‘Todd’s telling shines in this skillfully paced portrait of Eunice Kathleen Waymon — more widely known by her stage name of Nina Simone — which traces her journey from a piano-playing child in North Carolina to later years as a performer, protest song pioneer, and civil rights activist. In an elegantly told story, Todd interweaves Simone’s encounters with racism throughout, eventually paralleling Simone’s experiences with concurrent events during the civil rights movement … Caldecott Honoree Robinson contributes distinctive, carefully constructed vignettes of Simone rendered in acrylic paint, collage, and digitally in a predominantly earth-toned palette … An engaging, affecting, and powerful biography that aptly situates Simone’s enduring legacy in musical and social history. Back matter includes more about Simone and a bibliography.’
Publishers Weekly, starred review
‘Nina Simone’s beauty and talent is given prominent expression by multi-award-winning Robinson in this picture-book biography … while Todd’s prose eloquently tells her story from childhood to fame … A worthy biography for all collections and especially for those that serve music-loving children.’
Booklist, 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 recognise 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
‘The narrative includes details of the love and support of family and community that gave Nina her early start, the disappointments and humiliations she suffered because of racism, and the determination and sheer love of music and of her people that carried her to success despite the setbacks. Todd’s musical prose allows readers into Nina’s perspective, and Robinson’s scenes and portraits absolutely sing with energy, keeping pace perfectly with the text as it expands beyond typical picture-book length. Do not miss this complex story of an American legend.’
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Nina’s story is fascinating, and the author’s lively conversational style and choice of detail brings it vividly … well written and strikingly beautiful.’
Books for Keeps
‘In Todd we find a writer who carries the cadence of song, and in Robinson an illustrator who connects the simplicity of early days with the growing anger at segregation and the inequity of America as it was. There is a chic ‘50s jazz feel at times too. A beautiful and essential biography of a 20th-century icon.’
Jane Graham, Big Issue
‘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
? ‘Todd ends her unflinching narrative with a perfectly placed, direct-address line: “And when she sang of Black children—you lovely, precious dreams—her voice sounded like hope.” This unexpected, yet needed, outpouring of love is the perfect end to a stunning book.’
Horn Book
‘An incredibly poetic telling of Nina Simone’s life.’
Juno Magazine
‘Luminous … [and] visually rapturous … Robinson imbues Nina with sumptuous colours … His elegantly simple figures recall the work of Ezra Jack Keats and occasionally Charles M. Schulz … 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
‘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 colourful, 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
‘Evocatively illustrated … the prose is warmly poetic.’
Ink Pellet
‘Poetic.’
The School Librarian
‘Gorgeous … we loved discovering more of Nina’s story.’
The Green Parent
‘This is a fabulous biography — it’s full of rich, immersive details and accompanied by striking illustrations.’
@books_for_little_bookworms
‘Combined with stunning artwork, this is an essential biography to read!’
@father_teacher_reader
‘A brilliant biography to introduce readers to Nina, that would sit well in any classroom or home bookshelf.’
@educa8wirral
‘A really skilful and relatively wide-ranging look at Black history through the life of one singer.’
School Librarian
