JOSEPHINE BAKER is an Anti-Racist Read for Youngsters
Parents looking for anti-racist books for children ages 2-6 (or even younger, as Quarto Kids also offers a board book version of this title) may decide that Josephine Baker is just the thing. The story provides children with a powerful black role model, and explains that when Josephine was growing up, white people “made all the rules—and these rules were very different if your skin color was black.” Though it’s a simplified portrayal of racism, Josephine’s story could be the perfect way to begin introducing the topic to very young children.
Sorlet’s illustrations leave the white characters’ skin void of color, making them look like paper dolls next to the warm brown tone chosen for Josephine’s skin, and focusing our attention on the black characters. This writer found it especially refreshing that the problematic crayon shade often called skin color is entirely absent.
Readers of all ages will find something to enjoy—and something to learn—in Josephine Baker. Toddlers may keep turning back to the parade of animals; older children may laugh when they hear the moosh is a type of dance; adults may find themselves googling Baker to learn more about how she smuggled information in her music sheets during World War II. On top of all that, reading about a black icon and civil rights advocate can help kids understand the current movement for racial justice. Though Josephine Baker lived in the past, her story is very much of the present.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Nominate this for The Picture This Post BEST OF 2020???
Click Readers' Choice
Vote Securely! Vote Privately! And Make Your Vote Count-- as all voting should be!!
To purchase this title, visit the Quarto Kids webpage for JOSEPHINE BAKER.
For further reading, check out Quarto Kids list of Anti-Racist Books for Kids.
Images courtesy of Quarto Kids.
