by Carole Boston Weatherford (Author) Frank Morrison (Illustrator)
From a New York Times bestselling author and an acclaimed illustrator comes this vibrant portrait of Aretha Franklin that pays her the R-E-S-P-E-C-T this Queen of Soul deserves.
Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father's Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves.
Her string of hit songs earned her the title "the Queen of Soul," multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn't just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights.
This authoritative, rhythmic picture book biography will captivate young readers with Aretha's inspiring story.
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Riffing on the memorably sung spelling of Franklin's hit "Respect," each spread of this picture book biography pairs a single word with a rhyming couplet to trace the sweep of Franklin's life: "T-A-L-E-N-T/ Young Aretha's solos soar with artistry./ Her wise father senses his daughter's destiny." Though the rhymes skew pat ("Aretha's crowned as Queen of Soul, our own royalty./ She wins awards and accolades, and more than one degree"), Weatherford presents an overview of key moments in the notable singer's life, particularly her contributions to the civil rights movement. Morrison's rich illustrations use a stylized realism to depict Franklin's trajectory from preacher's daughter to beloved icon, building to the rapt faces of Barack and Michelle Obama watching as Franklin sings at the 2009 U.S. presidential inauguration. Back matter includes a list of Franklin's hit songs and a detailed biography. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)
Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.PreS-Gr 3—Weatherford, using rhyming couplets to explain important words from Aretha Franklin's life (Detroit, groove, proud, and humble) as she chronicles the Queen of Soul's childhood, her rising stardom, and her political activism. Readers who are craving in-depth details about Franklin can turn to the author's note or other sources, but this book is not a meticulous biography. Rather, Weatherford presents a powerful celebration of the legendary singer that offers snapshots of major life events. Morrison's colorful paintings pulse with energy, and every page is dynamic. The interplay between the deceptively simple narrative and Morrison's illustrations is pitch-perfect. For example, the pages for "Detroit" (the family moves from Memphis, TN) and "Strife" (Barbara Franklin leaves the family after her husband's infidelity) mirror each other to powerful effect: The family stands before a large tree to "put down roots" in each spread, but Barbara is absent in the artwork for "Strife." This beautiful picture book biography packs an emotional punch that is as compelling as the timeless songs that Franklin made famous. VERDICT Purchase this luscious, lyrical book for all nonfiction collections.—Jen McConnel, Queen's Univ., Ont.
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.