Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker

A lovely illustrated biography of the remarkable Josephine Baker, written in free verse, with a style that reflects Josephine's own exuberance, determination and zest for EVERYTHING. I think young readers would be well served to have seen some of Josephine's dancing before reading this book, but I also feel there are bits where it is almost impossible not to want to moooove along with the prose, even if you aren't a dancer yourself. I particularly loved the mental picture of Josephine flowing down over the back of her very large dance partner, like "black lava"... This book is a work of art in words and images, and it covers some tough subjects which ought to lead to thoughtful discussions between young readers and their grown-ups.

Christian Robinson's illustrations present Josephine's volcanic energy - sometimes silly, sometimes serious - through her journey from childhood in Saint Louis, working in vaudeville in the South, making her way north, and finally performing in Paris. She works as a dresser and snags every opportunity to be on stage, until she becomes the star. She marries and divorces, encounters racism and welcome, adopts children of many backgrounds (her "rainbow tribe"), goes broke and dances again.

The text is like a prose poem, with short lines, indents, and frequent capitals for emphasis - easy to read, with a lot of expression and Josephine's own exuberance.

What a charming illustrated life of the legendary Josephine Baker this is! Starting with her years growing up in poverty in St. Louis, this book moves on to her years in New Orleans, years as part of a dance troupe, her career on Broadway, and her debut in France. It discusses her love of the French people for accepting her as a black person and mentions her espionage activities, including her hospitalization in Casablanca during World War II. I loved that she owned a leopard! (Here kitty, kitty!) It goes on to discuss her adoption of twelve "rainbow" children and how overspending caused her to lose some of her most cherished possessions and rely upon the generosity of others. It describes her small comeback at the end of her life. It's show more a great introduction to Josephine for young readers. show less

If only LibraryThing had a large, sparkling neon lit font for "Josephine Baker!" This is a true woman from history everyone should know. Josephine danced her way out of poverty and terrible racial discrimination in the United States eventually moving to Paris and becoming a world class performer. Even after witnessing the violence to black Americans as a young girl, she never stopped believing all people could live together peacefully and tirelessly fought for it. She lived what she preached eventually adopting twelve children from all over the world---her rainbow tribe---and all types of religions.
She is famous for many things including dancing in a banana skirt and walking her pet leopard down the Champs-Elysees.
Christian Robinson show more used real photographs to inspire his acrylic and collage illustrations and Patricia Hruby Powell's text is just as artistic written in poetry form. Both author and illustrator carefully researched her life and using the highest literary and artistic craft brought her story into the world for not only our reading pleasure but also to inspire and "dazzle" us. show less

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"

Josephine is the tragic retelling of the life of a black dancer who became rich, successful, and influential, but in the end died with financial struggles, leaving her 12 adopted children behind. This book, written in poetry form, describes the struggle of growing up poor and black during segregation. Josephine finds success in France where desegregation had already occurred. Using her connections as a star, Josephine works as a spy during WWII and encourages American citizens to desegregate in hiring and Jim Crow laws. This book while sharing Josephine’s positive influence and zest for life still leaves one sad that despite all her success, she does not have a happy ending.

Does it fit in 2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge Prompt #34: A book about a social justice issue ?
I put it in "set in multiple countries" prompt.

For a children's book, this captivated my heart. With few words, it sure hit me right in the heart. Had I read this in my childhood, I may forget its impact in my perspective about talent and race.
Beautifully written. Very inspiring. Charismatic main character with a fierce fighting spirit.
Will definitely recommend to (my future) kids.