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A review by maejorlybookish
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell
5.0
This book did, for me, exactly what I want a (children's) biography to do: make me want more information! I thought this was a great starting point, especially for younger readers, or for those with very little knowledge about the subject (this includes me; I knew nothing about Josephine Baker before picking this up). Lyrical writing, quick to read (but still informative and fun; you are not simply skimming and missing that good information), loooovely illustrations. I am enamored by Christian Robinson lately. Such great art. I took the time to look up some of the posters and publicity photos of Josephine, and was delighted when I compared them to Robinson's illustrations. This book is well-researched and it shows.
I was both delighted for Josephine's success and saddened by her circumstances, and the means which she took to rise to the top. I would've liked to know more about her Rainbow Tribe, but, with the rest of the more interesting facts about her life, it's more of a headline, and not much else. We learn the children's names, and that she raised them in their native religions, and that's basically it. Her desire to provide lavish gifts for them, and then throwing herself into poverty, kind of broke my heart.
Aghhhhh. I just loved this little taste of her life. I would definitely pick up a lengthier biography on Josephine Baker in the future.
The only thing that was jarring to me was the inclusion of the word "rape," which may lead to an interesting discussion with the child reading. It gave me momentary pause, because I wondered how I would explain what rape is to a young child reading this book. The narrative leaves everything very open for discussion, so this could be a good opportunity to talk about some of the harsher realities of prejudice, fear, slavery, and hatred in America, in whatever way you are comfortable doing. I appreciate that this biography didn't dance around this, as it's pretty uncommon in my reading experience with children's books.
I was both delighted for Josephine's success and saddened by her circumstances, and the means which she took to rise to the top. I would've liked to know more about her Rainbow Tribe, but, with the rest of the more interesting facts about her life, it's more of a headline, and not much else. We learn the children's names, and that she raised them in their native religions, and that's basically it. Her desire to provide lavish gifts for them, and then throwing herself into poverty, kind of broke my heart.
Aghhhhh. I just loved this little taste of her life. I would definitely pick up a lengthier biography on Josephine Baker in the future.
The only thing that was jarring to me was the inclusion of the word "rape," which may lead to an interesting discussion with the child reading. It gave me momentary pause, because I wondered how I would explain what rape is to a young child reading this book. The narrative leaves everything very open for discussion, so this could be a good opportunity to talk about some of the harsher realities of prejudice, fear, slavery, and hatred in America, in whatever way you are comfortable doing. I appreciate that this biography didn't dance around this, as it's pretty uncommon in my reading experience with children's books.