A is for Aretha: Teaching Music History with Board Books
By Books of Wonder | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use the board book 'A is for Aretha' to introduce toddlers to music history and Black women musicians in a fun, age-appropriate way.
Quick answer
Use 'A is for Aretha' as a starting point to introduce toddlers to music history by pairing each letter with a short song clip or story about the featured Black women musicians.
Why start with a board book?
Board books are built to survive baby hands and mouths, making them ideal for repeated reading sessions. 'A is for Aretha' combines sturdy pages with real cultural content, so you can talk about music history without worrying about torn pages.
A common concern is whether toddlers can grasp historical figures. The key is to keep it playful: focus on the sounds, colors, and rhythm of the names rather than dates or achievements.
How to teach music history with 'A is for Aretha'
- Read the letter and name together: Point to the letter and say the musician's name clearly. For example, 'A is for Aretha.' Repeat it a few times so your child hears the rhythm. Common mistake: rushing through the names. Slow down and let your child touch the page.
- Add a sound or song clip: After naming the musician, play a 10-15 second clip of one of their songs. Keep it short and upbeat to hold attention. Checkpoint: If your child loses focus, skip the clip and just hum a tune instead.
- Connect to a simple action or emotion: Say something like 'Aretha made people feel strong with her voice. Can you clap like you feel strong?' This ties the history to a physical movement. Common mistake: expecting your child to remember facts. The goal is exposure, not memorization.
- Repeat and rotate: Read the book several times over a week, but only highlight 3-4 letters per session. Rotate which letters you focus on to keep it fresh. Checkpoint: If your child starts naming the musicians on their own, you've built a solid foundation.
Product spotlight
- A is for Aretha: This ABC board book spotlights 26 Black women musicians whose artistry and activism globally changed the way we hear and interact with music. Each letter introduces a real musician, giving you a natural hook to play a short song or share a simple fact about that person during story time.
A is for Aretha
