This is a story of a young girl named Teresa, who got to play the piano for President Lincoln. Her parents introduced her to music, her father called Teresa’s hands “ahhpy hands”. Playing the piano did not come easily to Teresa because of her dyslexia. Although it was challenging, playing music gave her joy. By six and seven she was writing her own music and playing in beautiful capels. When she turned eight, a war turned her life upside down. Teresa and her parents had to immigrate on a ship to the United States. This made Teresa feel lost and homesick. She didn’t know how she was going to be able to share and play music ever again. This was during the Civil War, so there was fighting in the US too. Teresa comes to the realization that music can be people together and break down barriers. Because of this she practiced playing all different kinds of music and she became a big name in cities around her. She began traveling to play music and got to play for Abraham Lincoln. In Washington DC, there was a lot of pain from the people present from the war. All Teresa wanted to do was heal these people with her music. When she played for Lincoln, the music was poorly tuned but she still got to play his favorite song despite the challenging piano. From then on she always felt the courage to play music to give courage, despite the challenges she faces with her dyslexia.

I think this is a great book to have in a primary classroom as an option to read. I don't think a lot of formal discussion needs to be had about this story but I love that it is a true story and I think students might find it interesting.

Lushly illustrated biography of a Venezuelan refugee girl with an extraordinary talent that eventually was invited to play piano for President Lincoln in the White House.

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VERY deserving of the Pura Belpre award for Best Illustration. The story of Teresa and her leaving Venezuela is inspiring. It's a story so relevant you forget that it took place in the 1850s and 60s. Through music, she sought to bring healing to a divided nation. She played for Abraham Lincoln! Today, playing for a president is so divisive. How nice it would be to go back to the times of Teresa Carreno.

The illustrations are gorgeous! They are bright and colorful. They are used, in my opinion, as a way to depict Latin culture (which we associate with color and flowers) and show just how much she brought vibrancy to a saddened, a blue and gray, nation. ( )

Such an amazing story on Teresa Carreño's life and his greatest accomplishment, the art was beautiful. would add to collection. It shows preservence and overcoming the refugee struggles.