SYNOPSIS

Rosetta discovers her passion and talent for playing the guitar at a young age.

She and her mom, a preacher, move to Chicago and Rosetta performs at church, on the streets, wherever she can.

Her music genius leads her to combine gospel, jazz, swing, and blues to create a unique, innovative and gripping style.

She is also an entertainment sensation, with a powerful voice, wildly fun dance moves and sometimes-crazy guitar-playing methods.

Rosetta’s her fame becomes international, and her music style inspires many “future legends”.

PERFECT AGE 4 – 9

We love

• The unusual narrative format – addressing the book to “you, Rosetta” – makes the book read like an ode of appreciation or an oratory celebration.
• Beautiful and varied illustrations, showing us Rosetta as she grows up, always moved by her music and always dancing!

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• What kinds of songs did Rosetta sing and play as a little girl? Why was that? [lots of gospel and hymns; mom was a preacher, and Rosetta performed at church.]
• What did people mean when they said Rosetta made the guitar “talk”? [she was a terrific musician and a very talented on the guitar.]
• What did you learn about her style of performing? [she was very animated, danced and jumped a lot, made jokes, spoke to the audience, held the guitar in crazy ways.]
• What did the author mean when she wrote that “lots of younger cats” “dig” Rosetta’s “licks” and “cop” her style? [The likes of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and others learned and borrowed from her music style to form their own work.]
• Let’s listen to some of Rosetta’s songs!