The Life of a Children's Troubadour

The Life Of A Children's Troubadour is Raffi's autobiography in which he shares the story of his life, from his childhood in Cairo Egypt, to his adjustment to life in Toronto as a youth, to his professional success as a musician throughout North America. Raffi reveals the details of his remarkable career, from modest beginnings as a folksinger in coffee houses to sold-out children's concerts at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway. Raffi shares his heartfelt beliefs, his love and admiration for children, and his dedication to making the world a better place for kids. The Life Of A Children's Troubadour is a "must" for anyone who has enjoyed and appreciated Raffi's very special music and his influence on a generation of children, parents and teachers.

Through his music, Raffi has been in our family ever since our eldest son, now 24, was a toddler. What attracted us, apart from the consistently high musical quality, was the directness and warmth of Raffi's approach, the intelligence, the lack of condescension, and his obvious respect for children and childhood--and for all of humanity, and for all of life. These same values inform his book.Much more than a showbusiness autobiography, The Life of a Children's Troubadour is about a personal odyssey. It begins with a pained and troubled childhood and describes Raffi's growth into an internationally renowned entertainer, a passionate advocate for children, for the natural environment, and for peace. It has not been an easy journey, and Raffi describes the obstacles and detours along the way with honesty and with an insight that was clearly gained at great emotional cost. For me the least riveting parts of the book were the depictions of showbusiness events--recording sessions, details of the workings of the entertainment world, etc., although I don't doubt that many will find such information of interest. These , however, do not dominate the book. Raffi's inner and outer journeys do, with all their perils and rewards. As one would expect from a gifted lyricist, the writing is elegant, often moving. Only here and there would one have wished for a firmer editorial hand. This book would delight anyone who has been ever moved by Raffi's music--or whose children have.

A sincerely recommend Raffi's brave and honest message for all who work with and care about children. Readers will discover Raffi's interesting autobiographical blueprint for the development of Self, that which Raffi calls a "humbling paradox." But, readers will also come to appreciate even more this creator, entertainer, environmental activist, and child advocate whose music will forever hug the hearts of children across the world. Raffi's inner tale can help us all understand that spirit in all of us that seeks to find identity, that which gives rise to the struggle through which we discover our purpose. And, Raffi's outer tale can help us to understand how experiences with people, nature, the arts, books and places direct our lives, as well as the lives of others. His words spiral from the esoteric realms of philosophy and psychology to the concrete grounding of everyday life. The Life of a Children's Troubadour is truly a celebration of the human spirit.

The most popular living children's entertainer takes us behind scenes into his own agony and joy in growing up. Particularly notable is the deepening of his involvement in the plight of the world, the honesty of an impressive attempt to puzzle out the meaning of it all, and the moral arousal behind his efforts to sensitize children and their parents to the causes of tolerance and the rescue of our environment.

In his autobiography, Raffi reveals the child who grew up to become the well-known children's troubadour. We get to know a little boy seeking to understnand the world as it is, as well as the man who finds joy and purpose in working to create a better future for all the world's children. We get to know where he came from, an Armenian family living in exile in Egypt. We read of his adolescent years in Canada, his creative search as a folk singer, and then his breakthough into the world of children's songs. We learn of his disappointments and successes, his personal life, and his increasing involvement in the important social movements of our time, most notably the global environmental movement. We find that his work and life are all of one piece, that Raffi's songs, like those of the troubadours of old, come out of love, and so also now does his woderful autobiography.