Nina

starred review

  Some storytellers use words to entertain listeners and readers, while others share their tales in song. Nina: A Story of Nina Simone gracefully brings the life of one such legendary musician into readers hearts. . . Traci N. Todd s straightforward narration is honest and candid . . . [and] fans of Caldecott Honor illustrator Christian Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street, The Bench) will immediately recognize the bold, distinct shapes that are his hallmark. Robinson outdoes himself here . . . reflecting on the strength, hope and revolution she conveyed in her music. BookPage, starred review

  Todd ends her unflinching narrative with a perfectly placed, direct-address line: And when she sang of Black children you lovely, precious dreams her voiced sounded like hope. This unexpected, yet needed, outpouring of love is the perfect end to a stunning book. Horn Book Review, starred review

  Compelling and eloquent Amplifying Nina's humanity is Robinson's signature acrylic paint and collage art (Last Stop on Market Street; Milo Imagines the World), which always hums and thrums with life Robinson creates stunning visual music for Traci N. Todd's vibrant picture book biography of the great musician Nina Simone. Shelf Awareness, starred review

  Discussions of racism and resistance are undertaken with a skillful hand, not exceeding the tone or maturity level appropriate for young readers. Robinson s jewel-tone artwork is colorful, engaging, and complements Todd s lyrical text . . . An excellent and magnetic biography, this book is highly recommended in all elementary collections and should be considered for libraries serving older students. School Library Journal, starred review

Luminous . . . [and] visually rapturous . . . Robinson imbues Nina with sumptuous colors . . . His elegantly simple figures recall the work of Ezra Jack Keats and occasionally Charles M. Schulz. . . Simone s precocity, which shines through . . . is nurtured in intimate moments sitting on her father s lap at the keyboard, letting him guide her as they play good-time jazz together, and on Sundays when she provides the rhythmic and rolling accompaniment to her minister mother s sermons. Todd brings nuance to Simone s musicianship in ways that should prove instructive to curious young readers. . . The journey to merge her astonishing virtuosity and professional achievements with her bold activism is summed up by the arresting portrait of the artist seated at her baby grand and flanked by four little Black girls. The New York Times Book Review

Todd moves effortlessly between silky narration marked by subtle wordplay, and pointed references to Simone s musical activism. Robinson s collage compositions convey critical civil rights context in scenes playing out atop Simone s grand piano strings, often fiery images that contrast with the pictures of Simone s childhood origin story and her front-stage panache. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books