About This Book

A picture book that shines light on the indomitable life of one of the most influential American folksingers in the history of our country.

In the spirit of When Marian Sang, this book introduces young readers to Odetta, an American folk legend. Lyrical text and striking paintings tell the story of the incredible singer whose life and works inspired such icons as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Tracy Chapman. The book comes from the author's long and fruitful artistic relationship with Odetta and is based on personal dialogues he had with her before her death in December 2008.

She was a beautiful girl who plunged head-first into the world with a song to sing. Born in Birmingham, this child soon learned to make a whole heap of noise on her auntie's piano. Then she discovered her own instrument - a voice full of brass and thunder! And, oh, did she have a song to sing - spirituals, gospels, work songs. She sang joy. She sang sorrow and struggle. She sang triumph. Her songs told stories of America's history. And, with the help of Baby, her guitar, Odetta blazed a musical trail that served as the roadmap for many folksingers who followed in her footsteps. Presented with luminous paintings and a poetic narrative, the life and times of folk music's queen, will leave readers strumming.