Discover the untold story of Ella Jenkins, the First Lady of Children's Music. While many know her from Sesame Street and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, few realize that her groundbreaking career in children's music was rooted in the fight for equality. A young girl in a segregated Chicago, Ella found her passion for music early on, believing in its potential to bring people together. This biography follows Ella's trailblazing career from her early life influenced by jazz greats like Cab Calloway to her cross-country tours. Ella brought global sounds and stories to homes and classrooms everywhere and united people at a time of division. A Life of Song: The Story of Ella Jenkins tells the extraordinary story of a woman who has fearlessly crossed boundaries to share music and use it as a tool to fight racism. It's a story that asks readers of all ages, "will YOU sing a song together?" Why We Love This Book "Ella Jenkins is an amazing musical figure that many may have heard about, but unfortunately know little about," notes author Dr. Taylor. "Ms. Jenkins has used music as a tool to bridge and unite people across the world, especially in the highly divisive times of the U.S. Civil Rights era. Hopefully, readers will carry on her legacy of uniting by sharing this book with others, and in the process I hope that it makes them smile and sing." "Children of all ages have sung the songs of Ella Jenkins over and over for generations, and now they will want to read this book again and again! Ty-Juana Taylor and Jade Johnson masterfully express the warmth and joy of Ella's music and the beauty to be found in her inspiring journey." - Elizabeth Mitchell, songwriter and musician "What a beautiful way to share the story of someone who has inspired so many of us to lift our voices and sing: Ella Jenkins, The First Lady of Children's Music. May this introduce a whole new generation to her uplifting music!" - Dan Zanes, Grammy Award Winning Performer, and Claudia Zanes, Music Therapist and Jazz Vocalist Written by Ty-Juana Taylor Ty-Juana Taylor is an endless learner. Born and raised in the small town of Smiths Grove, Kentucky, Ty-Juana received her Masters Degree in Social Welfare and a PhD. in ethnomusicology from UCLA. While always hungry for knowledge, she thinks of herself as being more than just a scholar. Ty-Juana understands the value of community, the power of advocacy, and the importance of valuing the marginalized. She is a proponent of ""Because of them, we can"" and that echoes in all of her work. Ty-Juana believes it is essential that she uplifts the voices and stories of people of color and the marginalized in all that she does as an educator, advocate, and therapist. Illustrated by Jade Johnson Jade Johnson is a New Orleans based illustrator. After receiving her BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design, she taught visual arts in non-profit arts education programs until hanging up her apron in 2021. Her work has been recognized by Creative Quarterly, Applied Arts, and the Society of Illustrators.