A Voice Named Aretha

by Katheryn Russell-Brown, Laura Freeman (Illustrator)

Overview

From acclaimed author and illustrator pairing comes a beautiful picture book biography about the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and how she fought for respect throughout her life.

Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul, a legend. But before she became a star, she was a shy little girl with a voice so powerful it made people jump up, sway, and hum along.

Raised in a house full of talking and singing, Aretha learned the values that would carry her through life—from her church choir in Detroit to stages across the world. When she moved to New York City to start her career, it took years of hard work before she had a hit song. In the turbulent 1960s, she sang about "Respect" and refused to perform before segregated audiences. The first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Aretha always remembered who she was and where she came from.

In this stirring biography of a true artistic and social icon, award-winning creators Katheryn Russell-Brown and Laura Freeman show young readers how Aretha's talent, intelligence, and perseverance made her a star who will shine on for generations to come.

Acclaim for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone

2015 NAACP Image Award Nominee Outstanding Literary Work—Children

2015 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor

2015 ALA Notable Children's Book

2015 Amelia Bloomer Project - Feminist Task Force

2015 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction, Recommended Title

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681198507
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Originally from New York City, Laura Freeman now lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children. She received her BFA from the School of Visual Arts and has illustrated over thirty children’s books, including the Coretta Scott King Honor book Hidden Figures written by Margot Lee Shetterly, the Nikki & Deja series by Karen English, and Fancy Party Gowns by Deborah Blumenthal.

Editorial Reviews

An excellent introduction to an American icon.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“This richly detailed look at the Queen of Soul is an essential biography of an American icon.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“This beautifully illustrated look at the life of the world-renowned Queen of Soul is a sensational introduction for young readers to the artist's life and body of work.” —Booklist

“Hits the highlights of Franklin's life. . . . Freeman's illustrations . . . capture much of the body language, facial expression, and head-thrown-back joy associated with Franklin's performance.” —BCCB

“Franklin's ongoing support of civil rights is a recurring theme.…Freeman's clear, crisp illustrations add welcome vibrancy to the text's straightforward narrative style.” —Publishers Weekly

“Russell-Brown's debut text has an innate musicality, mixing judicious use of onomatopoeia with often sonorous prose.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on LITTLE MELBA AND HER BIG TROMBONE

“An excellent match of breezy text and dynamic illustrations tells an exhilarating story.” —Starred review, School Library Journal on LITTLE MELBA AND HER BIG TROMBONE

“Staccato rhythms pepper the fluid prose.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on LITTLE MELBA AND HER BIG TROMBONE

From the Publisher

★ 2019-08-28
"Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin was once a shy child afraid to sing in front of a large audience. However, she came to learn that through music, she could ease her own pain and help others.

This thoughtfully illustrated biography of Aretha Franklin paints a clear picture of the artist from the time she was a child grappling with the loss of her mother in 1952 through refusing to sing before segregated audiences during the 1960s to winning multiple awards and honors. The narrative covers Aretha's introduction to entertainers like Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald as well as to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—all were often visitors of her father, famed preacher C.L. Franklin, at their Detroit, Michigan, home. The book moves fluidly through one phase of Aretha's life and career to the next. The illustrations are vivid, and those of Aretha singing are full of emotion. Aretha is often dressed in gold to signify her queenly stature, and Freeman hides small crowns throughout the pages, often on Aretha herself. The final spread, featuring four overlapping, sequential images of Aretha Franklin at different stages in her music career against a white background, is especially well done and even moving. The backmatter begins with a two-page spread of photographs and more information about Aretha's life; it's followed by a list of songs that younger listeners can look up and hear for themselves.

An excellent introduction to an American icon. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews