Baby Flo

Florence Mills Lights Up the Stage
By Alan Schroeder, Cornelius Van Wright, Ying-Hwa Hu
Paperback: $11.95

This spirited biography introduces young readers to the early life of Florence “Baby Flo” Mills, an internationally renowned entertainer of the Harlem Renaissance era who began her career as a child.

Description

Straight up: Florence was a remarkable child, and that’s a fact.

Pint-sized dynamo “Baby Florence” Mills sang and danced just about as soon as she could talk and walk. She warbled a tune while her mama did laundry. She strutted through the streets of Washington, D.C. with a high-steppin’ cakewalk. Flo’s mama and daddy knew they had a budding entertainer in the family, so they entered Florence in a talent contest.

Baby Flo went on to become an international superstar during the Harlem Renaissance — but first she had to overcome a case of stage fright and discover that winning wasn’t everything. Here is the spirited story of that spunky young girl learning to chase her dreams with confidence. A sensation in her time, Baby Flo is back, dancing and singing her way into hearts and history.

About the Creators

Alan Schroeder

Alan Schroeder is the author of several acclaimed picture books that capture the early lives of notable African Americans. His work has appeared on ALA Notable booklists and has been honored among TIME magazine’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. Schroeder lives in Alameda, California.

Cornelius Van Wright

Cornelius Van Wright and his wife Ying-Hwa Hu have illustrated dozens of award-winning books. Their illustrations have been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “bright, detailed and dynamic, vividly depicting . . . characters’ facial features and personalities.” Van Wright, a native New Yorker, lives in New York City.

Ying-Hwa Hu headshot: She has short, straight, gray hair and wears glasses, pink lipstick, and a green and pink patterned shirt.
Ying-Hwa Hu

Ying-Hwa Hu and her husband Cornelius Van Wright have illustrated dozens of award-winning books. Their illustrations have been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “bright, detailed and dynamic, vividly depicting . . . characters’ facial features and personalities.” Hu, who was born in Taiwan, lives in New York City.

Awards

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

Reviews

  • "A stirring picture-book biography."

    - Booklist

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781643790862
  • Publication Date Mar 01, 2012
  • Trim Size 10.75 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781600604102
  • Publication Date Mar 01, 2012
  • Trim Size 10.75 × 8.75 in
  • Weight 0.875 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Word Count 3014
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Biographical / United States
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / People & Places / United States / African American
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Performing Arts / Music
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Biography / Memoir, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Dreams & Aspirations, History & Civics, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Music, Nonfiction, Occupations, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Poverty, Realistic Fiction, United States History
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 11
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 6
  • Guided Reading P
  • ATOS Book Level 4.5
  • DRA 38
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 6
  • Lexile Level 640
  • Reading Level 3
  • SRC 3.7
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    • 93
      Nonfiction Grades 3-6
      Collection of 93 books: $1,228.35