Nina

A Story of Nina Simone

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

G.P. Putnam's Sons

(Penguin Random House)

(pub.9.28.2021) 56 pages

Author: Traci N. Todd

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

Character: Nina Simone

Overview: "Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in small town North Carolina, Nina Simone was a musical child. She sang before she talked and learned to play piano at a very young age. With the support of her family and community, she received music lessons that introduced her to classical composers like Bach who remained with her and influenced her music throughout her life. She loved the way his music began softly and then tumbled to thunder, like her mother's preaching, and in much the same way as her career.

During her first performances under the name of Nina Simone her voice was rich and sweet but as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam, Nina's voice soon became a thunderous roar as she raised her voice in powerful protest in the fight against racial inequality and discrimination."

Tantalizing taste:

"Nina's voice broke with the weight of this new music. It was harder now, rough, defiant.

Black people loved her for it. They had always loved her. But now, as they sat at lunch counters, demanding to be served; rode buses, demanding to be seated; and marched, demanding good jobs for good pay - they knew how much she truly loved them."

And something more: Traci N. Todd shares in the About Nina Simone section: "My father, a civil rights leader in his own right, introduced me to the music of Nina Simone. He first heard her music playing in a gas station in Alabama. The song was 'I Loves You, Porgy,' from George and Ira Gershwin's musical Porgy and Bess. When my father asked the gas station attendant who was singing, the attendant replied, 'I don't know if it's Nine-ah Simon or Nina Simone, but she sure can sing.' I've heard that story so often, it feels like part of who I am. So does the music of Nina Simone."

Thank You Notes & Artwork

I always love receiving children's artwork and stories inspired by my books. And thank you notes are so touching! Here's a note and snippet from a book created by Tristan H., the son of my friend, Judy.

Dorothy & Herbert

An Ordinary Couple and Their Extraordinary Collection of Art

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Cameron Kids

(Abrams)

(pub.10.19.2021) 40 pages

Author: Jackie Azua Kramer

Illustrator: Julia Breckenreid

Characters: Dorothy Vogel

and Herbert Vogel

Overview: "In the heart of Manhattan lived a librarian and a postal clerk who loved art so much that they collected it. Over the years, Dorothy and Herbert brought home hundreds of works of art—from little-known SoHo artists to luminaries such as Sol LeWitt, Chuck Close and Christo and Jeanne-Claude—to their small, empty-walled apartment, much to the curiosity and delight of their eight cats and tank of fish. Their passion for art and support of artists was so impressive, Dorothy and Herbert became famous themselves. And when they gifted their extraordinary collection to the National Gallery of Art, their art became ours, inspiring new generations of artists."

Tantalizing taste:

"If Dorothy and Herbert liked the art,

could carry it in a cab or subway ...

move it up the elevator,

and fit it into

their tiny Upper East Side apartment,

they bought it.

They even traded cat-sitting for a collage

from an artist couple."

And something more: Jackie Azua Kramer explains in the Author's Note : Herbert and Dorothy "felt enjoying art is about discovering things that you find fun to look at. Their favorite was minimalist and conceptional art...Beginning in the 1960s, they bought and collected thousands of sculptures, paintings, mobiles, and drawings... The art was placed everywhere in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment, including the kitchen, bathroom, inside closets, under the bed, and even on the ceiling!"

Julie Breckenreid shares in the Illustrator's Note: "These extraordinary people were passionate about supporting artists, so curious and joyful in their pursuit of understanding new ideas. This, coupled with their generosity, is so important for kids (big and small) to know about. Fostering curiosity about the world and being open to different people's perspectives is imperative... Showing you how I think through the images I create is important to me - I like to thin of it as a puzzle for you to solve - and it's my way of telling a story! My hope is that when you read this book, you'll see something new each time. If you're wondering about who some of the artist are in the illustrations, please have a look at my website for their names and where you can find their works." I highly recommend checking it out! I loved learning that the "The bathroom walls swayed and shimmied in red dots and yellow squiggles" referred to Sol LeWitt's art.