Music can be incredibly powerful. A song can evoke a memory, make us wonder, or give us something to think about. There are lots of wonderful children’s books about musicians and the songs that have made a difference in our society. So, today I have gathered 13 of them to share with you.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of Stand Up and Sing! and Write On, Irving Berlin in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Music can be healing

Stand Up and Sing!: Pete Seeger, Folk Music, and the Path to Justice was written by Susanna Reich and Adam Gustavson. This beautifully illustrated book follows the life and work of Pete Seeger. The story follows his childhood spent singing with his family through his years of performing and fighting for what he believed in. This book not only provides readers with a full picture of Seeger’s life, but also teaches the important lesson that music can be healing. The many ways that he, and others, used music to effect change are shown through famous events and vivid imagery.

Write On, Irving Berlin! was written by Leslie Kimmelman and illustrated by David C. Gardner. Irving Berlin made a remarkable mark on music in America. This colorful book follows his journey from 5 year old Jewish immigrant escaping persecution in Russia, to celebrated songwriter recognized with some of the highest awards in the US. The story follows the timeline of his life, showing the effect that his music had on the country during war. It also shows how he used his music to bring some happiness and light to the dark lives of the soldiers fighting overseas. The illustrations are colorful, showing Berlin as he ages from a singing kid to a thoughtful older man, constantly writing and composing.

Glimpse into the childhood of your favorite artists

When Paul Met Artie: The Story of Simon & Garfunkel was written by G. Neri and illustrated by David Litchfield. This biography of Simon & Garfunkel uses a creative layout to share their story. Each page shares an important event in their lives, written out like song lyrics. Each “song” is also paired with colorful, vintage inspired illustrations. The stories span from their early friendship to their days of stardom, showing readers how they grew into the famous act we know now.

Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles was written by Susanna Reich and illustrated by Adam Gustavson. How did the Beatles become the Beatles? This book introduces readers to John, Paul, George and Ringo. It shares stories and tidbits about their lives before they were famous, giving readers a glimpse at their personalities. The illustrations have a comforting nostalgic feel to them, while the text shows how they came to be the Fab Four.

Learn to sing the blues

Blue Grass Boy: The Story of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass Music was written by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. Learn about the birth of bluegrass music with this biography of Bill Monroe. The author shares the ups and downs of Munroe’s life; from his early days working on his parents farm to his struggles overcoming his eyesight troubles. The illustrations are bold and colorful, giving kids a glimpse into the Kentucky land he loved.

Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters was written by Michael Mahin and illustrated by Evan Turk. This striking book tells the story of Muddy Waters. He was an American blues musician who used his determination and love of blues music to take part in creating the “Chicago blues” style of music. The text in the story is written in a lyrical style, bursting with descriptive text that almost makes you hear blues music in your head. The illustrations are also bold, using vibrant colors and folk art style imagery to bring his story to life.

The difference one song (or performance) can make

Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song was written by Gary Golio and illustrated Charlotte Riley-Webb. This tale of Billie Holiday and the song “Strange Fruit”, starts with a brief overview of Holiday’s early struggles in life. The author doesn’t go into detail about some of the more difficult struggles that she faced, but instead focuses on her performances of the powerful ballad “Strange Fruit”. The striking illustrations evoke a lot of the strong emotions portrayed in the song, while the story brings up important topics of equality and racism. This book is a strong reminder of the power of a song to combat hate.

When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson was written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznick. This story follows Marian Anderson as she grows up loving music, while using her distinctive voice to entertain. The story shows her struggles to be accepted because of her race, and showcases the historic concert in 1939 at the Lincoln Memorial. The incredibly detailed illustrations are striking, and show the power of her performances without even hearing a note.

Kids who loved music and chased their dreams

Trombone Shorty was written by Troy Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier. This autobiography introduces the reader to Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. The story follows him from his childhood living in New Orleans, to his life changing opportunity to play onstage with Bo Diddley at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Andrews shows how his love of music lead him to his career as a musician. The tone of the text is conversational, making the reader feel like Andrews is bringing them into his world. The illustrations are bold and vibrant, using colors, textures and motion to bring the story to life.

Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz was written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Michele Wood. When Lil was young, her mother didn’t want her listening to Jazz music, but Lil knew it was in her bones. This colorfully illustrated story introduces readers to the remarkable Lil Hardin Armstrong and her journey from young girl to famous jazz pioneer. The text is energetic and conversational, making you feel the excitement of Armstrong as she makes a name for herself in the world of jazz, when men were mostly ruling the genre. The acrylic illustrations are vibrant and full of color and joy, echoing the sentiments in the story.

Learning about Jazz

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra was written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. This story follows Duke Ellington on his path to accomplished composer. The author starts with his disinterest in the piano when his family signs him up for lessons. However, the story shows how he comes around to the piano a bit later in childhood, creating his own sound and finding his place in the world of music. The illustrations are impressive and playful, using motion and color to bring the excitement of his music off the page.

Ella Fitzgerald (Little People, Big Dreams) was written by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrated by Barbara Alca. This entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series follows the life of Ella Fitzgerald. The story follows her journey from her childhood on the streets of Harlem to her career as a jazz legend. The text is easy to read with only a sentence or two per page, while the illustrations are simple and colorful. This is a great introduction to Ella Fitzgerald for young readers.

Dizzy was written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Sean Qualls. This vividly illustrated book shares the story of Dizzy Gillespie, the trumpet playing jazz musician credited with starting Bebop music. The text is written in a flowing style that mimics song lyrics, while the illustrations use color, texture and motion to complement the story and bring the music to life.

Does your family have any favorite books about musicians? Share them in the comments below!

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