Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten

(Hardback)

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Description

Elizabeth Cotten was only a little girl when she picked up a guitar for the first time. It wasnt hers, it was her big brothers and it wasnt strung right, she was left-handed. But she flipped that guitar upside down and backwards and taught herself how to play it anyway. By eleven, shed written 'Freight Train,' one of the most famous folk songs. And by the end of her life, everyone from the California beaches to the rolling hills of England knew her music. This lyrical, loving book from acclaimed singer-songwriter Laura Veirs and debut illustrator Tatyana Fazlalizadeh tells the story of the determined, gifted, daring Elizabeth Cotten one of the most celebrated American folk musicians of all time.

Reviews

"[An] inspiring love song to an American talent who always kept rolling."-- Shelf Awareness
"A strong picture-book biography profiling a notable African American musician and songwriter."- Booklist
"A tale of music, determination, and kindness in language simple enough for early readers and lively enough to make it a good choice for read-aloud -- and maybe a sing-along or two." --Common Sense Media
"An inspiring tale of an artist who came into her own later in life."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"An utterly fresh take on a holiday tradition that can seem too mushy and too-commercial." --Common Sense Media
"Elegant and moving."-Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Lovely and inspiring." --Cool Mom Picks
"Singer-songwriter Laura Veirs and up-and-coming illustrator Tatyana Fazlalizadeh illuminate the life of influential American folk musician Elizabeth Cotten."-- Real Simple
"Tells Cotten's story with simple, poetic language and lovely, subdued pencil drawings."-- GeekDad
"The message of never giving up on a dream, no matter the circumstances, will resonate deeply with readers."-School Library Journal, starred review
"What a wonderful tribute to an amazing and talented woman."-Laura Vaccaro Seeger, author of the Caldecott honor-winning books Green and First the Egg

Author Bio

Laura Veirs is a singer-songwriter and longtime fan of Elizabeth Cotten. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two sons. This is her first picture book.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh is based in Brooklyn, New York, and is an artist, activist, and the creator of Stop Telling Women to Smile. This is her first picture book.