The Singer and the Scientist

This book will be an excellent addition to my elementary music classroom. I wish I had in hand right now, because I’d add it to my lesson plans this week.

What I like about this book:
-It’s going to be an excellent cross-curricular connection for me to use
-The text is simple enough to understand, but doesn’t sugarcoat the real issues at play - kids are smart and don’t like to see things sugarcoated when they know the story is about an injustice or a real issue
-The parallels between Einstein’s persecution as a Jewish man and Marion Anderson’s persecution as a Black woman

All in all, I can’t wait to add this to my library.

What an amazing children's book! The cover is stunning, as well as the illustrations throughout. I loved the storyline and how it's based on a true story. The book is based on the singer Marian Anderson's performance at McCarter Theatre in 1937, and her friendship with Albert Einstein that followed. This would be a great book to have in young elementary school classrooms, or at home for young readers.

I am absolutely in love with the cover!
This children’s picture book tells the little known story of how the singer Marian Anderson and the scientist Albert Einstein met and started a lasting friendship. The illustrations are bold and captivating - pulling even the youngest reader into the story. The writing is simple enough for children to understand the big ideas of racism, inclusion and standing up for others. This will be a great addition to any classroom.

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

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

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

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.

In this small copy, the author tells us about the encounter between the African-American singer Marian Anderson and the scientist Albert Einstein. After her first white-only concert, Anderson finds herself without a place to stay for the night and Einstein offers her his guest room.

The illustrations are beautiful; Anderson's hair, with that hairstyle with 1920s touches, in the transition to 1930s fashion, was what caught my eye on the cover.

Considering that it is short and that it is aimed at an audience between 5 and 11 years old, it perfectly frames the discrimination and prevailing racism of the time, making two different people come together, for the greater good.

Both children and adults should read this beautiful book, and perhaps, educating the future, we will not make the mistakes of the past again.

This book brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful story about an episode in the history of America, social injustice, and Art. The Singer and the Scientist describes one small act by a great man dedicated to Human Rights. Albert Einstein was not just a great scientist but also a political activist who teaches us a lesson in equality and what it means to be a "mensch" while Marian Anderson teaches us a lesson in humility and forbearance in the face of bigotry. This will make for an interesting and wonderful read with my grandchildren. The illustrations are beautiful, and the message is mature and instructing. I’d like to thank NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Kar-Ben Publishing for an ARC of this amazing book in exchange for my honest review.

The Singer and the Scientist is a wonderful book about an unlikely but beautiful friendship in a world of discrimination between Albert Einstein and singer Marian Anderson. Anderson gives a concert, but is not allowed to stay at the hotel she has just performed because it is "whites only." Albert Einstein has just seen her perform and raves about it, eventually offering to let her stay at his nearby home. They become fast friends and Einstein's kindness is truly heartwarming to read about. He feels a kinship as he has been discriminated against as a Jew in Europe. I loved reading about their friendship and commonalities. This may be best for upper elementary school aged children as the content may be too heavy for younger children. It mentions racism and the persecution of Jews in Europe. I recommend this if you've enjoyed the Little People Big Dreams series. This is one of my favorite children's books!

Thank you Lerner Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I love books that tell about a “who knew” event and this is one such book. Who knew that Albert Einstein and Marian Anderson bonded over an act of kindness and their shared experience of persecution. The stunning artwork and additional back matter brilliantly support this wonderful story.

A great children’s book! This tells the incredible true story of singer Marian Anderson & her lasting friendship with Albert Einstein following a 1937 performance at the McCarter Theatre. The illustrations are beautiful & will definitely capture children’s attention. Highly recommend for parents with children at home or as an addition to the classroom!

Thank you Lisa Rose, Isabel Munoz, Lerner Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheSingerandtheScientist #NetGalley

This is the true story of Marian Anderson and Albert Einstein. After a beautiful performance at McCarter Theatre in 1937 to an all-white crowd, Marian is denied accommodations at the nearby Nassau Inn. Einstein, who had been in the crowd, invites Marian to stay at his home and shares that he, too, has experienced intolerance because of his Jewish heritage. Not only do they connect through their shared experience with racism, but the two bond over music as well. In the author's note at the end of the book, the author shares both Einstein's and Marian's involvement in the movement to end segregation and racism in the United States.

Beautifully illustrated and poignant, this book describes an amazing little-known story that should be brought to light. This would be a fantastic book to share with children this month during Black History Month, but unfortunately, it is not going to be published until April. It would be a perfect addition to any library--public, at school, and at home.

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Kar-Ben Publishing.

FIVE STARS!

I absolutely adored this book, the story was so touching and beautiful, it low key made me sob.
The illustrations throughout the book were stunning. The bond between Albert and Maria show that friendship is unconditional.
This book is a must read for children and adults. Everyone will find it endearing and entertaining.