Ragtime Tumpie

By Alan Schroeder

Book Overview

One of the most colorful periods in American history is vividly brought to life in this stirring account of Josephine Baker's childhood. Tumpie, inspired by the vivacious ragtime music of turn-of-the-century St. Louis, dreams of escaping her life on Gratiot Street and becoming a famous honky-tonk dancer. Her determination, pluck, and exuberance will have children clapping, tapping, and rooting for her from the beginning.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316775045
• ISBN13: 9780316775045
• Release Date: April 1993
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.1" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book - But La Baker was NEVER a Jazz Singer

I have always been puzzeled as to why Josephine Baker has always been catagorized as a Jazz Singer (or even a movie star), particularly in the USA. Never once out of the some 230 songs she recorded and the many shows she put on, did she record or perform Jazz. Josephine Baker was a cabaret entertainer, in the best sense of the word. She was a child of the Jazz age yes, but she was an entertainer of the old Parisian Folies Bergere, and one needs only sample any of her recordings, particularly of her later years (when she was at the hieght of her vocal and artistic powers), or, if you are lucky, see a film of her performing live to see that she was the PINNACLE of a cabaret act, the greatest of them all!

A look into the ragtime era

I read this book because I was helping my daughter do a book report for Black History Month. It was such a descriptive book. It really gave me a look into the life of this little girl that was so full of life and love for music and dancing. What a joy to read!

When I first read this book I felt like dancing myself!

That one-line summary is what my 7-year-old son said about this book, in addition to "I love Ragtime Tumpie!" I agree with him. This is a beautiful and inspiring book about Josephine Baker, the great jazz entertainer/dancer. The illustrations are radiant and evoke a sense of excitement, heat, and music. The story is emotionally engaging, and like my son says, makes you want to dance and jubilate along with Tumpie! This is a top-notch picture book!