The Women Who Caught the Babies - by Eloise Greenfield (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Filled with Greenfield's moving poems, complemented by Minter's dramatic portraits--dominated by rich shades of blue, of women and babies; a unique and moving tribute to the women who caught the babies and continue to do so today.

The Women Who Caught the Babies highlights important aspects of the training and work of African American midwives and the ways in which they have helped, and continue to help, so many families by "catching" their babies at birth. The blend of Eloise Greenfield's poetry and Daniel Minter's art evokes heartfelt appreciation of the abilities of African American midwifes over the course of time. The poem, "Africa to America," begins the poetic journey. The poem, "The Women," both heralds the poetry/art pairing and concludes it with a note of gratitude to these women. The poem that ends the book is "Miss Rovenia Mayo," who was the midwife who caught newborn Eloise.

Review Quotes

"This unique picture book begins with historic background on the work of midwives, written in prose that is accessible to young readers and accompanied by archival photographs. The book then switches to poetry and stunningly beautiful illustrations -- with vignettes from lives of midwives during slavery, emancipation, and today." --Rethinking Schools Magazine

"... the verses capture the powerful, loving, and unwavering work of these women, who guided humans into the world 'with gentle, loving hands.' The verses are accompanied by Minter's dramatic portraits ... of women and babies ... filled with symbolic patterns and images." --Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

"The Women Who Caught the Babies is a Masterpiece of Art and Writing! It deserves RESOUNDING Praise and Awards!" --Ashley Bryan, Artist and Author

"In this short book, poet and author, Eloise Greenfield, uses prose to explore the history of African American midwives in America. Other than the introduction, all of the book is told in unrhymed lines, bits and pieces of history interwoven with more intimate narratives. The poems are accompanied by the lovely artwork of Daniel Minter, a painter and illustrator with a long history of illustrious pieces. The art is filled with blues, yellows, and reds, and creates a cohesive theme that permeates the entire book." --Manhattan Book Review

"It's a moving set of poems, accompanied by Daniel Minter's dramatic portraits, dominated by rich shades of blue, of women and babies; it is art filled with symbolic patterns and images." --Julie Danielson, The Horn Book

"The blend of Eloise Greenfield's poetry and Daniel Minter's art evokes heartfelt appreciation of the abilities of African-American midwifes over the course of time. The book closes with a poem about the midwife Miss Rovenia Mayo who caught Eloise Greenfield herself on the evening of May 17, 1929. The amazing illustrations in the book are done by illustrator Daniel Minter who was also caught by a midwife during his birth." --Charnaie Gordon, Here We Read

"This moving nonfiction illustrated book, written in verse, illuminates the work and stories of African American midwives. It's empowering to understand their role in shaping generations, even as they were forced into slavery. A bibliography and photographs underscore Minter's powerful artwork." --Ryan Mita, Children's Book Council

"This poetic tale chronicles the presence and contributions of African American midwives. Rites of passage incandescently brought to light." --Vicky Smith, Kirkus Reviews


"While well-chosen archival photos accompany the book's introduction and final poem, Minter's full-page paintings beautifully illustrate most of the verse. Strong and graceful, the images feature deep, rich colors brightened with white netlike forms created with repeated motifs and vibrant images evocative of the natural world: the ocean, sea-foam, fishes, birds, branches, leaves, blossoms, fruits, and new life waiting to be born. A unique, moving tribute to the women who caught the babies and continue to do so today." --Carolyn Phelan, Booklist from ALA

About the Author

With many award-winning books to her credit, Eloise Greenfield has achieved her status among the most celebrated of children's authors. Multiple lifetime achievement awards include a Living Legacy Award, a Hope S. Dean Award, an NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children among others. She has been inducted into the National Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent. Africa Dream received the Coretta Scott King Award while the Coretta Scott King Author Honor and an ALA 2012 Notable Children's book honored her title, The Great Migration: Journey to the North. Daniel Minter is an artist whose paintings, carvings, block prints, and sculptures have been exhibited both nationally and internationally at galleries and museums, including the Seattle Art Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Bates College, Hammonds House Museum, Northwest African American Art Museum, Museu Jorge Amado and the Meridian International Center. Minter is the co-founder and creative visionary of the Portland Freedom Trail and serves on the board of The Ashley Bryan Center, The Illustration Institute.