Overview

An illuminating picture book biography of renowned Mexican American folk musician Joan Baez, whose songs of justice, peace, and activism have inspired listeners to create positive change across the world, from Christopher Award–winning author Monica Brown and Caldecott Honoree Molly Mendoza. From a young age, Joan Baez knew she wanted to make the world a better place. The daughter of immigrants from Mexico and Scotland, she learned values of compassion and advocacy from her parents. As Joan learned about people in need around the world, she sang to make herself feel better—and her beautiful voice made others feel better, too. Joan sang songs about workers’ rights, civil rights, and the struggle for justice. She started in coffee shops and clubs, worked her way to singing at folk festivals and on New York stages, and eventually she sang next to Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington, alongside César Chávez, and for the President of the United States. Joan realized music could move people’s hearts, minds, and feet toward a path of justice and peace. And she used the gift of her beautiful voice to do just that.

Full Product Details

9781665926607

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Reviews

A picture-book celebration of folk singer and activist Joan Baez. Brown covers her subject’s youthful empathy (modeled by her principled parents, immigrants from Mexico and Scotland); her struggles with identity (as a child, she was bullied for her Latine heritage but also told she wasn’t “Mexican enough”); the gift of a ukulele that set Baez on a musical path; her life-changing exposure to the music of Pete Seeger and other folkies; her post–high school move to Boston, where she got her start playing at clubs; and the steady professional climb that led to performances at 1963’s March on Washington and other large-scale social-justice gatherings. Often flanking images of Baez are flower motifs, abstract swirls, and other bold imagery. Young readers will applaud . . . . -- Kirkus * November 1, 2025 *

Author Information

Monica Brown is the award-winning author of more than thirty picture books for children, including Frida and her Animalitos, Waiting for the Biblioburro, Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match, and the Lola Levine chapter book series, inspired by her Peruvian and Jewish heritage. She is the recipient of two Américas Awards, a Pura Belpré Honor, and The Christopher Award, among others. Visit her at MonicaBrown.net. Molly Mendoza is an illustrator and comic artist who graduated from Pacific Northwest College of Art. They have illustrated picture books including Jovita Wore Pants by Aida Salazar, which won a Caldecott Honor; Freedom, We Sing by Amyra León; Life Is Beautiful by Winsome Bingham; and Singing Justice, Singing Peace by Monica Brown and have worked with clients such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Wired, among others. They currently live in Portland, Oregon. Visit them at MollyMendoza.com.

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