Bible” was an instant bestseller when it was released and is now back at number one on the charts. The audiobook contains over 19 hours of audio on 16 digitally remastered CDs, accompanied by an original musical score. You can also stream or download it on Audible.

Jones died Monday at his home in Duchess County, New York. He was 93.