Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dazzling art captures Aretha's career and activism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
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Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: ARETHA FRANKLIN, THE QUEEN OF SOUL is an exuberant look at the life of one of America's greatest artists. It starts with a look at her childhood in Memphis, where she learns gospel music from her mother and pastor father. "Hand-clapping gospel -- the Franklins' pedigree./ Parents, children praise the Lord in stirring harmony." Then her parents split up and she and her dad and sibings move north to Detroit. Aretha records her first album at 14, gets involved in the civil rights movement and performs at demonstrations. Eventually, she performs at the inauguration of the first Black president, Barack Obama.
Is It Any Good?
This dazzling take on Franklin's life tells her story in gorgeous paintings and spare couplets that sweep readers up in a world of love, music, joy, civil rights activism, and religious spirit. R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul features many close-ups, like of her strong hands playing the piano or her intense face as she sings at a microphone. The backdrop of her era is well done, too, with civil rights demonstrations portrayed in black-and-white, in stark contrast to the book's other vibrant colors, with famous figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Harry Belafonte shown but not mentioned in the text.
The author keeps up the motif used in her famous song "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" by spelling-out themes on the spreads like "B-L-E-S-S-E-D" on a picture of young Aretha praying, or "V-O-I-C-E" when she's in the recording studio, or "P-R-O-U-D" at Obama's inauguration, where she sings "My Country 'Tis of Thee." This is a poetic, artistic tribute to the Queen of Soul.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the art in R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. How do you like the illustrator's style? Which picture is your favorite? Why?
How much did you know about Aretha Franklin before you read this book? What did you learn that you didn't know? Does reading this book make you want to listen to her music?
Do you know of any music stars who've performed at protests? What cause were they standing up for?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Frank Morrison
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Activism , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , History
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum Books For Young Readers
- Publication date : January 25, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Award : Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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