Pictures for Miss Josie

by Sandra Belton, Benny Andrews (Illustrator)

This remarkable picture book tells the story of Josephine Carroll Smith (Miss Josie) and a young artist who, like many in real life, became one of her almost-sons. It's a story that starts with a train trip to a faraway city; it's a story about taking chances, and making friends, and believing in oneself. Throughout her life Miss Josie was like a giant standing in front of the sun. her achievements on the national stage were notable -- she was responsible for outlining the boundaries for the integration of the Washington, D.C., public schools. But it is her spirit and influence on a personal scale that this book celebrates. Miss Josie reminded the generations of young black men who walked through her door and stayed in her home to believe in themselves and all they could become. They did. Illustrated with compelling collage paintings by fine artist Benny Andrews, Sandra Belton's intimate and inspirational story pays tribute to the much-loved Miss Josie.

Genres: Picture Books, African American

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

from Contemporary Authors Online: Sandra Belton has published a number of well-received picture books for children in addition to novels for young adults that include the award-winning McKendree. She is perhaps best known for her "Ernestine and Amanda" series about two African-American girls growing up in the 1950s. In an interview with Janice DelNegro for the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books online, Belton noted that the series is enriched by her own experiences as a youngster in small-town West Virginia. "Ernestine and Amanda are the keepers of my childhood memories and dreams," the author remarked. "Their voices echo the ones I heard while chasing lightning bugs and playing at twilight with the kids down the street. The homes they live in and the schools and churches they attend paint a picture of the neighborhoods that nurtured all of us. The events of their lives and the heroes they celebrate are the ones of our heritage."

Reviews

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this books shows that people who once scare us can become great friends and helpmeets to us.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Miss Josie", is the late Josephine Carroll Smith, who was dedicated her life to helping childre, especially young black men, to become educated. This story is about the son of a black man who Miss Josie boarded. The boy first meets Miss Josie as a young child. The boy describes her as "giant, standing there in front of the sun." Miss Josie encourages the boy from a young age to his college years to pursue his dream of becoming an artist.

What I find nice about this picture book is that Belton is able to create a meaningful story that honors Miss Josie using just a few words.

Grades 1-2.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures for Miss Josie is based on a true story of a woman named Josephine Carroll Smith who welcomed poor students into her homes and saw them as sons. The book shows how one of those "sons" kept her in the family and introduced her to his son. The book shows how that son grew up and Ms. Josie was a part of his life. She supported him and was also a part of his success. He then had a child, and continued to keep Ms. Josie as an important family member by introducing her to his son. I feel this book teaches the importance of loving people in your life and how much of an impact each person can have.

[Emily Peer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touching book would be great for a read aloud in grade levels 2-4. This book is all about generations of family and how much of an impact certain people in our lives can have on us. This book was easy to read but was quite long. The sentence level was complex and the book was filled with rich vocabulary. This would be a great book to read to students when they are in grades 2-4 then to bring back to their lives in late high school. This book highlights the treasure of growing old and accomplishing goals. This special book was a great read.

[Nativida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrated by Benny Andrews.