Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar

The Musical Story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Woman Who Invented Rock and Roll

A picture book biography of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the woman who invented rock and roll.

Author and illustrator Charnelle Pinkney Barlow imagines the childhood of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose rural roots inspired and helped create the music we still hear today. In this warm, inspiring tale, young readers will glimpse a life filled with music, community, and a drive to succeed.

"Music is the heart of our story," says Momma to young Rosetta, surprising her with her first guitar. Rosetta's strums sound like ker-plunks. But with practice and determination, she makes music, fingers hopping "like corn in a kettle," notes pouring over the church crowd "like summer rain washing the dust off a new day."

Children will see Rosetta's dream become reality through hard work and perseverance. And they'll learn the overlooked story of a pioneering Black artist, whose contribution to music history is only now being discovered.
  • NOMINEE | 2026
    Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2026
    South Carolina Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2024
    ALA Notable Children's Book
CHARNELLE PINKNEY BARLOW received her BFA in llustration from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and her MFA in the Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts, New York. Charnelle’s children's book illustrations include Everything in Its PlaceThe Real Santa, and Remember to Dream, Ebere. Charnelle lives in Indianapolis with her husband. When she's not drawing, she is baking, sewing, or reading with a cup of tea by her side. Find her online at callmechartreuse.com and follow her on Instagram at @callmechartreuse. View titles by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

About

A picture book biography of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the woman who invented rock and roll.

Author and illustrator Charnelle Pinkney Barlow imagines the childhood of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose rural roots inspired and helped create the music we still hear today. In this warm, inspiring tale, young readers will glimpse a life filled with music, community, and a drive to succeed.

"Music is the heart of our story," says Momma to young Rosetta, surprising her with her first guitar. Rosetta's strums sound like ker-plunks. But with practice and determination, she makes music, fingers hopping "like corn in a kettle," notes pouring over the church crowd "like summer rain washing the dust off a new day."

Children will see Rosetta's dream become reality through hard work and perseverance. And they'll learn the overlooked story of a pioneering Black artist, whose contribution to music history is only now being discovered.

Awards

  • NOMINEE | 2026
    Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2026
    South Carolina Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2024
    ALA Notable Children's Book

Author

CHARNELLE PINKNEY BARLOW received her BFA in llustration from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and her MFA in the Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts, New York. Charnelle’s children's book illustrations include Everything in Its PlaceThe Real Santa, and Remember to Dream, Ebere. Charnelle lives in Indianapolis with her husband. When she's not drawing, she is baking, sewing, or reading with a cup of tea by her side. Find her online at callmechartreuse.com and follow her on Instagram at @callmechartreuse. View titles by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

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