Rebecca Reads: Dancing Hands, How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln

Rebecca Reads: Dancing Hands, How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln By Margarita Engle
As a little girl, Teresa Carreño loved to let her hands dance across the beautiful keys of the piano. If she felt sad, music cheered her up, and when she was happy, the piano helped her share that joy. Soon she was writing her own songs and performing in grand cathedrals. Then a revolution in Venezuela forced her family to flee to the United States. Teresa felt lonely in this unfamiliar place, where few of the people she met spoke Spanish. Worst of all, there was fighting in her new home, too-the Civil War.
Still, Teresa kept playing, and soon she grew famous as the talented Piano Girl who could play anything from a folk song to a sonata. So famous, in fact, that President Abraham Lincoln wanted her to play at the White House! Could Teresa’s music bring comfort to those who needed it most?
By Margarita Engle
Illustrated by Rafael López
You can find this book in your local library or bookstore! Great for ages 4-8.
Please note this book mentions war (the Civil War) and that President Lincoln's son passed away due to illness, to share how music can help people find comfort.
Rebecca Reads is a children's storytime series devoted to helping children learn about the world through books. As a nanny, Rebecca realized that the majority of children's books feature a male character, even when the characters are animals. This series is specifically geared toward presenting children with a diverse group of female characters with the goal of empowering young girls, promoting creativity and imagination. As an actor with extensive babysitting experience, Rebecca brings her excitement and silliness to each video, ending with a goodbye song and demonstrating that reading can be fun. A great free resource for nannies, guardians, and parents.
Copyright disclaimer: I do not own the written content in the book nor the illustrations. All rights belong to its rightful owner. No copyright infringement intended.