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scribepub's review
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
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
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
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
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