Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustration Award! From a New York Times bestselling and ALSC Children’s Literature Legacy Award–winning author and an acclaimed illustrator comes this vibrant portrait of Aretha Franklin that pays her the R-E-S-P-E-C-T this Queen of Soul deserves. Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father’s Detroit church where her soaring voice spanned more than three octaves. Her string of hit songs earned her the title “the Queen of Soul,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But Aretha didn’t just raise her voice in song, she also spoke out against injustice and fought for civil rights. This authoritative, rhythmic, Coretta Scott King Illustration Award–winning picture book biography will captivate young readers with Aretha’s inspiring story. PreS-Gr 3-Weatherford, using rhyming couplets to explain important words from Aretha Franklin's life (Detroit, groove, proud, and humble) as she chronicles the Queen of Soul's childhood, her rising stardom, and her political activism. Readers who are craving in-depth details about Franklin can turn to the author's note or other sources, but this book is not a meticulous biography. Rather, Weatherford presents a powerful celebration of the legendary singer that offers snapshots of major life events. Morrison's colorful paintings pulse with energy, and every page is dynamic. The interplay between the deceptively simple narrative and Morrison's illustrations is pitch-perfect. For example, the pages for "Detroit" (the family moves from Memphis, TN) and "Strife" (Barbara Franklin leaves the family after her husband's infidelity) mirror each other to powerful effect: The family stands before a large tree to "put down roots" in each spread, but Barbara is absent in the artwork for "Strife." This beautiful picture book biography packs an emotional punch that is as compelling as the timeless songs that Franklin made famous. VERDICT Purchase this luscious, lyrical book for all nonfiction collections.-Jen McConnel, Queen's Univ., Ont.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. * “The interplay between the deceptively simple narrative and Morrison’s illustrations is pitch-perfect. This beautiful picture book biography packs an emotional punch that is as compelling as the timeless songs that Franklin made famous.” -- School Library Journal, STARRED Review * "The award-winning author-illustrator team of Weatherford and Morrison have taken on the life story of the Queen of Soul, and the result is a beautiful work of art." -- Booklist, STARRED review “Weatherford presents an overview of key moments in the notable singer’s life, particularly her contributions to the civil rights movement. Morrison’s rich illustrations use a stylized realism to depict Franklin’s trajectory from preacher’s daughter to beloved icon.” -- Publishers Weekly Carole Boston Weatherford is an ALSC Children’s Literature Legacy Award winner, an honor given to an author or illustrator who has made a substantial and lasting contribution to children’s literature. Her award-winning books include Kin , illustrated by her son Jeffery and a Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient; Box , which won a Newbery Honor; Unspeakable , which won the Coretta Scott King Award, a Caldecott Honor, and was a finalist for the National Book Award; Respect: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul , winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award; ALA Notable Children’s Book You Can Fly ; and Caldecott Honor winners Freedom in Congo Square ; Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement ; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom . Carole lives in North Carolina. Visit her at CBWeatherford.com. Frank Morrison is the award-winning illustrator of many books for young readers, including Jazzy Miz Mozetta , winner of the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent; Little Melba and Her Big Trombone , a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor book; Muhammad Ali ; and How Sweet the Sound. Before becoming a children’s book illustrator and fine artist, Morrison toured the globe as a break-dancer. He lives in Georgia with his family. Visit him at MorrisonGraphics.com.