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Sing, Aretha, Sing!: Aretha Franklin,"Respect," and the Civil Rights Movement
A young Aretha Franklin captivates her community with the song “Respect” during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, in this striking picture book biography that will embolden today’s young readers to sing their own truth.
When Aretha Franklin sang, she didn’t just sing…she sparked a movement. As a performer and a civil rights activist, the Queen of Soul used her voice to uplift freedom fighters and the Black community during the height of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Her song “Respect” was an anthem of identity, survival, and joy. It gave hope to people trying to make change. And when Aretha sang, the world sang along.
With Hanif Abdurraqib’s poetic voice and Ashley Evans’s dynamic illustrations, Sing, Aretha, Sing! demonstrates how one brave voice can give new power to a nation, and how the legacy of Aretha Franklin lives on in a world still fighting for freedom.
When Aretha Franklin sang, she didn’t just sing…she sparked a movement. As a performer and a civil rights activist, the Queen of Soul used her voice to uplift freedom fighters and the Black community during the height of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Her song “Respect” was an anthem of identity, survival, and joy. It gave hope to people trying to make change. And when Aretha sang, the world sang along.
With Hanif Abdurraqib’s poetic voice and Ashley Evans’s dynamic illustrations, Sing, Aretha, Sing! demonstrates how one brave voice can give new power to a nation, and how the legacy of Aretha Franklin lives on in a world still fighting for freedom.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2022
About the author
Hanif Abdurraqib
26 books3,105 followersHanif Abdurraqib is a poet, essayist, and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio. His poetry has been published in Muzzle, Vinyl, PEN American, and various other journals. His essays and music criticism have been published in The FADER, Pitchfork, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. His first full length poetry collection, The Crown Ain't Worth Much, was released in June 2016 from Button Poetry. It was named a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Prize, and was nominated for a Hurston-Wright Legacy Award. With Big Lucks, he released a limited edition chapbook, Vintage Sadness, in summer 2017 (you cannot get it anymore and he is very sorry.) His first collection of essays, They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, was released in winter 2017 by Two Dollar Radio and was named a book of the year by Buzzfeed, Esquire, NPR, Oprah Magazine, Paste, CBC, The Los Angeles Review, Pitchfork, and The Chicago Tribune, among others. He released Go Ahead In The Rain: Notes To A Tribe Called Quest with University of Texas press in February 2019. The book became a New York Times Bestseller, and was met with critical acclaim. His second collection of poems, A Fortune For Your Disaster, was released in 2019 by Tin House. He is a graduate of Beechcroft High School.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 9, 2022
2.5 stars
I honestly found this book misleading. The cover, title, even the first third of the book - seem to be very consistent with Aretha Franklin and her singing. There was repetition of "sing, Aretha, sing" in those pages, but once it got to page 14, it lost that flow and connection and focused on civil rights. I wouldn't mind showing how Aretha Franklin was an activist and how she provided soul for the movement, but it just felt very misleading. Even the tone and color scheme changed once you got to page 14. Definitely some prejudice displayed and propaganda shown - which I don't think is right for a 3-6yo book. Also, bringing in BLM just seemed pushy and stretching it a little as it started after she'd died. I appreciated the author's note at the end and learned a few things and even understood why he wrote the book the way he did, I just think it's misleading. The illustrating was great
I honestly found this book misleading. The cover, title, even the first third of the book - seem to be very consistent with Aretha Franklin and her singing. There was repetition of "sing, Aretha, sing" in those pages, but once it got to page 14, it lost that flow and connection and focused on civil rights. I wouldn't mind showing how Aretha Franklin was an activist and how she provided soul for the movement, but it just felt very misleading. Even the tone and color scheme changed once you got to page 14. Definitely some prejudice displayed and propaganda shown - which I don't think is right for a 3-6yo book. Also, bringing in BLM just seemed pushy and stretching it a little as it started after she'd died. I appreciated the author's note at the end and learned a few things and even understood why he wrote the book the way he did, I just think it's misleading. The illustrating was great
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August 23, 2022
Working my way through some books by Hanif Abdurraqib to prepare for seeing him at an event in September 2022!!
July 24, 2022
I like the endnotes more than the main text of the story. The main text seems to be attempting to mold the song Respect into something that defined the Civil Rights Movement and was inspired by Martin Luther King's speeches that Aretha heard while on tour with him as a teenager. Certainly, the song was and remains both popular and important and was played by millions who were and were not involved in the Civil Rights Movement. It's become a protest anthem of sorts that the world is aware of. Certainly, Aretha was involved in the Civil Rights Movement and did sing many songs that were sung at various events throughout her lifetime. However, the text of the story seems to distort that.
The lyrics of the song Respect are more targeted at respect from a spouse and speaks more readily to women's rights and equality despite having been written by a man who was asking for respect from a woman before Aretha re-recorded it and effectively turned the tables in her version. I wish the book hadn't latched onto that song alone and instead offered a fuller look at Aretha's catalogue for its impact on American protests. I wish that the book mentioned other points of protest such as women's and LGBTQ rights in the main text rather than choosing to only bring up protests against war and racism. I know it was attempting to make a point understandable by simplifying some aspects of Aretha's impact and amplifying others, but what came out felt stretched and disjointed and the connection felt weaker for it. The endnotes clarify a lot of that, but I wanted more from the main text so the endnotes didn't have such a heavy lift at the end.
I'd love to do some comparison between this and Carole Boston Weatherford's R.E.S.P.E.C.T. or Kathryn Russell-Brown's A Voice Named Aretha with kids, just to see what they think.
The lyrics of the song Respect are more targeted at respect from a spouse and speaks more readily to women's rights and equality despite having been written by a man who was asking for respect from a woman before Aretha re-recorded it and effectively turned the tables in her version. I wish the book hadn't latched onto that song alone and instead offered a fuller look at Aretha's catalogue for its impact on American protests. I wish that the book mentioned other points of protest such as women's and LGBTQ rights in the main text rather than choosing to only bring up protests against war and racism. I know it was attempting to make a point understandable by simplifying some aspects of Aretha's impact and amplifying others, but what came out felt stretched and disjointed and the connection felt weaker for it. The endnotes clarify a lot of that, but I wanted more from the main text so the endnotes didn't have such a heavy lift at the end.
I'd love to do some comparison between this and Carole Boston Weatherford's R.E.S.P.E.C.T. or Kathryn Russell-Brown's A Voice Named Aretha with kids, just to see what they think.
April 1, 2024
I love Hanif, and I love Aretha, but something about this book didn't feel very real or authentic to Aretha's story or Hanif's writing. It's just that, this book didn't really say much about either. I know this is a children's book and all, but I don't think that's an excuse for the rushed storytelling. The pacing was way too fast. The story begins and, in a blink, has already sped up to Aretha singing "Respect" without any build up on how she got there. She didn't get famous that quickly and from just that one song. "Respect" is a cover of an Otis Redding song, but the book implies that it originated from Aretha. "Respect" was a single on Aretha's 10th studio album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, but that's never mentioned. In fact, no dates are even mentioned in the story, and there's no context on what led up to the Civil Rights Movement. And then, again, another time jump where she receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, or so it's implied by the illustration, but even that's not mentioned either, and Aretha didn't receive that just because of this song. The lack of research and context shown in this book is surprising coming from an author who's a master at his craft. The illustrations are fine, but so much history and backstory is missing so the illustrations oftentimes don't add up. It's a cute book, but deserved so much better for the history it didn't make much attempt to tell and for the woman who was more than just one song.
April 3, 2022
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A lovely picture book that goes beyond Aretha Franklin's career as a singer and delves into her activism and faith.
Abdurraqib's text is lyrical with some lovely images created. He focuses not just on Franklin's most well-known song, but how it inspired others to act and its continued effect in bringing people together for a common cause.
I really enjoyed the illustration style. The perfect blend of cartoony and realistic to engage young readers. There are quite a few details about Franklin's life worked into the illustrations that are not specifically touched on in the text. This inspirational picture book may be best paired with a more fact-based book when learning about Franklin's life and her role in the Civil Rights Moments.
A lovely picture book that goes beyond Aretha Franklin's career as a singer and delves into her activism and faith.
Abdurraqib's text is lyrical with some lovely images created. He focuses not just on Franklin's most well-known song, but how it inspired others to act and its continued effect in bringing people together for a common cause.
I really enjoyed the illustration style. The perfect blend of cartoony and realistic to engage young readers. There are quite a few details about Franklin's life worked into the illustrations that are not specifically touched on in the text. This inspirational picture book may be best paired with a more fact-based book when learning about Franklin's life and her role in the Civil Rights Moments.
March 25, 2024
I loved the idea of this book, however, it did not move me quite like other books about famous African Americans or the civil rights movement in general. For instance, the book “Rosa” by Nikki Giovanni and the book “Henry’s Freedom Box” come to mind that give a lot of imagery, depth, and substance to the topic.
Aretha Franklin is a strong voice/ person, with impactful songs. I feel this book could have displayed this strong voice where you could feel her presence throughout the book. However, I’m not sure what it was, but something was lacking. I had a hard time getting drawn into the book.
Overall, I’m glad there’s a good book about Aretha Franklin to read. She needs to be in books and read about! However, I do hope someone takes another approach with writing a picture book about her, and lets her voice and strong character shine through! But that’s just my opinion.
Aretha Franklin is a strong voice/ person, with impactful songs. I feel this book could have displayed this strong voice where you could feel her presence throughout the book. However, I’m not sure what it was, but something was lacking. I had a hard time getting drawn into the book.
Overall, I’m glad there’s a good book about Aretha Franklin to read. She needs to be in books and read about! However, I do hope someone takes another approach with writing a picture book about her, and lets her voice and strong character shine through! But that’s just my opinion.
February 5, 2022
A cute, well written book in a long line of children's books written about Aretha Franklin. Hanif Abdurraqib is able to bring to the forefront Franklin's activism which ties directly to her music. Even though this book is focused on the Civil Rights movement I did find it a little strange that there wasn't the slightest mention of how "Respect" was a popular anthem for the Women's Rights movement also, at least until the author's note. But all in all, this is a good book to give to children to learn about the Civil Rights movement and Aretha Franklin.
May 9, 2022
The first half of this book was pretty good, and then it seemed to take a turn that didn’t seem genuine at all to me. Aretha’s activist works was mostly in the 50s-70s, but towards the end of the book the illustrations have to do with BLM, and they look a lot like the stuff we have seen since Aretha’s passing, not during her activist days. There was even a sign pictured that said “love is love”…. That doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the civil rights movement or BLM. This book just kind of seemed everywhere towards the end.
Also, the run-ons. My goodness.
Also, the run-ons. My goodness.
December 27, 2021
Hanif Abdurraqib's debut picture book is a testament to the power of a courageous singer and the impact of Aretha Franklin's lyrics and life for future generations. Preview images on Edelweiss+ were consulted for this review.
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April 29, 2022I think this is a really nice picture book! I really like pictures and the style of writing. I think this would be a great read aloud for teaching about women who became famous but also made a change in their community.
May 9, 2022
An inspiring picture book about Aretha Franklin's Respect and the Civil Rights movement. Accompanied by colorful illustrations and an informative author's note, this book is both educational and moving. Part biography, part introduction to the civil rights movement.
May 11, 2022
This is a sweet and important book - I never knew that Respect was so interwoven with the civil rights movement, and I bet I'm not the only one. Franklin is so much more than what we remember her for and we definitely need that reminder.
January 14, 2023
Nice way to introduce Aretha and her impact during the Civil Rights movement especially to children and those with special needs. I read it for storytime today, then played the RESPECT; and it was fun to see them all dance and eventually recognize hearing the song.
July 1, 2023
The story of Aretha Franklin and the song R-E-S-P-E-C-T, and how it influenced the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and still has relevance today. Some readers might find the messaging a little heavy-handed for such young readers.
March 20, 2024
I give this book 2.5 stars. I liked the book but there were certain aspects of the story that were not accurate. The white bus driver would not have been smiling at Aretha and she would have to go to the back of the bus.
March 2, 2022
Such a beautiful reminder of what RESPECT truly meant. Also learned a thing a two that I hadn't known of her associations with Martin Luther King Jr. and her life growing up. Such a powerful story.
June 9, 2022
I think it’s so important to teach your children about the people who shaped history and they’re never too young to learn! Fantastic drawings to get you hooked on Aretha’s story!
August 31, 2022
Beautiful amazing book. Please everyone with children read this. Great art as well!
October 4, 2022
A picture book biography of Singer and activist Aretha Franklin highlighting her civil rights activities. elementary and up
January 16, 2023
2.5 stars
January 29, 2024
Traces the importance of a song -- to the civil rights & women's rights movement, framed with the role in Aretha's own life. Would be good to listen to the song before/after sharing this one!
April 11, 2024
Nice children's book, I was expecting a full book of essays. Maybe in the future.
April 29, 2022
This was good but I think it needed more back matter about Aretha’s life especially since the entire point of the page long author’s note was that she did so much. And we saw … almost none of it because one song was centered. Even the visual cues that her song moved from civil rights to modern protests is muddy. As is her getting the presidential medal of freedom which I only just barely caught. A good idea but the framing felt like a stretch on every level.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews