Nina

A BIG ISSUE BOOK OF THE YEARLonglisted for the UKLA Book AwardsThis illuminating and defining biography from bestselling author Traci N. Todd, with illustrations from award-winner Christian Robinson, tells the story of Eunice Waymon, who grew up to become Nina Simone — and shares her bold, defiant, and exultant legacy with a new generation.With passion and unparalleled skill, Traci N. Todd and Christian Robinson bring this iconic singer’s story to young readers and their families. Meet young Eunice, who sang before she could talk, and journey with her from the piano stool she shared with her father in her childhood home, to the bars and concert halls where she became the one and only Nina Simone.Learn about how Nina’s voice started out rich and sweet but grew to a thunderous roar as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam. Witness this artist in all her brilliance, singing in protest against racial inequality and discrimination. With rhythmic prose and masterful images, Nina perfectly demonstrates the relationship between art and activism. An essential addition to every young reader’s library.

'This celebration of Simone’s extraordinary life, career, and activism, written in soaring song-like cadences, and heightened by warm, expressive illustrations, packs enormous meaning and impact into a brief, beautiful picture-book biography for ages six plus.', ‘Enlightening … Robinson’s pictures paint vivid images that undertone the harsh reality of life for black people in America ... this biography should be a fundamental piece of every young reader’s book collection.’, ‘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.’, ‘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.’, ‘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.’

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 Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex’s The Bench, 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.