Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, “wasn’t the first Waymon child, or the last, but she was the only one who sang before she could talk and found rhythm before she could walk.” Her father taught her jazz on the piano; her mother, who sang all the time, approved only of church music. Eunice was aware of racism from a young age; she once refused to play at a recital until her parents, made to relinquish their front row seats for a white couple, were given them back. After attending Julliard, she gave up music for a time, worried racism would stymie her career, but she couldn’t stay away. She changed her name to Nina Simone so her mama wouldn’t know she was singing in a nightclub. Her first record brought fame that she eventually channeled into a career dedicated to voicing the pain and struggle and joy of being Black in America. “Nina Simone sang the whole story of Black America for everyone to hear.” Writing that pulses with appreciation, along with dynamic illustrations created with acrylics and collage, make for an enlightening picture book about this singular activist entertainer. A lengthy biographical narrative is provided at volume’s end.
(Ages 8-11)

A 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Honoree!
 
This luminous, defining picture book biography illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, tells the remarkable and inspiring story of acclaimed singer Nina Simone and her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy.

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.