8.03.2020

A Voice Named Aretha

Bloomsbury Children's Books
(pub. 1.7.2020) 
40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: 
Katheryn Russell-Brown
       and illustrator:  Laura Freeman
 
C haracter: Aretha Franklin

O
 verview
      
"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."
T antalizing taste: 

     "Aretha and her brothers and sisters loved singing in church, clapping along with the organ, drums, and tambourines. Each  young Franklin wanted to shine bright for Daddy.
     Little Aretha had the biggest voice of all. She sang soulful trills and powerful riffs with a deep, easy feeling, well beyond her years. No doubt about it, Aretha was the star child."

And something more: The "More about the Queen of Soul" at the back of the book explains that "In 2019, Aretha was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize, special citation, 'for her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades.'" 
     In "A Note from the Author", Katheryn Russell-Brown writes: "I grew up in the late sixties in a home with lots of albums. A few hundred R&B and jazz LPs lined the walls of our Harlem living room. The ones in heavy rotation were spread about on the shag carpet." 
    I was touched by her dedication: "To my mother, Tanya H. Russell (1938-2014), who said many times, with a twinkle in her eye, that she would know she had 'died and gone to heaven' if she could sing backup for Aretha. I have vivid, warm memories of us singing Aretha's songs together - at the top of our lungs. - K. R-B."

4 comments:

June McCrary Jacobs said...

I must read this book! I've been a fan of Aretha Franklin's music for decades, and this book sounds beautiful. I did not know that she won a Pulitzer Prize -- another great honor for an artist who brought so much joy to so many lives. Thanks for this great post! :0}

Max @ Completely Full Bookshelf said...

This sounds like a great book! What a neat way to introduce Aretha Franklin and her music to a younger audience! Thanks for the great post!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

HI June,
As a fan, you will particularly enjoy this book. Yes, I always enjoy finding out more about the people featured in picture book biographies.
Thanks for stopping by!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Completely Full Bookshelf,
Yes, I found it fascinating to learn more about her childhood.
Thanks for stopping by!