Pros: I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the cover. In a sea of book covers, this one jumped out. Although it is a children’s book, I wanted to know the story about the two people on the cover. I’m a big believer that children’s books are not just for children and that adults can learn from them too! Before reading this book, I had not known about the crossing of paths of Marian Anderson and Albert Einstein. Reading this book inspired me to learn more about both people. My favorite part about this book is the delightful, bold, and compelling illustrations.

Cons: None. This is not a con, but I do suggest that young children read this with an adult (or older teenager) because there are important historical events/contexts (Nazi Germany, segregation) in this book that children might need to talk about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this book!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for an e-ARC of this picture book.

Though I thought I knew much of Marian Anderson's story, I had no idea that she was friends with Albert Einstein. This book is a great non-fiction text that does a great job demonstrating that friends can be found in unlikely places.

This was so charming! It shows two well known historical figures in a new light. I knew of Marian Anderson's performance at the Lincoln Memorial, but did not know of her friendship with Einstein. I loved the cheerful illustrations and the descriptions of what the two had in common. It was also a good introduction to the social issues of the time, explained in an age appropriate way.

This is such a good and warm book. Singer Marian Anderson can stand on stage and sing but can't be bothered by whites while off the stage. All because the color of her skin, Noone acts as though she is alive. It just so happened Albert Einstein was in the front row and offered her a room in his house when she had no place to stay. The became fast friends. This would be wonderful for a read a loud in a classroom.

The Singer and the Scientist tells the story of the friendship of Marian Anderson and Albert Einstein. I loved getting to know about something in history that I never heard about before. The book is beautifully illustrated and written. I loved learning about the friendship of Marian and Albert and I believe others would too. There is also an Author's note in the back of the book with more information. This book would be perfect to read in a classroom or library setting. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on GoodReads.)

The singer and the Scientist is a heartwarming true story that I never knew existed. Marian Anderson was a renowned singer who was performing for a white audience, hosted by Albert Einstein. After her performance, she was told she couldn't stay at a nearby hotel because it was whites-only. However, Albert Einstein offered to let her stay at his home. This leads to a delightful friendship!

I loved this book not only for the story & storytelling, but the illustration as well, which captured the story beautifully thanks to Isabel Munoz. To summarize, this book warmed me and taught a history lesson at the same time while presenting racial equality and inequality to a younger audience.

I was provided a free copy of this by @netgalley and @lernerbooks in exchange for my honest review.
I read this story tonight with my daughter and we both loved it! It's about the beginning of the friendship between singer Marian Anderson and scientist Albert Einstein! She was performing for an all white audience and received a standing ovation. However, once the show was over everyone ignored her and she was unable to find lodging, since the hotel nearby was for whites only. Albert Einstein, who was in the audience that night and having been discriminated against himself, invited her to stay at his house for the night! Thus began a long friendship between the two! This was a beautiful story that provided my daughter and I the opportunity to talk about discrimination of different kinds, and how we should act when we see others being discriminated against. When we were done reading the ebook version she said, "I wish this was a real book!" 😁 I said, "It will be on April 1st!!" She was very excited and has already requested it for herself, because she likes to sing, and her cousin, because she likes science! 🥰
#TheSingerAndTheScientist #NetGalley

This book is focused on the friendship between opera singer Marian Anderson and renowned scientist & mathematician Albert Einstein.

I really enjoyed the illustrations and the unique story (based on actual historical events). As a history buff, I am grateful for children's books that introduce historical events in a manner that children can understand . I also thought the manner in which the story was told was engaging with beautiful full page illustrations. Additionally, the Author's Note provides even more historical background about the singer and the scientist, which may encourage further reading and research.

This book also handles racism and prejudice in a way that respects its young audience. It provides enough detail for children to understand the very real issue, while offering a message of hope. All in all, this was a motivational story about two people who overcame prejudice and found a new friend to empathize with.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group / Kar-Ben Publishing ® for an e-ARC. I really appreciated it!

I mean WOW. This is exceptional.

The way the story has been written.

The illustrations hugging your vision.

The colours that fills up your soul.

I mean I am so in love with the entire book.

I am always standing up against discrimination and racism.

Even the famous personalities aren't spared. This is one such important storybook that tells us the same.

So well done!

Let's say no to any kind of discrimination and racism. Let's always speak up and so something about it. No, it starts from us ourselves. And yes, let's start with reading this book as of now 🙌

Thank you, authors and the Publisher for the advance reading copy.

Wow! What an incredible story and unbelievable that it’s true. The lead character Marian was delightful and relatable and the artistry in the drawings was beautiful. The fact that this is a true story makes it even more of a gem and I will certainly be purchasing copies for my friends kids and recommending this read. Thanks for the opportunity to review!

The authors note was just as impactful to me as the rest of the story.

5 stars

#Netgalley #TheSingerandtheScientist

Beautiful story and a helpful learning tool to help my son understand the past. It was sweet and simple and just lovely.

I saw this going through the "read now" section on Netgalley. Even though I thought that the prose wasn't as smooth as it could have been, it is such an interesting story that I'm definitely going to pick up copies for the kids in my life. The art is beautiful and lively, with expert composition, and the story touches on important concepts as well as recounting this fascinating real life meeting of the minds.
When I was a kid, I loved to read the afterword in stories like this to gain a little more information. The afterword, here, is just as interesting as the story itself, and I think it would get young readers asking questions and investigating more for themselves.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a wonderful story.

It was easy to follow and understand and the illustrations were great and it will help raise the issues that faced Marian Anderson and how African Americans were treated so different and unfairly in the past and how much we can learn from this story.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended!

What an outstanding story! What outstanding illustrations!

They say "absent-minded" professor to describe a scientist. But that evening in
Princeton, Albert Einstein was the only person to pay attention to the fact that
the singer who had just given a scintillating performance did not have a place to stay that night.
This was in 1937.

The singer was none other than the African-American contralto Marian Anderson. Although she gave several recitals a year in the United States alone, Anderson was still turned away by some American hotels and restaurants. She became friends with Einstein and last stayed with him months before he died in 1955.

A fantastic book for children of all ages. It presents racism in a very simply manner, making it easy for children to grasp the concept, whilst encouraging an opportunity for further discussion with an adult.
Prior to reading this book, I had not heard of the American singer, Marian Anderson. As an adult, it was heartbreaking to read of the racism she experienced following her show and uplifting to read of the gesture of kindness offered to her by Albert Einstein. And to see that it led to a wonderful friendship is a wonderful reminder of the power of kindness. The author presented these concepts perfectly.
The illustrations were beautiful. It stayed true to the aesthetic of that period of 1930s America. There was the right amount of attention to detail.
All in all, a fantastic book that I would absolutely purchase for my children as a book to discuss the history of racism, not only in America, but also racism that was felt by many in that era until now.

The Singer and the Scientist explores two well-known historical figures (singer Marian Anderson and scientist Albert Einstein) and the origins of their little-known friendship. Set in Princeton, NJ in 1937 - this lovely story describes the circumstances of their meeting, their shared love of music, and their similar experiences with discrimination and prejudice. This book is a testament to the power of friendship, a reminder that one person can make a difference, and is sure to inspire any child (or adult!) to follow their passion - whether it's singing or science - despite opposition from others.

In regards to the illustrations - they are all vivid, warm, and evocative, I particularly loved the composition of page 28, when Anderson and Einstein chat in front of the fire. Also, as someone who once worked at McCarter Theatre, I have to complement Muñoz's attention to detail with the distinct architecture. I would highly recommend this book and plan on purchasing it for my own collection when it's available to the public.

CW: racism, anti-Semitism, prejudice, discrimination

I love that the message of acceptance in this children’s book is based on a true story about the characters. Parents reading this aloud to kids will probably appreciate the length — not too long, but still tells a good story. For me, the highlight was the illustrations. They are vibrant and colorful and have the most magnificent facial expressions.

This book it absolutely brilliant it tells the story of Marian Anderson, and her meeting with Albert Einstein, who had a huge impact on her. This is a story few have heard of and I loved the way this book was written, clear, engaging and with beautiful pictures. I am looking forward to using this with my students. The information section in the back is also excellent and very helpful.

What I like most about this charming story is how it takes a little-known event of history, involving a few
small acts of kindness, and turns it into a touching story that makes me want to know even more by the end. And indeed, an author's note at the end of the book clarifies the historical context for us adults or for especially curious young readers.

The illustrations are cute and fun, with a really nice overall style and color scheme. The book
has a positive message and explores some real history and issues of discrimination, on a level that is serious but hopeful and that kids will intuitively understand (though will also require some discussion with parents to fully appreciate the discrimination faced by each of the two protagonists).

This is by far one of the best kids nonfiction books I have read. I had never heard the story of Marian Anderson, never mind the impact Albert Einstein had on her. I learned a lot and can’t wait to share it with my students. I loved everything about it, including the information in the back and the illustrations. 5 stars is not enough.