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Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Christian Robinson, Patricia Hruby Powell
mollylovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War
carolpk's review against another edition
4.0
I love biographies like this that are written for young readers.
This is a good pick on many levels. Strong women, Segregation, Civil Rights and more are topics to ponder. Ms. Baker came from poor roots, picked herself up and danced to her own beat. I liked the way the book was laid out starting from her beginnings in 1906 to her final years.
Just one thing for you to know Josephine Baker married Jo Bouillon, her orchestra leader. They adopted twelve children from different countries, brought them up in in their own religions and called them her Rainbow Tribe.
The illustrations alone, artistically rendered by Christian Robinson, are worth picking up the book.
Well researched, Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker gave this adult a glimpse into the life of a spirited soul.
This is a good pick on many levels. Strong women, Segregation, Civil Rights and more are topics to ponder. Ms. Baker came from poor roots, picked herself up and danced to her own beat. I liked the way the book was laid out starting from her beginnings in 1906 to her final years.
Just one thing for you to know Josephine Baker married Jo Bouillon, her orchestra leader. They adopted twelve children from different countries, brought them up in in their own religions and called them her Rainbow Tribe.
The illustrations alone, artistically rendered by Christian Robinson, are worth picking up the book.
Well researched, Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker gave this adult a glimpse into the life of a spirited soul.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=6014
This is quite the book! When I ordered it, I hadn’t realized that it was illustrated chapter book biography, but after learning about Josephine, I can see why she couldn’t be confined to less pages. Her life is an explosion of adventure from running away at 13 to standing up for her civil rights to spying for France during WWII to adopting her “rainbow tribe.” Like Melba, Josephine was a new name for me, but I cannot believe I hadn’t heard of her before. She is the epitome of strength and was a large part of the civil rights movement. I am so glad that I read this picture book that truly captures her spirit through the rhythmic prose and colorful, lively illustrations.
This is quite the book! When I ordered it, I hadn’t realized that it was illustrated chapter book biography, but after learning about Josephine, I can see why she couldn’t be confined to less pages. Her life is an explosion of adventure from running away at 13 to standing up for her civil rights to spying for France during WWII to adopting her “rainbow tribe.” Like Melba, Josephine was a new name for me, but I cannot believe I hadn’t heard of her before. She is the epitome of strength and was a large part of the civil rights movement. I am so glad that I read this picture book that truly captures her spirit through the rhythmic prose and colorful, lively illustrations.
ipomoea's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeously illustrated, but I would want a supplementary book for kids who were super interested, something with more photographs. The story is told without shying away from the racism that was endemic to America in that time, which I think is important. It also didn't shy away from the fact that Josephine's flamboyance and generosity were her undoing. After reading this, I will be looking up more information on her.
bgprincipessa's review against another edition
5.0
Um, wow! Off to do some more research on Josephine Baker, for sure...
lstringer04's review against another edition
4.0
Josephine Baker is a badass. It's a longer book, and I wasn't a huge fan of the art style, but the story telling was killer.
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a very interesting biography on a very interesting individual! I really enjoyed the story of Josephine and especially how this book was arranged into sections of her life- I thought it worked very well. Patricia Hruby Powell also did not stray away from the harder topics- racism especially- which is very refreshing to see in a children's book. I loved the art work, it was simply stunning. My only issue was that the book is written in a very poetic and lyrical way which just wasn't my cup of tea. I can see why this style of writing was chosen and I respect it but it never really clicked with the way I read. Overall very well done and fun book.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing biography for middle grade - picture book style, text in semi-verse. Coretta Scott King Honor. Will use as read aloud for 5th grade and as mentor text for non-fiction picture book discussions.