Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll!: Presenting Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock & Roll

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a 20th-century blues and gospel singer who was a trailblazer for rock-and-roll. Tonya Bolden and R. Gregory Christie's book tells her story, including a timeline of her life, an author's note, and a list of sources.

Format: Hardback
Length: 40 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: A Bold and Vivacious Profile

Kirkus Reviews describes the book as a "terrific" addition to collections that aim to inspire musically inclined readers and showcase innovative pioneers. The review highlights Sister Rosetta Tharpe's remarkable talent and impact on the music industry.

"Bolden uses alliteration, assonance, repetition, and rhythm to create an irresistibly musical text that effectively communicates the feel of Tharpe's music," states Booklist in its starred review. The review also praises Christie's lively illustrations, which capture the physicality of Tharpe's performance style and the intensity of her sound.

Publishers Weekly also commends the book, calling it an "impressive offering about an often-overlooked figure in American music." The review praises Bolden's words and Christie's pictures, stating that the marriage of the two is almost as satisfying as Tharpe's songs.

"The marriage of Bolden's words and Christie's pictures is almost as satisfying as Tharpe's songs," states the New York Times Book Review in its starred review. The review commends the book for its "inspiriting true story" about Sister Rosetta Tharpe's life, career, and impact on rock and roll.

"Perfect for fans of Trombone Shorty and Adas Violin!" states the book's description, which also mentions that it has won several awards.

Award-winning author Tonya Bolden and acclaimed illustrator R. Gregory Christie have collaborated to deliver an inspiring true story about the life, career, and impact of 20th-century blues and gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The book includes a timeline of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's life, an author's note, and a list of sources.

Before there was Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnny Cash, there was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The godmother of rock & roll began her journey as a little girl from Arkansas with music in her air, in her hair, in her bones, and wiggling her toes. With a big guitar in hand and a big voice in her soul, she grew into a rock & roll trailblazer in a time when women were rarely seen rocking out. Her guitar picking was like no one else's!

Join us in celebrating the remarkable life and legacy of Sister Rosetta Tharpe with this rockin' tribute by Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Tonya Bolden and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator R. Gregory Christie.

Weight: 434g
Dimension: 223 x 288 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780062994387