CORETTA SCOTT

Actress Phylicia Rashad beautifully proves the power of the word and the voice in this short biography of Coretta Scott King. Rashad’s clear, smooth voice delivers Shange's text with little embellishment. To praise the minimalism might mislead, as the spareness of text and expression emphasizes the power and poetry of this listening experience. The program shows a mastery of subtle effects—the soft sound of hands clapping, a wet footstep, or the swelling chorus of voices—creating a soundscape below Rashad's words. Paired with Kadir Nelson's illustrations of the hardcover book, this audiobook for all ages is a treasure and should not be relegated to the young. Coretta's epilogue biography, also read by Rashad, fills in some details and defines historical elements that enrich listener understanding. R.F.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2014]