Josephine - (Illustrated Biographies by Chronicle Books) by Patricia Hruby Powell (Hardcover)

About the Book

A portrait of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.

Book Synopsis

Coretta Scott King Book Award, Illustrator, Honor
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award, Honor
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Nonfiction Honor
Parent's Choice Award
Wall Street Journal's 10 Best Children's Books of the Year List
Bologna Ragazzi Nonfiction Honor 2014

In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.

Review Quotes

'This is a unique picture book biography, presenting Baker's life in poetic text that hums with rhythm."--Great Books for Kids

"A picture book that simply will not quit."-Wall Street Journal

"A spectacular collaboration, a spotlight on an unforgettable lady."--Design of the Picture Book

"A triumph of a strong, determined African-American woman over prejudice and parochialism. And it makes for a gripping tale."--The Denver Post

"An engaging read aloud with many possibilities for discussion, follow up research and writing.but it doesn't have to be an educational lesson either.it's just a fun read."--Cindy Dobrez, Bookends, a Booklist Blog

"An extraordinary dancer and woman is here celebrated with style and empathy."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"An extraordinary tribute to an American legend."--Bookpage

"As complex, vibrant, and endearing as Josephine Baker herself."--Cool Mom Picks

"Author Patricia Hruby Powell casts Josephine Baker's story as a triumph of a strong, determined African-American woman over prejudice and parochialism. And it makes for a gripping tale."--The Denver Post

"Baker's entire life spreads out in this tapestry of words."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"C'est magnifique!" -- The Horn Book, starred review

"Captivating. a fun, enriching, and holistic reading experience."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Entertaining and informative... sure to capture the imagination."--KidsReads

"Factual and yet poetic. defies convention as boldly as its subject did."- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Honors the colorful exuberance of both the Jazz era and Baker's life."--Booklist

"I opened this picture book and was completely amazed."--ReaderTotz

"If your child's gotta sing and gotta dance, then she's gotta read this book, too."--Houston Style Magazine

"It's also, thus far, one of my very favorite picture books of all of 2014." --BookPage

"Josephine dances through these pages with such exuberance, she brings light to each dark corner. A beautiful book."-- Helen Frost, author of the Printz Honor-winning Keesha's House

"Lovely."--Library Media Connection

"One of the most superb books you'll see all year. Excellent writing and dynamic illustrations that fit together like puzzle pieces."--Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

"Powell and Robinson create a biography of a woman whose life and art are inseparable."--Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review

"Scrupulously researched, high-spirited celebration of the color-line-crossing dancer."--Los Angeles Times

"Some books strike you as more than a book. The words and artwork refuse to stay on the page. They lift up and dance on your tongue, fill your ears with music, and send motion pictures before your eyes - swooping you away to another time and place like magic. So it is with JOSEPHINE ."--Elizebeth Dulemba

"This liberally illustrated biography of Josephine Baker captures a remarkable, courageous woman whose life and art were inseparable."--Shelf Awareness

"Truly amazing."--Richie Partington, Richie's Picks

"What an excellent book this is."--Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

"Wowed me. "--Roundtable Reviews

"Your kids will be dancing around in banana skirts after reading this one."--NPR Best Books of The Year

A Junior Library Guild Selection

The Wall Street Journal Best Books of the Year

About the Author

Patricia Hruby Powell danced throughout the Americas and Europe with her dance company, One Plus One, before becoming a writer of children's books. She lives in Champaign, Illinois.

Christian Robinson, formerly at Pixar Studios and Sesame Street Workshop, lives in San Francisco.