On January 27 is Multicultural Children’s Book Day: Celebrating Diversity in Children's Literature. Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie Budayr from Jump into a Book have organized this event to raise awareness for children's books that celebrate diversity and to get those books into more classrooms and libraries so more little eyes can see them. Proudly sponsored by Lee & Low Books, Wisdom Tales Press, Chronicle Books, and author Susan Fayad.
I was lucky enough to be sent Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker, written by Patricia Hruby Powell and illustrated by Christian Robinson, from Chronicle Books to review.
My daughter, at 4, is still too young to appreciate this book, so let me tell you what I thought of it. I'd never heard of this character, Josephine Baker, but I'm glad I have now. An amazingly brave, talented, and charismatic woman, her story is told in this book through delightful verse and eye-catching illustrations. How she grew up her poor, how she witnessed the violence against people who happened to have darker-colored skin, how she yearned for a place where she could live and perform on stage, where skin color wouldn't matter. The irony as she found that place in Paris, but still white people would tan their skin to make it look darker and Josephine herself tried to lighten her skin using lemons. She later joined the war effort for France, the country who had given her so much, helping the Red Cross, assisting with charitable efforts and working as a spy. After marrying she lived in a palatial estate and adopted children of all races from different countries, 12 kids she called her Rainbow Tribe. "We'll show the world that racial hatred is unnatural" she declared. She eventually lost her fortune and returned to Paris to get back on stage, giving one more spectacular show before she died the same night in her sleep.
My daughter, at 4, is still too young to appreciate this book, so let me tell you what I thought of it. I'd never heard of this character, Josephine Baker, but I'm glad I have now. An amazingly brave, talented, and charismatic woman, her story is told in this book through delightful verse and eye-catching illustrations. How she grew up her poor, how she witnessed the violence against people who happened to have darker-colored skin, how she yearned for a place where she could live and perform on stage, where skin color wouldn't matter. The irony as she found that place in Paris, but still white people would tan their skin to make it look darker and Josephine herself tried to lighten her skin using lemons. She later joined the war effort for France, the country who had given her so much, helping the Red Cross, assisting with charitable efforts and working as a spy. After marrying she lived in a palatial estate and adopted children of all races from different countries, 12 kids she called her Rainbow Tribe. "We'll show the world that racial hatred is unnatural" she declared. She eventually lost her fortune and returned to Paris to get back on stage, giving one more spectacular show before she died the same night in her sleep.
While I'm tempted to keep this wonderful story for Kay for when she's older...no, this book needs to be where more people can see it, and in the spirit of Multicultural Children's Book Day, it will find a new home in our local library.
This book is recommended for children aged 7 - 10 and suggested especially to be shared during African-American History Month in February or National Poetry Month in April. I disagree on both counts. This book is a treat for ages 7 and up, adults included, and will be enjoyed no matter what the month. I had tears in my eyes at the end. This is a powerful story and one of my new favorites! Thank you Chronicle Books for the opportunity to learn about it!
This book is recommended for children aged 7 - 10 and suggested especially to be shared during African-American History Month in February or National Poetry Month in April. I disagree on both counts. This book is a treat for ages 7 and up, adults included, and will be enjoyed no matter what the month. I had tears in my eyes at the end. This is a powerful story and one of my new favorites! Thank you Chronicle Books for the opportunity to learn about it!
For more information about Multicultural Children's Day, including how you can get involved, please visit the main page at Jumping Into A Book. Thanks!