By Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden, Illustrated By Hayden Goodman
Published by Anne Schwartz Books, an Imprint of Random House 2023
Picture Book, 40 pages, 4 – 8 years
Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack recounts her childhood in a home surrounded by music and love: it all started with a beat-up piano that her father found in a junkyard, repaired, and painted green.
Roberta Flack grew up in a Blue Ridge mountain town. She didn’t have fancy clothes or expensive toys, but she had a loving family, music, and a dream of having her own piano.
Her daddy found an old, beat-up piano in a junkyard, and knew he could fix it and make his daughter’s dream come true. He ground it home and worked on it until all the repairs were finished then painted it a grassy green!
Soon Roberta had an instrument to practice on, and a new dream to reach for – one that will make her become a legend in the music industry.
She took piano lessons and practiced and practiced and her talent began to shine!
Here is a lyrical picture book – perfect for aspiring piano players and singers – that shares an intimate look at Roberta Flack’s family and her connection to music. The illustrations lend a cozy warm family atmosphere and epitomizes the love of family and what you can accomplish with hard work and motivation.
Having grown up listening to her music it was equally fun to read her notes in back and see the highlights of Roberta Flack’s accomplishments. Will your kids love this book? Absolutely yes. The illustrations coupled with the text will captivate all, whether you like music or not.
The Green Piano, How Little Me Found Music by Roberta Flack with Tanya Bolden receives 5 stars from this reviewer.