When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson

Ryan and Selznick (Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, 1999, etc.) reunite for another magical collaboration, this time presenting Marian Anderson to a young audience. Using the visual metaphor of an operatic presentation, the production opens on the Metropolitan Opera stage just before performance, followed by a spread in which the audience watches as the curtain rises and a street scene reveals a tiny figure singing in a brightly-lit window. The shape of the volume lends itself to the broad sweep of the stage and even the title page reads like the show’s program. Anderson’s story is perhaps not well known to younger children, but Ryan does a good job of making it accessible. In simply stated prose she acquaints young readers, who show more may be disbelieving, with a time of social injustice when a person of color could not pursue a professional career in concert music and it was an act of personal courage to sing before racially mixed audiences. Verses of Anderson’s most famous songs are included as they have meaningful application for events. The account includes the most notable episode in her life when, denied access to Washington’s Constitution Hall because of her race, Marian sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before a crowd of thousands—black and white. Selznick’s carefully researched, sepia-toned, acrylic illustrations dramatize Anderson’s strong, handsome face on most pages. That face is faithfully and powerfully rendered, eyes closed when singing, with an intense, almost sublime engagement in her music. The work culminates with another history-making moment when she realizes her dream and becomes the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. Selznick depicts her in this spread standing triumphantly in the spotlight, a vivid spot of color in an otherwise monochromatic treatment. A lengthy “encore” includes personal details and history from both author and illustrator; an “ovation” cites resources. Perfectly paced and perfectly pitched, this never loses sight of the fact that Marian Anderson was both a world-class musician and a powerful symbol to her people. A bravura performance. (notable dates, discography) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)

-Kirkus Review show less

"When Marian Sang" is a lovely, reverent children's picture book about Marian Anderson, considered one of the finest operatic singers who ever lived, and a pivotal figure in the fight for racial equality in the decades before the Civil Rights movement gained steam. Author Pam Muñoz Ryan and illustrator Brian Selznick (who also collaborated on a book about Amelia Earhardt and Eleanor Roosevelt) follow Anderson from her beginnings as the 8-year-old star of the church choir to her historic performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (singing for an integrated crowd of 75,000) to the fulfillment of her ultimate dream: to sing at the Metropolitan Opera House. (She was the first African-American soloist to do so.)

Throughout, we get a show more clear sense of the enormous obstacles Anderson faced in her quest to become a classically trained singer, which Ryan nicely emphasizes with lyrics from spirituals such as "Go Down Moses" and "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child." Selznick, using a warm sepia palette, spares no detail; one spread shows Marian auditioning for voice teacher Giuseppe Boghetti, and his office wall is covered floor-to-ceiling with portraits of opera stars. There's also a fine illustration of the mixed-race crowd at the Washington Monument, and in the post-script we learn that the bespectacled man with his eyes closed is meant to be Selznick's beloved uncle (who claimed to have been at the performance).

"When Marian Sings" is a wonderful way for children to learn about this towering figure of the arts, as well as the struggles African Americans have had to overcome (and are still overcoming). But be forewarned: after reading this book, you may find yourself, as I did, going down a Youtube rabbit hole of Marian Anderson clips—which, by the way, do not disappoint; her voice is extraordinary. show less

When Marian Sang is a beautiful portrayal of the life of African-American singer Marian Anderson. This picture book contains brief episodes highlighting important parts of Marian’s life along with snippets of spiritual lyrics, all harmoniously combined with stunning sepia illustrations that have an almost photographic quality to their focus. In describing Marian’s life and career, the book touches upon racial injustices, so it can be used as a teaching tool not only as an individual’s biography but also as glimpse into an era of segregation. Supplementary materials include author and illustrator notes that expand upon Marian’s life details, a bibliography of sorts, a timeline of important dates in Marian’s life, and a selected show more discography. Overall, this is a remarkable work that makes the reader want to check out that discography to hear Marian sing. show less

This book is too good! The pictures really give insight and are so intricate and vivid. The language of this book is poetic, descriptive and beautiful. I also love the vignettes on nearly every page because it gives more context for her singing habits and acts as a symbolic source of strength for Marian.
Marian Anderson, the first black opera singer in New York's Metropolitan Opera, was celebrated more abroad than she was in her own country. She faced countless acts of racial discrimination trying to sing in America's most prestigious places, where she knew she deserved to be. After being immediately disregarded with a highly revered music teacher, Giuseppe Boghetti, she mustered up the courage to show off her powerful voice anyway and show more was immediately signed. From then on her career exploded as she consistently broke racial barriers in the early 1920's and 30's. She even got some influential people on her side like Eleanor Roosevelt and her husband, the POTUS. Her legacy lives on as a voice "one was privileged to hear only once in a hundred years." show less

Goodreads Review:
A harmonious introduction to one of our country's most important singers and role models--as envisioned by Newbery Honoree Pam Muñoz Ryan and Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick.

Marian Anderson is best known for her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of her voice, the strength of her character, and the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story. Like the operatic arias Marian would come to sing, Ryan's text is as moving as a libretto, and Selznick's pictures as exquisitely detailed and elaborately designed as a stage set. What emerges most profoundly show more from their shared vision is a role model of courage. show less

When Marian Sang The True Recital of Marian Anderson The Voice of a Century
By Pam Munoz Ryan illustrated by Brian Selznick
5 stars
A beautifully written and illustrated book. Ryan delivers the facts of Marian Anderson’s life in a way that truly captures the woman’s character and the times that she lived. Selznick’s paintings are detailed, beautiful and as moving as the music.

A lovely picture-book biography of Marian Anderson, from her childhood in Philadelphia, her years in Europe, and her return to the United States, where she gave her famous concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Pam Muñoz Ryan's narrative flows well, and will involve the young reader in this story of a woman whose beautiful voice could not be silenced by adversity. Brian Selznick, recently awarded the Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, contributes gorgeous sepia-toned illustrations. A three-page afterword includes further historical and biographical information.

Recommended by my friend Kathryn, When Marian Sang is the kind of well-produced non-fiction that young readers will enjoy, being both informative and show more entertaining. I was charmed to see, in the Ovations section, that the author gives thanks to Mary Louise VanDyke, the director of American Hymnology at my alma mater, Oberlin College! show less