Synopses & Reviews
Elizabeth’s Song tells the inspirational story based on the young life of the noted African American folksinger, guitarist, and songwriter, Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten. Elizabeth borrows a guitar from a friend and teaches herself to play it left-handed. Eventually, Elizabeth earns enough money to buy a guitar of her own and, when only eleven years old, writers her first song. That song, “Freight Train,” has become a folk music classic. Elizabeth’s unique style of playing guitar (upside down and backwards), from which the term “cotton-picking” is derived, has inspired countless other artists.
Review
An inspiring true story.
—Pete Seeger
Review
What a wonderful way to bring Elizabeth's legacy to new generations to come.
—Bonnie Raitt
Review
A lovely story.
—Gordon Lightfoot
Synopsis
Historical-fiction based on the young life of Elizabeth Libba Cotten, the noted African American folksinger, who wrote the famous song Freight Train when she was just eleven years old.
Elizabeth's Song is the true-life story of Elizabeth Cotton, the noted African American folksinger, guitarist, and songwriter. Against all odds, young Elizabeth teaches herself to play guitar left-handed on a borrowed instrument. Eventually, she earns enough money to buy a guitar of her very own, and is then inspired to write her first song - the folk classic Freight Train, written when she was eleven years old. Elizabeth's unique style of playing guitar (upside down and backwards), from which the term cotton-picking is derived, has influenced countless other artists. Elizabeth's story is one that will inspire people of all ages.
About the Author
Michael Wenberg is the adoptive father of three children from Korea. In addition to writing, Mike volunteers at his children's schools, works on his mini-farm, and plays trombone in a local jazz combo. A graduate of Gonzaga University, Mike now lives outside of Walla Walla, Washington. Elizabeth's Song is his first children's book.