Dr. Jo: How Sara Josephine Baker Saved the Lives of America's Children

Monica Kulling

Oct 2018 · Sold by Tundra Books

About this ebook

This thoughtful and beautifully illustrated picture book shares the story of a trailblazer who has inspired generations of girls to change the world.

Sara Josephine Baker was a strong girl who loved adventure. Growing up in New York in the late 1800s was not easy. When she lost her brother and father to typhoid fever, she became determined to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. In Jo's day, medical schools were closed to women, but times were changing, and Jo was at the forefront.

When she graduated in 1898, Dr. Jo still faced prejudice against women in her field. Not many people were willing to be seen by a female doctor, and Dr. Jo's waiting room remained mostly empty. She accepted a job in public health and was sent to Hell's Kitchen, one of New York's poorest neighborhoods where many immigrants lived. There, she was able to treat the most vulnerable patients: babies and children. She realized that the best treatment was to help babies get a stronger start in life. Babies need fresh air, clean and safe environments, and proper food. Dr. Jo's successes, fueled by her determination, compassion and ingenuity, made her famous across the nation for saving the lives of 90,000 inner city infants and children.

Ratings and reviews

Monica Kulling does an excellent job of introducing young readers to biographies. The story of Sarah Josephine Baker, Dr. Jo, is one that would interest any child, whether they are an early reader or being read to. Jo knew from an early age she wanted to be a doctor and help others. Losing her brother and father to a typhoid fever epidemic and seeing too many sick and dying, she wanted to make a difference.. She was only ten when she injured her knee and was taken care of by a kind doctor, she wanted to do the same for others. Sarah Josephine Baker learned about the Women's Medical College in New York founded by two sisters Emily and Elizabeth Blackwell. After graduating she did not have an easy time getting patients. She became a health inspector in the city of New York. It was during this time that she was sent to Hell's Kitchen a tough and very poor section of town. Due to the poverty and conditions, there was a lot of sickness and dying especially among the babies and children. It was here that Dr. Jo made the biggest impact, saving over 90,000 infants and children. I loved not only the story, but the simple but elegant art work. This is a book I would recommend for a lot of reading pleasure. I received a copy of this book from Tundra Books through NetGalleys. The opinions expressed in this book are my own.

About the author

MONICA KULLING was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Victoria. Monica is the author of over 50 books for children, including the popular Great Idea series, stories of inventors. The third book in the series, In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up, was chosen as a Once Upon a World Children's Book Award Honor Book by the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The sixth book in the series, Spic-and-Span! Lillian Gilbreth's Wonder Kitchen won the North Dakota Library Association 2016 Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (Non-Fiction), and was listed as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year (Non-Fiction) and the Boston Globe's Best Picture Books for the Year. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.

JULIANNA SWANEY is an illustrator, designer and fine artist whose work is inspired by themes of imagination, whimsy and melancholy. She studied printmaking at Maine College of Art (BFA 2005) and works in pencil, watercolor or gouache on paper. Dr. Jo is her first book with Tundra.