Nina: A Story of Nina Simone

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.

Cover may vary.

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.

Author: Traci N. Todd
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/28/2021
Pages: 56
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.24lbs
Size: 10.80h x 8.92w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781524737283
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.2
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 512902 / Nina: A Story of Nina Simone


Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 07/05/2021
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2021
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2021
Booklist 08/01/2021 pg. 46
Shelf Awareness 10/01/2021
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2021 pg. 144
School Library Journal 11/01/2021 pg. 88

About the Author
When Chicago native Traci N. Todd was born, her father decided her initials should stand for dynamite, just like his. He raised her on Ray Charles and Nina Simone, and her mother read her every good book. Traci grew up to become a children's book editor and currently lives in Jackson Heights, Queens where she writes, edits, and listens to Ray Charles and Nina Simone, while her partner draws comic books.

Christian Robinson received a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for his art in Last Stop on Market Street. He is the author and illustrator of the picture books Another and You Matter, and he has illustrated many more, including Carmela Full of Wishes, the Gaston and Friends series, School's First Day of School, and The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade. You can visit Christian at theartoffun.com or on Instagram @theartoffun.