Cover Image: Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker

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Member Reviews

Josephine Baker stopped at nothing in her quest for true self expression and equal rights for all people. She was brave and unashamed to be who she truly was. For these reasons, she was an incredible role model for young women and her story deserves to be heard. These books are an asset to any child's library as they celebrate strong women who changed their worlds.

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I’d never heard of Josephine Baker, but thanks to this beautiful book, I have a clear understanding of her upbringing, the social issues faced at the time and her incredible achievements during her life.
As always, it’s complimented by stunning pictures, a biography and a list of further reading.

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As you might expect from the title, this is a small bio on the famous dancer, whom I’ve heard described as the Beyoncé of her time. That made me laugh, but I suppose it has its point. The line “legs made for dancing, dazzling smile, free spirit: the ingredients that made her a star” encapsulates this perfectly.
Interesting point made that in France people of all races intermingled without a problem, though I find that farfetched. Still, it had to be better than in the States at that time, so I won’t belabor the point.
The artwork is simplistic, and some of the poses look impossible, but it’s more than good enough for the target audience.
This is the third of this interesting series about great women I’ve read, and I can unequivocally say I’ve learned probably as much about some of these special people as the kids that’ll read this.

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Josephine Baker was an amazing woman!!! Not only was she a fabulous performer, Josephine was a spy during WWII, she was influential in the civil rights movement and an advocate for adoption and racial integration.


I adore this book series. Every child should have all of these books to look up to heroes and heroines in all shapes, colors, and sizes.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I am becoming a huge fan of the "Little People, Big Dreams" series. There are so many great people, but many biographies go unread. This series peaks the interest of young readers with basic, simple facts about the person with the hope that they will do further investigation on their own.

In this book we learn a lot of facts about Josephine Baker and the times that she lived. There was a lot I learned as I read this book, so even though it is geared at children by keeping the information short and to the point, any age could read this book. It discusses important issues such as segregation and World War II. It included information from her life and did not just focus on her dancing abilities. It included information about her being a spy, adopting children, having a variety of pets and marching for civil rights. At the back of the book you will find actual photos and other biographical information as well. It also gave resources that the reader could use to find out more. A great addition to a school or public library. The pubisher, Lincoln Children's Books, provided me with a copy of this book to read, the opinions are my own.

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This was my first introduction to the Little People, Big Dreams and it was perfect!

This would suit any young person who is interested in what people have achieved in the past and what that has done for people since then.

Josephine Baker had such an interest life that I would not have known about if it wasn't for this book. It is short and sweet but does not shy away from what barriers and racism she had to overcome to fulfil her dream. The illustrations are beautiful and really add to the telling of Josephine's life.

I would highly recommend this book and I'm sure to pick up other books in this series in the future!

*ARC received from publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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A gorgeous look at one of the world's most intriguing figures. A must read for any fan of the series of Little People ,Big Dreams.

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I absolutely adore this series! It’s a great way for kids to learn about amazing people who did amazing things. Josephine Baker was an incredible woman and her story is so interesting. The art was super cute and I love how there are different art styles within the series itself.

If I had kids, I would definitely read the entire series to them. The books are educational but also very entertaining and interesting. I 100% recommend this book and the entire series.

*I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This is the first book I've read in the Little People Big Dreams series and I'll certainly be picking up more. Josephine Baker was a figure I knew very little, if anything about before opening this book and now I'm keen to learn more.

I loved the accessible story of her life with bright pictures which would make it engaging and exciting for young children. The language used was appropriate for all ages and provided a brief introduction to her life story and as an adult left me wanting to learn more. I think it's great that the back of the book gave suggestions for books to go and do just that.

The more 'grown up' summary of her life at the end of the bright story is a great addition. With photographs and more concise facts, an adult could pick this up and be able to add to the story when reading with children creating more of a conversation during reading time.

As a teacher, I can see this book being used in classrooms to teach history, geography and English, particularly in Key Stage 2, providing a starting point for further research.

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Another excellent book from this series. This brief book serves an excellent introduction to the life of the fabulous Josephine Baker.

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Nonfiction for students with illustrations. Clear and easy to follow along for younger readers. Illustrations are engaging and allow kids into the past. These can be used for a variety of needs in a classroom or at home.

downloaded thru Netgalley honest review, etc.

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This picture book by Isabel Sánchez Vegara and Agathe Sorlet introduces children to the life of dancer and civil rights activist, Josephine Baker. In simple text, accompanied with bright, colourful illustrations, which complement the story well, it talks about her life under segregation in St Louis in the early 20th century, and how she climbed out of poverty through her talent as a dancer. It covers how she travelled to Paris and later became involved in the French Resistance during World War II and later the civil rights movement back in the USA. It also mentions her many pets, including a pet cheetah, which will probably help pique the interest of animal loving young readers.

Josephine Baker is the latest volume in the Little People Big Dreams series of books aimed at introducing children to inspirational figures from around the world whom they may not have heard of. This book could be a good starting point for talking to children about civil rights in general, the French Resistance, or more about the life of Josephine Baker.

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I reviewed this book for Lincoln Children’s Books. It’s part of the Little People, Big Dreams series and tells about the life of Josephine Baker. She was a famous dancer from St. Louis, but was also involved in the French resistance and fought for civil rights in the US. She was an incredibly strong woman with a lot of grit!

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With colorful illustrations and brief but enticing text, this biography introduces readers to the life the ambitious Josephine Baker. A dancer, a theater and movie performer, a singer, and a spy during World War II. Her life was influenced by racial discrimination and war, yet she was amazingly successful. However, she had to leave the US for Europe in order to make her way. In a short book the author manages to introduce important social and historical understandings.

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One of the things I always love and admire about children books featuring biographies of famous people is the ways in which important life stories are convened through easy yet meaningful words. The illustrations are always playing an important part though. This children book about Josephine Baker features admirably not only the character that the singer and first black woman to ever star in a film was, but also the complicated social and political environments she was part of, from the WWII to the struggle for civil rights in the USA. The collage-like illustrations are easy and suited to the jazzy times.

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I absolutely love the 'Little people, Big dreams' books and I'm delighted that they are publishing more and more of them. Josephine Baker's story is a lovely one which has been told well with beautiful illustrations. I didn't know anything about Josephine Baker prior to reading it but it is clear why Little people, Big dreams have produced a book about her - what an inspiration. I think having the short biography at the back is a great idea as it gives more information about her and would adults to further facilitate a conversation about Josephine Baker with a child who has read the book.

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Well written with fantastic information as well as beautiful illustrations. It is a beautiful learning too as well as the complete package when it comes to a book.

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What a beautifully written and stylistically illustrated biography of Josephine Baker! I previously had reviewed another book in the Little People, Big Dreams series, Harriet Tubman, and I love this one just as much! The story of Josephine Baker was new to me, and I think about the road she helped pave for ballerina Misty Copeland as a dancer, and yet she did so much more as an activist! I continue to look forward to reading others stories about women in history! Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #JosephineBaker by Isabel @sanchezvegara

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Josephine Baker is a new young reader book in the series Little People, Big Dreams . Written by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara and illustrated by Agathe Sorlet, it's due out 31st July from Quarto publishing Frances Lincoln imprint. Aimed at younger readers, it's 32 pages, perfect for a storytime or classroom circle read. It's available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The text is inset into full color page illustrations and each page illustrates the accompanying text. The art is whimsical and simple (see cover) and very appealing. I absolutely loved that it's factually based and realistic and doesn't shy away from the reasons for Ms. Baker's emigration from the US or her life and activities without devolving into stridency or preachiness. The story is followed by a short biography with pictures of her life with ideas for further reading.

This is a perfectly charming little book. I enjoyed it very much and appreciate that this series takes on serious subjects in an accessible and digestible format for young readers.

Five stars for the format, subject matter, honesty, and charming presentation.

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The illustrious Josephine Baker is perfectly described in this glorious bio with stunning illustrations. Baker overcame a childhood of deprivation and racial inequality to become a worldwide star on stage and screen. She also had a little-known career as a WWII Allied spy and opened her heart and home to 12 children from across the world. 5/5

Grateful to the Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children’s and NetGalley for the early copy, in exchange for my true review.

#JosephineBaker #NetGalley

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