Odetta

The Queen of Folk

This post is part of Nonfiction Monday 

hosted today by Practically Paradise

Scholastic House
(pub. 12.1.2010)  40 pages

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top
  
A uthor of the idea and Illustrator: Stephen Alcorn

      and Poem: Samantha Thornhill 

C haracter: Odetta

 

O verview from the jacket flap: 

        "Born in Birmingham, Alabama, this child soon learned to make a whole heap of noise on her auntie's piano. Then she discovered her own instrument - a voice full of brass and thunder! And, oh, did she have songs to sing - spirituals gospel, and work songs. With the help of Baby her guitar, Odetta blazed a musical trail for a generation of folksingers. Her life and times are presented here in a poetic narrative embellished with luminous paintings that create a loving tribute to folk music's queen."

 

T antalizing taste:

       "Odetta found freedom by accident the day she opened her mouth, then closed her eyes and sang. For once she saw no color. That's when she shook hands with Harmony!"

and something more: "Ode to Odetta" at the end of Odetta - The Queen of Folk includes a wonderful photo of Odetta and Stephen Alcorn taken by his wife, Sabina Alcorn.  I was fascinated to learn that "Odetta is the one Bob Dylan credits for his decision (made while still a teenager) to trade in his electric guitar for an acoustic one, thus heralding his entry into the realm of folk music."  What a gift that was to music!