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

by Kulling, Monica; Swaney, Julianna

• ISBN13: 9781101917909
• ISBN10: 1101917903
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781101917916
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2025-12-31
• Publisher: Tundra Books
• More Book Details

Summary

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.

Author Biography

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.