Josephine Baker cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Lower Grades (LG K-3)
Book Level 4.4
Points 0.5
Fiction/Nonfiction Nonfiction
Word Count 695
Points per Word 0.000719
Page Count 34
Points per Page 0.014706

Description

This is the story of Josephine Baker, the world-famous entertainer, activist and French Resistance agent.

Quick Summary

Josephine Baker tells the story of the legendary performer who danced her way from a poor St. Louis neighborhood to the glittering stages of Paris, showing kids that a big dream and a lot of heart can take you anywhere. The simple text, paired with colorful illustrations, makes the ideas of courage, standing up against racism, and using your art to fight injustice feel accessible for early readers. It's a great pick for kids who love stories about people who dared to be different, especially those who enjoy picture-book biographies like the "Little People, Big Dreams" series or books about other trailblazing artists. Parents will appreciate that the book touches on real historical moments like Josephine's work for the French Resistance without overwhelming young readers with scary details, while still giving them a sense of the bravery involved. Even though the story is short, kids will see Josephine rehearsing her famous banana dance, adopting a family of children from around the world, and using her fame to support causes she believed in, all in an upbeat and inspiring way.