Five Beautiful Books to Inspire Young Musicians

I don't know about you, but in my family I'm known as the "book-giving aunt." It's a title I've earned through years of... well... making it a point to find the perfect books for the little ones in my circle. While most of the kids I am shopping for these days are old enough for chapter books, I still love browsing the picture book section of whatever book shop I find myself in. Heck, I've even been known to buy them for adults in my life as whimsical additions to their otherwise adult coffee tables.

Here are five of my favorite books about women who used their musical talents to break down barriers in their lives and in society at large.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone is a fun picture book about the trailblazing jazz musician and arranger Melba Liston, starting with her childhood in Kansas City, Missouri, during the Great Depression, following her through her adult years as a trombone player in various bands, and then to her work as a music arranger and teacher. It's an excellent choice for early readers, or storytime for younger kids.

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Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa is an elegant, dreamlike book telling the story of Ella Fitzgerald's musical life and career.

It earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for its story of a downtrodden girl with a dream she refuses to give up, showing us the power of determination and hard work. This book is ideal for middle grade readers, but the artwork makes it an enchanting bedtime read for younger children as well. It's so beautiful it would make a good coffee table book for adult fans of this legendary singer.

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Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
by Renee Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills tells the story of a young woman with a beautiful voice -- which she used for singing and for speaking out about injustice.

It earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for its portrayal of a brave woman determined to improve the lives of others. This book is a great early reader with clear language and colorful illustrations that perfectly capture each part of the story. It touches on issues around racism and shows how Florence fought against them at every turn in a way that even younger children can understand.

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A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers
by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Raúl Colón

A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers is a beautiful story recounting an important piece of American history. Written as an old family story handed down through generations in the African American oral tradition, now being told to a child by her favorite aunt, the warmth of connection is easy to feel in this book.

It wins the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for addressing the plain truths about post-slavery racism head-on, but in a way that small children can handle.

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My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz
by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rafael Lopez

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz is my favorite of the many children's books I've read in the last couple years. Rafael Lopez' illustrations are bright and colorful and perfectly capture the joy of life in Celia's music.

The story is told in English and Spanish, with each on the same page, making this a great book for bi-lingual kids, or kids who are learning a second language. It's a book that's great for middle-grade readers to enjoy on their own, but it is also perfect as a book for younger kids sitting on mom or dad's lap, swaying to the music.

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Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by J. Brian Pinkney

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa (Amazon / Library) is an elegant, almost dreamlike book telling the story of Ella Fitzgerald's musical life and career.

Artistic partners and spouses Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney join forces again in this exquisite tribute to the life of a musical icon. Andrea's prose pulls us in to share in her joys and heartbreaks while we are carried along by Brian's beautiful artwork. Bother words and art magically melding together in a mesmerizing masterpiece.

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa (Amazon / Library) earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for telling the story of a downtrodden girl with a dream she refuses to give up, showing us the power of determination and hard work. This book is ideal for middle grade readers, but the artwork makes it an enchanting storytime or bedtime read for younger children as well. Heck, it's so beautiful, it would make a good coffee table book for adult fans of this legendary singer.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

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Little Melba and her big trombone

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Bookshop / Amazon / Library) is a fun picture book about the trailblazing jazz musician and arranger Melba Liston, starting with her childhood in Kansas City, Missouri, during the Great Depression, following her through her adult years as a trombone player in various bands, and then to her work as a music arranger and teacher.

When I read the story of Melba requesting a trombone at the age of 7, my first thought was What is a little girl going to do with such a big instrument? She's going to a whole lot, that's what! She was surrounded by music growing up, and with the support of her parents she was able to explore her natural talent.

Katheryn Russell-Brown's writing brilliantly captures the swinging rhythm of the big band era. Frank Morrison's colorful artwork grabs your attention with its warmth and movement. Looking at each page I can almost feel the warm sun of a summer day on the streets of Kansas City; feel the excitement of this young virtuoso as she stretches herself toward her goal; and head the music of life in this vibrant community.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Bookshop / Amazon / Library) earned the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for showing us how even a little girl can make her big dream come true with a lot of work and a little luck. This book is an excellent choice for early readers interested in music, as well as an enjoyable storytime or bedtime book for younger kids.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

I can't do the work of SRPS without your your support!
If you like what you read, please share this post with your friends.

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Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song

Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song (Amazon / Library) is an absolutely beautiful book celebrating the life and art of these two extraordinary voices in American history: civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, a phenomenal husband and wife team, join their two talents in what I am convinced in a work of passion for them both. Andrea Davis Pinkney's prose is magical, lifting the reader out of reality and carrying us along on the journey of these two historic figures. And Brain Pinkney's artwork makes this book an almost spiritual experience.

Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song (Amazon / Library) wins the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for showing the power of a single voice to inspire a nation, and how the joining of two remarkable voices change the world. This book is a beautiful bedtime story for younger children, as well as an excellent choice for early and middle grade readers.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

I can't do the work of SRPS without your your support!
If you like what you read, please share this post with your friends.

Read More

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
by Renée Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills tells the story of a young woman with a beautiful voice -- which she used for singing and for speaking out about injustice.

I didn't know anything about Florence Mills or her family of singers, and it was a real treat to be introduced to her in this beautiful book. This book starts with her early childhood, showing the challenges faced by her family. Her parents -- who had been slaves -- and her siblings used music to escape grinding poverty by performing around the region.

As Florence got older, she became a musical celebrity on her own. But she was not content. She wanted to use her voice to do more than entertain -- she wanted to change the world. And she did.

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills (Library) earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for telling the story of a brave woman who was determined to improve the lives of others. Her courage and certainty that she was on the right side of the issue is an inspiration to us all. This book is a great early reader with clear language and colorful illustrations that perfectly capture each part of the story. It touches on issues around racism and shows how Florence fought against them at every turn in a way that even younger children can understand.

I can't do the work of SRPS without your your support!
If you like what you read, please share this post with your friends.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post.]

Read More

A Band of Angels

A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers
by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Raúl Colón

A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers (Bookshop / Amazon / Library) is a beautiful story recounting an important piece of American history. Written as if it were an old family story, handed down through generations in the African American oral tradition, now being told to a child by her favorite aunt, the warmth of connection is easy to feel in this book.

It tells the story of the Jubilee Singers, and in particular the story of the fictionalized main character Ella, inspired by the real life Ella Sheppard Moore, as she travels to attend Fisk, the newly opened school for former slaves, to study music. In hopes of raising money for Fisk, her music teacher took several students on a singing tour. At first, they mainly performed the songs that were popular at the time, but that didn't seem to garner them much attention, or fund.

But Ella, somewhat despondent, opened what may have been one of their last performances with an old spiritual she grew up hearing other slaves singing. When the other performers joined in the crowd went wild. They changed their performances to singing the heart-felt songs of trial and hope, and their tour continued, successfully raising enough money to save the school. And in doing so, they introduced spirituals to the world, and helped preserve them for history.

A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers (Bookshop / Amazon / Library) wins the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for addressing the plain truths about post-slavery racism head-on, but in a way that small children can handle. The struggles of the Jubilee Singers, their optimism, their near-failure, and then their stumbling on the key to their success is an excellent lesson in the importance of hope and determination. This book is good for middle grade readers to enjoy on their own, or for smaller children to read with an adult.

[Note: I have included affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

I can't do the work of SRPS without your your support!
If you like what you read, please share this post with your friends.

Read More