Caitlin DeLems enjoys playing piano and violin, and she loves the magic of symphony concert halls. Caitlin has carved out a niche writing history picture books about unknown but determined female musicians and composers. Her debut title Pitch Perfect and Persistent! earned a Kirkus Reviews starred review. Tonya Engel is an award-winning artist and Illustrator of more than 30 children's books, many of which feature Black women in history. Her titles include Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste, Hidden Figures- The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, Rise! From Cages Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, A Voice Named Aretha by Katheryn Russell-Brown, Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth by Michelle Duster, and many others. In addition to children's books, Tonya's art can be found on prints, greeting cards, and textiles.
“A tribute to the perseverance of an underrecognized Black composer…Bea Price’s contributions to the musical world surely warrant a biography, and this one makes a strong case for her impressive body of music. Relying on a pastel palette and precise period details, Engel’s delicate illustrations bring both warmth and energy to the narrative. A much-needed account.” – Kirkus Reviews “Readers enticed by this remembrance to seek out [Price’s] music won’t be disappointed.” –Booklist “The book celebrates Price’s awe-inspiring determination and talent, offering a compelling look at a woman who broke barriers in classical music. VERDICT This is an engaging introduction to an important, often overlooked figure in Black history and a great choice for children’s music education or Women’s or Black History Month.” – School Library Journal ""Through snappy sentences and sonorous diction, DeLems imbues this text with musicality, while Engel’s acrylic and oil paintings emphasize movement and light in a biography that zooms in on the figure’s career triumphs."" —Publishers Weekly