Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing

by Leda Schubert, Raúl Colón (Illustrations)

Listen.
There was nobody like Pete Seeger.
Wherever he went, he got people singing.
With his head thrown back
and his Adam s apple bouncing,
picking his long-necked banjo
or strumming his twelve-string guitar,
Pete sang old songs,
new songs,
new words to old songs,
and songs he made up.

In this tribute to legendary musician and activist Pete Seeger, author Leda Schubert highlights major musical events in Mr. Seeger's life as well important moments of his fight against social injustice. From singing sold-out concerts to courageously standing against the McCarthy-era finger-pointing, Pete Seeger's life is celebrated in this book.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Music, Nonfiction, History, Social Justice, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 13, 2017

About the author

Leda Schubert is the author of several picture books, including Nathan's Song, illustrated by Maya Ish-Shalom; Trailblazer: The Story of Ballerina Raven Wilkinson; Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing, and Monsieur Marceau, which won the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. She lives in Vermont with her husband and two dogs.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

People of a certain age grew up with the songs of Pete Seeger. And singing along at a concert, or in any public gathering. And dancing outside. Music connected to political movements, fair housing, anti-war, women’s suffrage. The stuff I posted below isn’t his angriest political work, but it still is folk music with a political edge. Sung during a time when fighting for justice felt hopeful and important.

A Young Pete Seeger singing “Where Have all the Flowers Gone”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1tqt...

“We Shall Overcome”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhnPV...

Seeger with the Weavers, in the fifties, “Goodnight, Irene”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSDyi...

The last Weavers reunion concert, 2008, “Irene”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLvk-...

“If I Had a Hammer,” 1956:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl-ys...

Seeger and his friend Woody Guthrie didn’t want to just sing for you, they wanted people to sing with them. Seeger in particular ran his concerts—I’d seen and sung with him as an audience member many times in my life—as a way to teach songs to new generations all over the country. You couldn't keep him from singing and speaking to issues of social justice and oppression. When Congress brought him in to accuse him of being a Commie, he sang to them. He was jailed many times in his life.

There are 114 books listed on Goodreads as about Seeger, many of them children’s picture books. This one is okay. The best thing about this one, I guess, is the lovely illustration work of Raúl Colón, though it might be a bit too romanticized and just not edgy enough for my idea of him as a political activist. Not funky enough. But it’s beautiful. And is a way in for kids.

This is book about Seeger as singer, as teacher of songs, and it highlights lots of song titles, but doesn’t post lyrics. It’s also missing the actual songs, of course, so it is just the wrong format for getting to know a singer. It needs a digital mixed media format, ideally. So, read it and listen to the songs, I guess, as it is happening in this house right now. We need to keep Seeger alive, so pick any one of the 114 books and listen.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

i interviewed the author of this book on my radio show, on KKUP, today. I mused that it is just as hard to write a biography in picture book form, as in full on adult biography. You have to do the same amount of research, as you would normally, and then you have to cut out all the words that you can so that the story is short enough to be an easy to read picture book.

Do you learn things by reading this? Yes, I did. Do you k now that Pete Seeger was who got people interested in helping to clean up the Hudson River? That until he came along, people just said, oh, there is nothing we can do, and he said, yes there was.

Did you know that during the UnAmerican Activities questioning, in the 1950s, that unlike everyone else pleading the 5th, so that they would not incriminate themselves, he plead the 1st amendment, the freedom of speech. He even offered to sing a song to congress. They turned him down.

The only thing this book is missing is a CD to go along with it, or lyrics, but apparently that would have been prohibitively expensive. But, as the author said, you can always go to YouTube and listen to his music.


Thanks to Gayles Leander Wright, and the publisher for providing this book for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a few months ago, I read and shared Stand Up and Sing!: Pete Seeger, Folk Music & The Path To Justice by Susanna Reich. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and now in the past day, have read this second picture book about whom former President Obama called the "tuning fork" of our time. This book tells the story of Pete's life with each page of text ending in a song or a list of songs that he wrote and sang. There is a brief part of the hardest part of his life when he was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, but he kept singing and kept inspiring people to gather, sing and sing for causes. I had the pleasure of taking my young children to see him one magical evening. He came off the stage and sang to them, and others on the front row. I will never forget it. The book's illustrations are colorful muted paintings in Raul Colón's unique style. Leda Schubert has added extra information in the back matter: a lovely afterword about her relationship with Pete, a timeline, endnotes, recommended books and recordings. It's a terrific addition to books about Pete Seeger.

[Gary Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing is a worthy picture book tribute to the iconic folksinger. The lyrical text begins with “Listen,” an imperative repeated several times. The difference between “listen” and “hear” is a call to pay attention to what is going on beneath and behind the words and tunes of Pete Seeger’s songs.

Most pages of the text includes brief lists of two or three titles of songs associated with that page’s content. While most of the songs are not explained, some titles are well known, which creates a kind of imagined soundtrack for reading this book. The lesser-known titles may intrigue readers to investigate them.

Raúl Colón’s artwork can almost stand alone without text. His textured illustrations have a nostalgic glow that perfectly matches Leda Schubert’s portrayal of Pete Seeger’s idealism and optimism.

If you’re only going to add one Pete Seeger picture book to a collection, I recommend Listen. Seeger’s life is explained in an evocative voice, and the role of folk songs and folk singers in those tumultuous times is conveyed without being overtly didactic. Schubert and Colón hit all the right notes here.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to Pete Seeger by my Welsh father, who loved American folk music, and I've never stopped listening to him. In her biography of this great American folk singer and activist, Leda Schubert really captures the commitment Pete Seeger had to his music, his fan, and his political beliefs. She deftly shows that while the country was willing to participate by singing along with him, and the two musical groups he was a member of (the Almanacs and the Weavers), it was his politics that got him in trouble with the House Un-American Activities Committee, who questioned whether or not he was a true American (which made me wonder if they had ever listened to the words of "This Land is Your Land"). Pete was indicted and blacklisted by the committee, and work really dried up for him for four years before his conviction was overturned. Pete went right back to singing and activism, joining the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to fight racism, and later, protesting the Vietnam Wars, and always emphasizing the importance of people's participation. Woven into Pete Seeger's life story are the names of the songs he wrote at each juncture, songs were have been singing ever since in school, in camp, and inside our heads after hearing them played somewhere, which I consider a testament to their appeal.

Schubert includes one of Pete's passions that many people don't know much about and that was his love for the Hudson River and his efforts to clean up the pollutions caused by years of chemical waster dumping in it. Now, anyone who has recently driven over the Tappen Zee Bridge or the Bear Mountain Bridge can readily see how his efforts have paid off.

Raúl Colón's soft, textured watercolor and colored pencil illustrations really capture the spirit of Pete Seeger's beliefs and music, and the power they held for his audiences wherever he played. Schubert writes that Pete "cared about justice, peace, equality, and people everywhere" and what could be more inspiring for young readers, especially in today's world.

Back matter includes an Author's Note, a Timeline of Pete's life, Endnotes, a Selected Bibliography, a list of books Pete wrote for children, and recommended recordings. Sadly, my dad's old crackly Pete Seeger 78 RPM records didn't survive they were played so much, but that's OK, I know all the words by heart and have passed them on to my Kiddo and my young readers.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit, I have a special place in my heart for picture book biographies. I'm not sure why I love them so much, maybe it's the beautiful artwork that usually accompanies them. Or maybe it's the way the authors have to work so hard to choose just the right words to describe the person. Whatever the reason, I was happy to pick up this book about Pete Seeger. While I came after Seeger's time, I am very familiar with a lot of the songs that he brought to the world. In fact, I was amazed at how many of the songs that Schubert listed in her text I recognized.

At a time when there is so much contention and disagreement in the world, it was refreshing to read this beautiful book about someone who worked hard to bring unity and peace. Someone who used his talents to inspire people to change themselves and then change the world around them. Unlike many who like to talk about change, Seeger worked to bring about change, he really walked the talk. Schubert's text does a great job of introducing this man in a way that children can understand and appreciate. I loved the way she integrated his song titles into the text as she talked about the issues that he worked so hard for.

As for the illustrations, the minute I saw Colon's name on the book, I knew they would be gorgeous. And I was right. The soft texture of his illustrations suits the subject of the book to a tee. This is a book that I would highly recommend, not just for the historical impact that Seeger made, but for the inspiring example he could be for us today, through both his beautiful music and his focus on community.

[Hollowell Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

LISTEN is a powerful biography written by Leda Schubert and illustrated by Raul Colon. The multi-talented Pete Seeger was a musician, a folksinger, and a mighty stage presence. He was also a peace activist and naturalist. His life was not without difficulty, as he was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. But Pete sang on and, in the 21st century, he is an American icon.

Pete Seeger's popular song titles, including his version of "We Shall Overcome," "Down by the Riverside," and "If I Had a Hammer" (with Woody Guthrie) are printed in blue, while the rest of the narrative is in black font. The gorgeous illustrations use a complimentary blue & gold pallet and are distinctively Raul Colon. His mixed-media images feature Pete Seeger, his friends, his fans, even his enemies, using silhouettes, line drawings, and soft textures.

Be sure to read the Author’s Note, where Leda Schubert shares her own encounters with Pete Seeger. She is a musician and singer, as well, and her love and devotion are palpable. Her words reverberate. She writes, “Listen. There was nobody like Pete Seeger.” This picture book is suitable for children, parents, musicians, and teachers, alike.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Kid Lit Exchange for access to a free review copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

A beautiful biography of a great musician and activist. Pete Seeger used his songs to spread messages of “justice, peace, equality, and a cleaner environment.” The meaning of many of his songs is referenced throughout the biography as it details major events from his life. Elementary children will love the illustrations and it would be great to go beyond the book by listening to some of his songs. I recognized so many songs that I didn't realize were Seeger's works. The historical context and issues in this book might be lost on younger kids, although the general idea of standing up for what you believe in comes through loud and clear. However, it would be GREAT for middle or high school classes doing Classroom Book A Day to explore some political events in 20th century US history.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Seeger loved to sing. He sang everywhere he went and people sang with him all over the USA. He was a passionate American citizen who marched for human rights, wrote songs, sang songs, got people involved. He believed participation would save the human race. It even got him into trouble because someone said he wasn't a true American citizen!

Lovely true story with gorgeous illustrations.

[Sue Mosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book about Pete Seeger and how he led others to sing along with him. (There is a history timeline in the back, too.) The only thing that would have improved it is including the lyrics to the songs instead of just the titles. Of course, then it would have been a much thicker book!

[Angela De Groot · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Pete Seeger with his songs and music inspired change. A very hands on man.
“Participation. That’s what’s gonna save the human race.”

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The radio show, Prairie Home Companion, is where I first heard of Pete Seeger. By reading this book, I realized that I had heard a lot of his songs over the years without knowing it -- Where have all the flowers gone -- If I had a hammer -- and This land is your land, with fellow singer, Woody Guthrie among others. Great illustrations by Raul Colon who really captured the way Pete Singer looked when he sang, according to the videos I looked up.

[Sarah Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someday I'll read a bio of Pete Seeger written for adults (or his memoir). But it's comforting that there are so many quality books written for children about a guy who loved to sing for and with children.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to be missed!

[Mr. Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete Seeger. My favorite raging liberal :)

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two new books out this year on Pete Seeger. One is for older children (Stand Up and Sing: Pete Seeger, Folk Music, and The Path to Justice by Susanna Reich), and this one is for younger kids. Interestingly, both authors saw Seeger perform when they were young, and were very influenced by him.

Leda Schubert writes at the beginning of this book:

“Listen.
There was nobody like Pete Seeger.
Wherever he went, he got people singing.”

She tells a bit about his favorite songs, and about his social activism:

“Listen.
Pete participated his whole life.
He led marches to end wars;
He stood on peace lines in cold and snow, heat and rain.”

She explains how he traveled the country with his good friend and fellow singer and activist Woody Guthrie. He was called before The House Un-American Activities Committee of the United States Congress and questioned about his protests. She reports:

“Pete said, ‘I love my country very deeply,’
Offered to sing a song,
And stood by his First Amendment right,
The right of free speech.”

Seeger was then part of the singing group "The Weavers," and the government accusations cost them concert bookings and television appearances. But Seeger just kept on traveling, and kept on singing. And he didn’t just say things, Schubert writes, he did things. As the Chicago Tribune reported in his obituary:

"Seeger became a beacon to many artists on the emerging folk scene of the ‘60s, co-founding the Newport Folk Festival in 1959. 'We all owe our careers to him,” Joan Baez said. The Kingston Trio's version of Seeger's anti-war song 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?' and Peter, Paul and Mary's take on 'If I Had a Hammer' were early ‘60s pop hits."

Schubert writes in her Author’s Note at the end of the book:

“Over the course of his ninety-four years, Pete Seeger sang so much, did so much, wrote so much, spoke so much, and influenced so many people that at times he seemed to be everywhere at once. He recorded more than fifty albums . . . and devoted much of his life and music to the fights for justice, peace, equality, and a cleaner environment. . . . . He believed in the power of community and he created communities everywhere he went.”

The New York Times wrote in his obituary:

“For Mr. Seeger, folk music and a sense of community were inseparable, and where he saw a community, he saw the possibility of political action.

In his hearty tenor, Mr. Seeger, a beanpole of a man who most often played 12-string guitar or five-string banjo, sang topical songs and children’s songs, humorous tunes and earnest anthems, always encouraging listeners to join in. His agenda paralleled the concerns of the American left: He sang for the labor movement in the 1940s and 1950s, for civil rights marches and anti-Vietnam War rallies in the 1960s, and for environmental and antiwar causes in the 1970s and beyond. “We Shall Overcome,” which Mr. Seeger adapted from old spirituals, became a civil rights anthem.”

The book concludes with a timeline, endnotes, selected biography, list of books for children, and perhaps most importantly, a list of recommended recordings.

The artwork by the prolific Puerto Rican American illustrator Raúl Colón employs his trademark style of watercolor washes, colored pencils, grainy paper, and an etching instrument to achieve an effect somewhere between intaglio and pointillism. The muted palette suggests a time in the past.

Evaluation: Both of the new books out on Seeger are lovely, and suggest that there are many different ways to be active on social issues. I hope parents will supplement the reading with a selection of Seeger’s songs. Children have always loved them, and of course the adults may have their own memories associated with his music.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

How wonderful to have a partial picture book biography about social activist Pete Seeger who used his songs to rouse others to stand up and speak out for what was right! The illustrations are sun-drenched and show Seeger as he is singing and strumming. The author uses repetition through the word "Listen" to encourage readers to pause, think, and pay attention to the story being told here. In many respects, that technique is effective, particularly since so many words, sounds, images, and messages assault our senses today, and it's a good reminder for readers to realize that the lyrics in songs often have significance. Not only does music make us feel good, but it may stir our souls in certain instances. Readers follow Seeger along as he traveled across the country with Woody Guthrie and then when he joined a band who sang several familiar songs. When he was investigated for alleged Communist activities, things got hard for Pete, and it was hard for him to find any gigs. Eventually, it was decided that he was not guilty of the allegations, and he became deeply involved in the various protest movements in the 1960s, using his songs to raise awareness about war and peace and social justice. Somehow his songs touched the hearts of listeners, who raised their own voices in song even while feeling that they were part of a community who cared about the world around them. A timeline and an Author's Note provide additional information about this man who spent his life singing and inspiring others to sing. While it isn't necessary that all songs have a message, reading this book reminded me of the impact songs can have to inspire social change and to link those involved in various social movements. There is little doubt that every reader out there knows quite well some of the songs Pete Seeger sang all over this land. This title is an excellent addition to a collection on musicians and one on social activists.

[Jo-ann Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner
Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy of Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing. All opinions are my own. This beautiful picture book tells the story of Pete Seeger. Pete Seeger was an American folk singer and a social activist. He is known for writing such songs as “If I Had a Hammer,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” He also recorded many other popular folk songs. Wherever he went, Pete got people to sing, both adults and children. He was also known for standing up for what he believed in, whether it was marching to end wars, joining rallies to support unions, or fighting to keep rivers clean. He stood by his First Amendment right of free speech when he was cited for contempt of Congress and accused of being unAmerican. Eventually his conviction was overturned. Throughout his life, Pete always sang- whether it was solo, with his friend Woody Guthrie, or with groups such as the Weavers or the Almanac Singers. People everywhere continued to sing Pete’s songs- “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” “We Shall Overcome,” This Land is Your Land,” and many more. He received many awards and honors during his life, including Grammy Awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This book does a great job of teaching children about Pete Seeger, his music, and what he believed in. The illustrations that accompany the text on each page are gorgeous. I think children will enjoy reading this story and listening to some of the songs that Pete Seeger recorded! Though I knew his songs, I did not know much about Pete Seeger. I enjoyed learning about his life and doing some further research to get more information about him. My husband is a musician, and after reading the book, he and I had a nice conversation about Seeger’s music.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Schubert, Leda Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing. PICTURE BOOK. Pictures by Raul Colon. Roaring Brook, 2017. $18.

Pete Seeger sang his way through in order to buoy spirits and impart messages. Seeger is the epitome of the role of folk singer, if not the originator. Extremely popular in the 1960’s, he is virtually unknown by children today.

This narrative is rather sparse and more along the lines of a list of Seeger’s songs. This would be perhaps useful as an introduction to the 60’s, Pete Seeger, or folk singing. Other than that, however, it is not a compelling read on its own. If you want a better book at Seeger, try Stand Upand Sing by Susanna Reich.

EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Ro Menendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete Seeger was not just a musician and singer, he was intent on motivating his audience to participate, join in, be part of the movement. Whether that movement was singing along with him, marching for equal rights, appreciating the Hudson River and working towards making its water clean or creating a handbook so anyone could learn to play the banjo; Seeger was a man of action, who believed in community as the solution to many problem. The author of this literary biography cunningly inserts many of the titles of Seeger's songs into the narrative, offering the reader evidence of how through music he aimed to create awareness, celebrate, or just plain enjoy life's moments. A timeline is included at the end, as well as why the author was inspired to write this biography in the Author's Notes.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant look at the famous folk singer and activist. All quotes are sourced. The book is written in simple text very like a song, repeating "Listen" like a refrain, "What trouble? This trouble" etc. Includes titles of many of his songs in the text, and they're in quotation marks and a colored font. Timeline includes details on the day he died, and a quote from President Obama's statement about him at the time. The book doesn't cover his childhood, just how he played songs wherever he went, encouraged audience to sing along, he also participated in marches and cleanups, and encouraged that too. Beautiful colorful realistic illustrations.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pete Seeger was a legendary musician, social activist, and children’s author. This picture book biography uses simple, yet almost lyrical text (with stanzas that start with the word “Listen”) and beautiful illustrations to tell the story of how this man encouraged so many people to get involved in making the world a better place. A biographical timeline and bibliographic references make this book a good nonfiction resource for any bookshelf and a terrific starting point for further research. This book would also pair well with Abiyoyo by Pete Seeger. It would also be fun to share videos and recordings of Seeger’s most popular songs with young readers who may be unfamiliar with him.

[Shannon Benbow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy reading biographies. I especially enjoy them when I learn about someone from history that I am unfamiliar with. I have to admit I had never heard about Pete Seeger or his music. However, learning about how through his music, he helped America during difficult times. Also, how he stood up for what he believed in and never gave up. Finally, how he cared about our natural resources. I like the quote from the book "Pete walked the talk". That pretty much sums up his life.

Thank you Kid Lit Exchange for sharing this book with us.

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet book. It speaks of the joy and the love that Pete Seeger used to bring people together. There’s something so wholesome, traditional, and warm about hearing Pete Seeger’s words singing from the page. I looked up the song titles that I didn’t know and the ones that I did know, I sang in my head. He brought people together with song and several times stood up for the disenfranchised— the river, the soldiers of Vietnam, racism, labour unions. I also love Raul Colon’s illustrations that speak of a dreamy past.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful paean to Pete Seeger and his influence on the music, culture, and politics of his time. Colón's art beautifully captures the people and sites of the tumultuous period in which Seeger lived, worked, and sang. Both text and illustration make readers want to share the songs. Author's note and timeline round out this excellent picture book celebration of a man who helped change the trajectory of U.S. policy.

[Lauren Kerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tremendously enjoyed LISTEN: HOW PETE SEEGER GOT AMERICA SINGING. Leda highlighted details about Pete Seeger's influence, passion, and advocacy that I didn't know and was thrilled to learn. The engaging text and powerful illustrations make this book very special indeed. I highly recommend this book. It offers a balm in today's chaotic world.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written biography on singer Pete Seeger. Kids probably won't pick this one up on their own but if a parent or grandparent who is a fan introduces them, I think they will learn a lot about the singer and about American history. Excellent back matter.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange, #partner ❤️ Thank you, #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book! Opinion is my own ❤️ I enjoyed reading this biography about folk musician, Pete Seeger...I did not know much about him, but this beautifully illustrated book certainly sparked my interest! 👍🏻👍🏻

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biography of Pete Seeger and how he helped people take action in their neighborhoods for justice and equality. His songs will make people listen and take notice for years to come.

The illustrations certainly added an authentic note to the various time periods and settings.

[Cat Fithian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great juvenile biography of Pete. Covers the main points beautifully. Lovely illustrations by Raul Colon.