"This poetic tale chronicles the presence and contributions of African American midwives. Rites of passage incandescently brought to light." —Vicky Smith, Kirkus Reviews
"It’s a moving set of poems, accompanied by Daniel Minter’s dramatic portraits, dominated by rich shades of blue, of women and babies; it is art filled with symbolic patterns and images." —Julie Danielson, The Horn Book
“The Women Who Caught the Babies is a Masterpiece of Art and Writing! It deserves RESOUNDING Praise and Awards!” —Ashley Bryan, Artist and Author
"While well-chosen archival photos accompany the book’s introduction and final poem, Minter’s full-page paintings beautifully illustrate most of the verse. Strong and graceful, the images feature deep, rich colors brightened with white netlike forms created with repeated motifs and vibrant images evocative of the natural world: the ocean, sea-foam, fishes, birds, branches, leaves, blossoms, fruits, and new life waiting to be born. A unique, moving tribute to the women who caught the babies and continue to do so today." —Carolyn Phelan, Booklist from ALA
"This unique picture book begins with historic background on the work of midwives, written in prose that is accessible to young readers and accompanied by archival photographs. The book then switches to poetry and stunningly beautiful illustrations—with vignettes from lives of midwives during slavery, emancipation, and today." —Deborah Menkart, Social Justice Books
"In this short book, poet and author, Eloise Greenfield, uses prose to explore the history of African American midwives in America. Other than the introduction, all of the book is told in unrhymed lines, bits and pieces of history interwoven with more intimate narratives. The poems are accompanied by the lovely artwork of Daniel Minter, a painter and illustrator with a long history of illustrious pieces. The art is filled with blues, yellows, and reds, and creates a cohesive theme that permeates the entire book." —Manhattan Book Review
"… the verses capture the powerful, loving, and unwavering work of these women, who guided humans into the world 'with gentle, loving hands.' The verses are accompanied by Minter’s dramatic portraits … of women and babies … filled with symbolic patterns and images." —Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
"This unique picture book begins with historic background on the work of midwives, written in prose that is accessible to young readers and accompanied by archival photographs. The book then switches to poetry and stunningly beautiful illustrations — with vignettes from lives of midwives during slavery, emancipation, and today." —Rethinking Schools Magazine
★ 2019-07-28
This poetic tale chronicles the presence and contributions of African American midwives.
A five-page historical introduction explains a few specific details of the role of the midwife, including noting their contributions dating back to the time of slavery; this is accompanied by archival, black-and-white photographs. Seven poems follow, celebrating midwives through history. First, Greenfield describes the trans-Atlantic slave journey and how, in America, the elder women taught the younger girls the knowledge and skill of assisting in childbirth, or "catching the babies." The poem "After Emancipation, 1863" speaks to the special exuberance expressed by parents whose children were at last born free from slavery: The midwife "felt the / excitement circling through / the room. / …it was more than / the joy of a new baby coming." In "The Early 1900s," the midwife now had more than her hands for the job; she had a stethoscope, scales, and, most likely, her husband, who would transport her via horse and buggy to deliver babies. The poems are accompanied by colorful, symbolic artwork by Minter. One striking image depicts five women connected by sinuous, draping robes, heads bowed in concentration, "gentle, loving" hands at the ends of muscular arms "guid[ing babies] into the world." Greenfield also includes black-and-white photographs of her childhood self, a nod to "Miss Rovenia Mayo," the midwife who "caught" her in 1929.
Rites of passage incandescently brought to light. (Picture book/poetry. 7-12)
