Reviews
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Christian Robinson, Patricia Hruby Powell
zara2003's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
kiralovesreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
jennywithaz's review against another edition
5.0
An exhuberant, vibrant picture book biography illustrated in eye-popping bursts of color. The text provides an animated look at the many aspects of Josephine Baker's dynamic life - from her poverty-stricken childhood and dazzling career to her activism and war efforts - while the vibrant illustrations paint a lively picture of what was indeed an extraordinary life.
worldlibraries's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so grateful this book exists. Whenever publishers create a series of biographies, they tend to pick the same people over and over again: Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, etc.
This book celebrates a woman born with nothing who made something (no, not something, excellence) out of nothing in an unconventional, joyous way. The book has wonderful vocabulary for the reader, exuberant illustrations worthy of their subject, and it left me all teared up by the end.
If I could, I would request that new editions mention that the French "buried" her in the Pantheon (their highest honor) and 2) could the author leave out the part about how she bleached her skin (why encourage the practice?), and 3) also mention the ultimate, ultimate compliment that Coretta Scott King asked Josephine Baker to assume leadership of the Civil Rights Movement after the death of Martin Luther King. That fact alone broadcasts Ms. Baker's gravitas.
I LOVED this book and hope that a wider variety of people can be featured in published biographies. Thank you to the creators. This title was a Robert Seibert Honor Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book.
This book celebrates a woman born with nothing who made something (no, not something, excellence) out of nothing in an unconventional, joyous way. The book has wonderful vocabulary for the reader, exuberant illustrations worthy of their subject, and it left me all teared up by the end.
If I could, I would request that new editions mention that the French "buried" her in the Pantheon (their highest honor) and 2) could the author leave out the part about how she bleached her skin (why encourage the practice?), and 3) also mention the ultimate, ultimate compliment that Coretta Scott King asked Josephine Baker to assume leadership of the Civil Rights Movement after the death of Martin Luther King. That fact alone broadcasts Ms. Baker's gravitas.
I LOVED this book and hope that a wider variety of people can be featured in published biographies. Thank you to the creators. This title was a Robert Seibert Honor Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book.
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
What a life! Josephine Baker was more than a dance. I found it amazing that she used these talents to spy on Nazis! She adopted 12 kids--her rainbow tribe. She said "children of different races can grow up together as brothers." How I wish more people believed this statement to be true.
"Life is a series of summits and behind each crest looms another peak to be scaled"
"Life is a series of summits and behind each crest looms another peak to be scaled"
constant_reader's review against another edition
4.0
The name isn't familiar but she sounds incredible, like a force of nature. Now I need to watch the documentary and the movie.
moriahleigh's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
lalanier's review against another edition
3.0
The cover easily caught my attention (would love to have it as a print), and of course I don't need an excuse to read about Josephine Baker. I mainly went for this book to see if there were any new details I'd learn and the artwork. I loved the art style and think Christian Robinson did a fantastic job capturing her essence in his style. I will definitely look for other works he's illustrated.
As to the writing, I appreciate that Hruby Powell didn't shy away from the relevant and important topics concerning the time period of Baker's life, especially since it's being presented to children, and often times things can get sugarcoated. The writing style started off fun, but didn't always work as well for me when the content was a bit more serious, though I suppose word selection helped a little.
Overall a quick and enjoyable read and I'd really like to see the artwork in the physical book format.
As to the writing, I appreciate that Hruby Powell didn't shy away from the relevant and important topics concerning the time period of Baker's life, especially since it's being presented to children, and often times things can get sugarcoated. The writing style started off fun, but didn't always work as well for me when the content was a bit more serious, though I suppose word selection helped a little.
Overall a quick and enjoyable read and I'd really like to see the artwork in the physical book format.