Dancing hands: How Teresa Carreño Played Piano for President Lincoln

A picture book and Pura Belpre winner by illustrator Rafael Lopez and author Magarita Engle. Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played Piano for President Lincoln was reviewed with praise by School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Horn Book. The book begins with Teresa Carreno living in her country of Venezuela when civil war breaks out and her family must flee for the United States. Once in the U.S. she must acclimate herself to her new life and find a way to play piano. Eventually, things change, and Teresa learns to enjoy piano while being recognized for her inspiring talent. She is invited to the White House by President Abraham Lincoln to play the piano for his family. Magarita Engle and Rafael Lopez collaborated on Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music, which received acclaim through school library journals like Kirkus Review and Booklist.

Teacher can use this as a push for student to research further into the United States Civil War and Latinos in this era. Correspondingly, students taking a fine arts course can research into famous Latino musicians in this era.

Engle, M. (2019). Dancing hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln. (R. Lopez, Illust.) Atheneum Books for Young Readers.