Where Are All the Black Female Composers?
By: Nathan Holder
Illustrated by Charity Russell
About: A compilation of information about Black women composers, each with a feature and an original portrait by Charity Russell.
Featured artists: Chiquinha Gonzaga, Nora Holt, Florence Price, Eva Jessye, Shirley Graham Du Bois, Avril Coleridge-Taylor, Undine Smith Moore, Irene Britton Smith, Zenobia Powell Perry, Margaret Bonds, Julia Perry, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Tania León, Eleanor Alberga, Cynthia Cozette Lee, Regina Harris Baiocchi, Pamela Z, Shirley J Thompson, Errollyn Wallen, Nkeiru Okoye, and Cassie Kinoshi.
Recommended age range: 6 and up
Where to buy: Nate Holder
Published: 2020
Nate Holder links: Website
Charity Russell links:
Red Bird Sings:
The Story of Zitkala-Ša,
Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
By: Gina Capaldi and Q. L. Pearce
Illustrated by Gina Capaldi
About: Zitkala-Ša was a Native American composer, musician, and activist who was forced to part ways with her culture but was able to reconnect with her heritage through music.
Featured artist: Zitkala-Ša
Recommended age range: 8 and up
Where to buy it: Birchbark
Published: 2019
Gina Capaldi links:
Q. L. Pearce links:
When Marian Sang
By: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Illustrated by Brian Selznick
About: Marian Anderson captivated an integrated audience of over 75,000 people at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. Her voice crossed the barriers of racism to move audiences of all creeds and colors.
Featured artist: Marian Anderson
Recommended age range: 7 and up
Where to buy it: Indiebound
Published: 2002
Pam Muñoz Ryan links: Website
Brian Selznick links:
For the Love of Music:
The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart
By: Elizabeth Rusch
Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
About: Maria Anna Mozart was one of Europe’s finest pianists by age 12. A child prodigy like her brother, she toured and shared her music as a young girl; however, unlike Wolfgang, she was discouraged from continuing to pursue music into adulthood. Read about her journey to continue playing music despite this double standard.
Featured artist: Maria Anna Mozart
Recommended age range: 5+
Where to buy it: Penguin
Published: 2011
Elizabeth Rusch links:
Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher links: Website
Leontyne Price:
Voice of a Century
By: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Raul Colón
About: Mississippi native Leontyne Price faced racism, poverty, and several more intersectional obstacles on her path to becoming a beloved star of the opera stage. This is the story of she came to be the world’s most famous “Aida.”
Featured artist: Leontyne Price
Recommended age range: 5 and up
Where to buy it: Better World Books
Published: 2014
Carole Boston Weatherford links:
Raul Colón links: Website
Nina:
Jazz Legend and Civil Rights Activist
By: Alice Brière-Haquet
Illustrated by Bruno Liance
About: Written in the form of a lullaby, this poignant picture book offers a melodic tale that is both a historic account of the iconic Nina Simone and a look at how far we've come and how far we still need to go for social justice and equality.
Featured artist: Nina Simone
Recommended age range: 4 and up
Where to buy it: Thriftbooks
Published: 2017
Alice Brière-Haquet links:
Bruno Liance links:
Dancing Hands:
How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln
By: Margarita Engle
Illustrated by Rafael López
About: The story of a child prodigy and Venezuelan refugee who came to the United States in search of a better life, and whose talent and passion led her to a solo performance at the White House during the Civil War.
Featured artist: Teresa Carreño
Recommended age range: 4 and up
Where to buy it: Kidsbooks
Published: 2019
Margarita Engle links:
Rafael Lopez links:
Strange Fruit:
Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song
By: Gary Golio
Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb
About: Billie Holiday was a Black woman born to two Jewish parents. She used her music to both entertain and educate audiences about the atrocities and injustices of racism. Her first performance of the song “Strange Fruit” changed her life forever.
Featured artist: Billie Holiday
Recommended age range: 8 and up
Where to buy it: Thriftbooks
Published: 2017
Gary Golio links: Website
Charlotte Riley-Webb links: Website