Whitney Houston · A little voice, a world of song

ZENA MEETS

Whitney Houston

A little voice, a world of song

Written by Zen Bloom
Art direction by Rowan Vale

A little book to read together.
Turn the page and come along!

Book 09 in the ZenBloomBooks collection

Hello, little explorer!

Zena is our storybook guide. She dresses up and acts out ideas from this real person’s life.

The girl in these pictures is Zena. The story is about Whitney Houston.

Read. Point. Wonder. Play.

MEET THE REAL PERSON

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston grew up in a musical family in New Jersey, in the United States. Her mother was a singer, and Whitney sang in a church choir. She practised, made records and became a singer heard around the world.

Zena sings happily into a simple toy microphone in a bright home room, a small soft rug and plant nearby

A girl could hear a song.

And loved to sing along.

With music all around,

She found her own bright sound.

Zena listens and sings beside a friendly mother figure playing a piano at home

Her mother sang each day.

And helped her find her way.

She listened, learned and tried.

With music by her side.

Zena and three diverse child choir friends sing together in a simple church hall, holding plain folders with no text

A choir sang as one.

And practice had begun.

Some voices, low or high,

Rose softly to the sky.

Zena practises gently beside a piano, looking at a few simple abstract musical-note symbols on a stand

She practised notes and sound.

With music all around.

Each little breath and try

Helped songs grow strong and high.

Zena sings in a simple recording booth with comfortable headphones and one large silver studio microphone, a notebook on a stool

A microphone stood near.

To catch her voice so clear.

She sang with time and care.

A song for all to share.

Zena proudly holds a plain teal record sleeve with only one original coral flower symbol, next to a simple record player

Her first big record played.

And many fans were made.

Her songs went near and far.

A voice became a star.

Zena sings on a small blue stage under two warm round spotlights, wearing her simple teal dress and signature flower, glasses and curls

Bright lights. A waiting crowd.

Her singing rang out loud.

A song could fill the air.

For everyone to share.

Zena bows on the stage before a small happy diverse audience, with colourful simple shapes suggesting celebration

She sang in places new.

And crowds of people grew.

They listened, sang along.

And shared the joy of song.

Zena rests on a quiet backstage chair, holding a cup of water, her microphone safely on the table

A voice needs kindness, too.

Like all the parts of you.

A drink, a rest, a pause.

Not only loud applause.

Zena and three child friends make music together at home using a small keyboard, tambourine and hand claps

A clap, a hum, a beat.

A song with tapping feet.

No voice sounds quite like you.

What song will you make new?

Look again

Point to the choir.

How many singers can you see?

Can people sing together

and sound different, too?

Zena stands with open hands, inviting you to try an activity, in a recording studio.

Have a go

Make your own little tune.

Hum, clap or tap along.

Try it fast, then slowly.

What changes in your song?

Tell the story

Who helped her learn?

What did she practise?

Who could share music

with you today?

Zena sits cross-legged and thinks about a question, in a recording studio.

A little wonder

A recording keeps a sound.

It can be played again.

With a grown-up, record

one clap. Then listen!

FOR GROWN-UPS

A real life, a first little story

Whitney Houston lived from 1963 to 2012. She was born in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States.
She learned from her musical family, including her mother, singer Cissy Houston, and performed in the youth choir at New Hope Baptist Church.
Her first album was released in 1985. She became an internationally successful recording artist and performer.
These verses are original. They do not use song lyrics. The imaginary record sleeve and stage costumes do not copy real albums or branded merchandise. Zena's rest scene introduces caring for your voice; it is not a documented episode from Whitney's life.

This book simplifies a longer life. Zena’s play, friends and props illustrate ideas; they do not reconstruct particular childhood events.

Read slowly. Leave time for questions. Adapt the activities to your child.

Keep discovering

Original text and illustrations for ZenBloomBooks.

Choose another adventure

Written by Zen Bloom
Art direction by Rowan Vale