Ann Ingalls discusses her new children's book The Little Piano Girl, a biography of Mary Lou Williams, one of the most accomplished women in jazz, on Friday, January 29, at 7 p.m. in the Art Spot at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.

Williams—who later wrote and arranged music for Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie—grew up loving music. She had just learned to play the piano when her family moved from Atlanta to Pittsburgh and she had to leave her piano behind. A young black girl, Williams did not immediately fit in and many Pittsburgh residents actively disliked her because of the way she looked.

Williams found solace in music. She had her first public performance at the age of six and became a professional musician in her teens. By age seven she had become known in Pittsburgh as "the little piano girl of East Liberty."

Ingalls co-authored The Little Piano Girl with her sister Maryann Macdonald.

Copies of The Little Piano Girl will be available for sale, and Ingalls will sign copies purchased during the event.

This event will be held in Plaza's Art Spot. Children will enjoy music and lots of hands-on activities and games. Ingalls will also be reading selections from her book.