Atombank Books Releases First Children’s Book About Pete Seeger

ALBANY, N.Y. - July 21, 2015 - PRLog -- Pete Seeger, the man who taught Martin Luther King We Shall Overcome and was called “a great American” by Johnny Cash, was a hero to millions. He influenced a generation of folk singers and was a powerful voice in the fight for workers’ rights, the peace movement, and environmental clean-up thanks to songs like Turn! Turn! Turn!, If I Had a Hammer, and Where Have All the Flowers Gone?. Pete Seeger, The People’s Singer, is the first book for young readers to capture the legendary folk singers many achievements.

Pete Seeger, The People’s Singer by music critic John Briggs focuses on Pete’s life growing up in New York with his musical parents, but goes on to discuss his friendship with Woody Guthrie, his service during World War II, and his rise to the top of the charts with The Weavers. It then focuses on the many problems Pete faced and the rewards he received, from rioters in Peekskill, New York to being blacklisted in show business to his eventual victory over Congress and credit for cleaning up the Hudson River.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have written the first children’s book about Pete Seeger,” says author John Briggs. “He’s been a hero of mine for decades, and I think young readers will be amazed by all that he did when the odds were so stacked against him.”

The 103-page middle-grade biography is written for 3^rd-7^th grade students and meets Department of Education standards for biographical materials. It is good for the individual reader or classroom discussions on civil rights, organized labor, and the First Amendment. It features 32 photographs, 15 sidebars with additional information, a timeline of events, and a glossary of essential terms.

“Plenty of parents who admired Pete Seeger will want their children to know more about him so they can follow in his footsteps,” says publisher Amy Tombank. “We think Pete Seeger, The People’s Singer is a great way to help them do that.”

Author John Briggs plans to donate 10% of his book royalties to the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, the organization founded by Pete Seeger, to keep the Hudson River clean and educate children about the need for a healthy environment.

Pete Seeger, The People’s Singer is currently available in print from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Seeger-Peoples-Singer-Biography/dp/0990516075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437490827&sr=8-1&keywords=pete+seeger+the+people%27s+singer) (http://www.amazon.com/Pete-Seeger-Peoples-Singer-Biograph...) for $6.99. The ebook will be available for purchase on Tuesday, July 28^th, followed by wider distribution to Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, and ebook distributors.

Atombank Books, based in Guilderland, New York, was founded by Amy Tombank, a long-time preschool teacher and mother of three. It publishes quality non-fiction books for pre-schoolers through middle-grade readers, including the best-selling Big Biography book Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent. Find out more at atombankbooks.com.

John Briggs is a former music critic and nationally syndicated children’s TV critic. His other books for Atombank include Mary Dyer, Friend of Freedom and Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent. Find out more at johnbriggsbooks.net.