Born in 1906 in the segregated East St Louis, Josephine Baker knew she wanted to be a dancer from a very young age.
She wanted to be a star with her name in lights and adoring fans wherever she went. However, her reality as a child was miles away from any opportunity of achieving the success she craved.
With sheer determination she auditioned for every show and circus in town. Years went by and she thought her dream would never come true but eventually she got her first stage role, and the rest, as they say, is history… or is it?
Josephine Baker moved to France during her heyday, with sell-out shows, a constant flow of flowers and gifts from admirers that soon became her norm. When the war started, she took on another role and used her connections to help the French Resistance. The Nazis brought facism, even more racism and fear to her adopted country so she did what she could to fight their evil regimes. Fast forward the years and she joins the civil rights movement of the 60s in the US to once again fight for justice and equality..
Catherine Johnson has brought the story of Josephine Baker to life in this factual novel of the highs and lows of her career, her determination to be on stage and the iconic legacy she leaves behind.
It’s published in a reader-friendly format by Barrington Stoke with beautiful illustrations by Katie Hickey
Writer: @catherinerebeccajohnson
Illustrator: @katiehickleyillustration and design team @harpercollins
Publisher: @barringtonstoke
Bluesky
Writer: @catwrote.bsky.social
Illustrator: #KatieHickey
Publisher: @barringtonestoke.bsky.social
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