Transcript of “Nina Simone Book for Children”
Nina Simone was one of the most iconic, beguiling performers of her generation.
She was born in 1933 in tiny Tryon, North Carolina, and at an early age she fell in love with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
And she also accompanied her mother, who was a minister, playing gospel music in the local church.
And later the townsfolk took up a collection to send her to study at Juilliard in New York City.
And eventually, although she was trained as a classical musician, she had to support herself.
And so she began singing in nightclubs, and it turned out that she was absolutely mesmerizing.
She ended up touring the entire world and recording lots of records.
And her song, Young, Gifted, and Black, became an anthem of the civil rights struggle.
And her story is told in the children’s picture book called Nina, A Story of Nina Simone.
It’s by children’s book editor Tracy N. Todd, and it’s illustrated by Christian Robinson.
And Simone’s life story is a complicated one about persisting against immense challenges.
And finding often this hard-edged, defiant voice of protest against racial injustice.
And Todd does a wonderful job of distilling all this down into an inspiring story for children.
And if you know the children’s book Last Stop on Market Street by Matt DeLaPena, which won a Newbery Medal and a Caldecott Honor a few years ago,
The illustrator Christian Robinson illustrated this one as well, so you know it’s a beautiful book.
And what’s also super cool about this book for children is it includes an afterword with a more detailed account of her life.
And a bibliography that’s really helpful if you want to start exploring more about Nina Simone’s life.
So the book is Nina, A Story of Nina Simone.
Oh, that’s lovely.
Thank you, Martha.
And we’d love to hear your book recommendations for kids or anyone.
Or email words@waywordradio.org.
