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Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten (Early Elementary Story Books, Children's Music Books, Biography Books for Kids) Hardcover – Picture Book, January 16, 2018

by Laura Veirs (Author), Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 66 ratings
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This lyrical, loving picture book from popular 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.

Elizabeth Cotten was only a little girl when she picked up a guitar for the first time. It wasn't hers (it was her big brother's), and it wasn't strung right for her (she was left-handed). But she flipped that guitar upside down and backwards and taught herself how to play it anyway. By age eleven, she'd written "Freight Train," one of the most famous folk songs of the twentieth century. And by the end of her life, people everywhere—from the sunny beaches of California to the rolling hills of England—knew her music.

A Junior Library Guild selection

★ "The message of never giving up on a dream, no matter the circumstances, will resonate deeply with readers—purchase for all picture book biography collections." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "An inspiring tale of an artist." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Elegant and moving."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    580L
  6. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.38 x 10.38 inches
  7. Publisher
    Chronicle Books
  8. Publication date
    January 16, 2018
  9. ISBN-10
    1452148570
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1452148571
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A strong picture-book biography profiling a notable African American musician and songwriter."- Booklist

"A strong picture-book biography profiling a notable African American musician and songwriter."- Booklist

"An inspiring tale of an artist who came into her own later in life."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"An inspiring tale of an artist who came into her own later in life."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"The message of never giving up on a dream, no matter the circumstances, will resonate deeply with readers."-School Library Journal, starred review

"The message of never giving up on a dream, no matter the circumstances, will resonate deeply with readers."-School Library Journal, starred review

"Lovely and inspiring." --Cool Mom Picks

"Lovely and inspiring." --Cool Mom Picks

"Fazlalizadeh's art . . . complements Veirs's unpretentious prose exquisitely, and the interplay between the two is seamless. . . . Should inspire young readers starting to pursue their own creative talents as well as the adults who share the book with them." -The Horn Book Magazine

"Fazlalizadeh's art . . . complements Veirs's unpretentious prose exquisitely, and the interplay between the two is seamless. . . . Should inspire young readers starting to pursue their own creative talents as well as the adults who share the book with them." -The Horn Book Magazine

"[An] inspiring love song to an American talent who always kept rolling."-- Shelf Awareness

"[An] inspiring love song to an American talent who always kept rolling."-- Shelf Awareness

"Singer-songwriter Laura Veirs and up-and-coming illustrator Tatyana Fazlalizadeh illuminate the life of influential American folk musician Elizabeth Cotten."-- Real Simple

"Singer-songwriter Laura Veirs and up-and-coming illustrator Tatyana Fazlalizadeh illuminate the life of influential American folk musician Elizabeth Cotten."-- Real Simple

"Elegant and moving."-Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Elegant and moving."-Publishers Weekly, 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

"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

"This is a beautiful book for late bloomers." -- Bookish

"This is a beautiful book for late bloomers." -- Bookish

"Tells Cotten's story with simple, poetic language and lovely, subdued pencil drawings."-- GeekDad

"Tells Cotten's story with simple, poetic language and lovely, subdued pencil drawings."-- GeekDad

"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

"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 utterly fresh take on a holiday tradition that can seem too mushy and too-commercial." --Common Sense Media

"An utterly fresh take on a holiday tradition that can seem too mushy and too-commercial." --Common Sense Media

About the Author

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

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh is based in Brooklyn, New York, and is an artist and activist. This is her first picture book.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books; Illustrated edition (January 16, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1452148570
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1452148571
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 580L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.38 x 10.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 66 ratings

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
66 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Julie Bertram
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
Beautiful story and artwork! Loved the book!
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JMK
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written Biography
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
I teared up when I read this story. This is a wonderful, beautifully written tribute to Libba's life. Her story shows that you are never too old to follow your dreams. At the end of the story, there is a great narrative with additional details about Libba's life.
7 people found this helpful
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s.m.devall
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Inspiring! This has been an enjoyment to read. Well written Laura Viers takes you on a musical journey of Elizabeth Cottons life and musical career! This is one I know I will read again and again. I found this book easy to navigate with informative Author's notes. Must read for all ages!
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Libba has been an enjoyment to read. Well written; author Laura Veirs takes you on a musical journey of Elizabeth 'Libba' Cottons life and musical career! This is one I know I will read again and again. I found this book easy to navigate with informative Author's notes. Must read for all ages!
6 people found this helpful
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Jeanne
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
This children's book is just magical. It teaches about a historical figure in a way that will keep a child's interest. It's tells children to never give up on their dreams. Such as a great message.
One person found this helpful
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Rick
5.0 out of 5 stars Quick read.
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019
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More like a short story, or less.
2 people found this helpful
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Sonicgrub
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2018
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wonderful book
One person found this helpful
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Red Canoe Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars The story of an amazing life
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2018
#partner @kidlitexchange
✨
Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten
✨
By Laura Veirs; Illustrated by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
✨“Libba heard Music Everywhere” is the opening line of this memorable picture book biography that tells us the remarkable story of renowned African American songwriter and musician, Libba Cotten. Libba picked up her brother’s guitar, played it upside down and composed the well known folk song “Freight Train” before she was eleven years old! Unfortunately, life got in the way and Libba stopped playing. She became a wife, a mother and finally a housekeeper for Pete and Ruth Crawford Seeger. She was a hard worker and did an amazing job, but all the while she was cleaning, cooking and caring for the children, she was listening. And what she heard were musicians like Woody Guthrie and Muddy Waters. Until one day, she HAD to pick up a guitar and play. With the Seegers help and support, Libba began to play in public and soon was known the world over.
✨
I love reading picture biographies and this is a special one. I learn about so many people who have made important contributions to our world and deserve to be remembered and appreciated. I was fascinated to learn the story of Libba Cotten, a truly amazing musician I wasn’t familiar with before I read Laura Veirs’ biography. The muted illustrations provide a gentle view of Libba’s world from the time she was a child through her performances the world over in the theatres of New York, London and Rome. They help us to understand Libba’s determination, her kindness and her love of music. This is a picture book biography that definitely needs to find a space on the shelves of elementary school collections.
5 people found this helpful
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JayP
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredbile story, beautifully told
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
This is such an incredible book - it takes a story that isn't very well-known about a timeless song and a wonderful songwriter and brings it to life. Elizabeth Cotten deserves to be known, and this book will hopefully bring more people to her music and life story.
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Top reviews from other countries

Lewis John & Ian Bebbington
5.0 out of 5 stars Laura Viers is a Beaut!!!!! X
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
Love it... going to the Philippines this year to meet my girlfriend taking it with me to read her!!! 😍
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SR
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in Australia on August 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
Such a beautiful book. Actually enjoy reading to myself more than my kids. And has inspired me to pick up a guitar for first time in 30 years.
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