PAUL'S PICK The sooner we can learn about Nina Simone, the better. A brightly illustrated biography of the High Priestess of Soul's beginnings in North Carolina as she demonstrates her early skills to her family, church and first teachers. American civil rights develop alongside her education and career, showing little readers what it means to believe in yourself and the power of your own voice. -PDThis luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy.Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in small town North Carolina, Nina Simone was a musical child. She sang before she talked and learned to play piano at a very young age. With the support of her family and community, she received music lessons that introduced her to classical composers like Bach who remained with her and influenced her music throughout her life. She loved the way his music began softly and then tumbled to thunder, like her mother's preaching, and in much the same way as her career. During her first performances under the name of Nina Simone her voice was rich and sweet but as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam, Nina's voice soon became a thunderous roar as she raised her voice in powerful protest in the fight against racial inequality and discrimination. Hardcover | Ages 4-8 | 56 pages | 8.81" x 10.81"
