Holding Her Own

December 19, 2022
This biography of Jackie Ormes (1911–1985), born Zelda Jackson outside of Pittsburgh, follows her arc toward becoming the first nationally syndicated Black woman cartoonist, spanning her childhood in an artistic household and her time as a rhetorically gifted sports reporter relegated to the “women’s activities” pages of renowned Black-owned newspaper the Pittsburgh Courier. Soon, though, she fords the funny pages of that publication with a successful comic strip called Torchy Brown, taking inspiration from both the paper’s stories and “the jump and jive of Harlem.” After WWII, Jackie joins the fight for civil rights in her own way: raising money and creating comic character Patty-Jo, who both speaks to wide-ranging social concerns and is designed “to make people smile.” Todd’s reportorial text hints at Ormes’s journalist beginnings and quick wit, while Wright’s paneled illustrations alternate between images of the subject and spreads that follow her maturing art style. Ages 7–10.

Starred review from March 10, 2023

Gr 2-5-An outstanding picture book biography about a groundbreaking Renaissance woman. Zelda "Jackie" Ormes was an artist and storyteller from birth. By the time she was a teen, she was a sports journalist for the Black-owned Pittsburgh Courier and eventually created a comic strip called Torchy Brown in "Dixie to Harlem," which centered around a young woman making her mark during the Great Migration. Ormes was the first nationally syndicated Black woman cartoonist. She also started a strip called Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger about two sisters, which she used to comment on Black life, World War II and its aftermath, and the fight for justice. It became so popular that Ormes created her own Patty-Jo dolls and began to use her influence to support better housing and schools for Black people, catching the attention of the FBI, which spied on her for 10 years. Todd's impeccable research shines through in the accessible text. The narrative is punchy with the pop of a comic strip, and Ormes is the protagonist. It will draw in readers and make them want to learn more about this fascinating artist. Cartoonist Wright's digital art has a textured feel, like a comic strip come alive. The 1940s setting is depicted through vivid, jewel-tone illustrations and reproductions of Ormes's famous characters. The design perfectly matches the subject, with speech bubbles, newspaper-like clippings, and dynamic scenes. Back matter includes author and illustrator's notes, photos, a selected bibliography, and scenes from the Patty-Jo cartoon. VERDICT An extraordinary picture book biography about an extraordinary pioneer in comics and journalism that deserves a spot on every shelf.-Shelley M. Diaz

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 15, 2022
An effervescent tribute to Jackie Ormes, widely considered to be the first nationally syndicated Black woman cartoonist in the United States. In a buoyant profile and then a more detailed afterword, Todd takes her scandalously little-known subject from an exuberant child who "fills every space she can find" with drawings to the successful creator of several pre- and post-World War II comic strips featuring strong-minded young Black characters--notably Patty-Jo and Torchy Brown--who confront prejudice and fear in "quiet, mighty ways." Reflecting her prominence in Chicago's African American community, Ormes cuts a stylish figure in the jazzy illustrations, and Wright slips in samples of Ormes' work to capture its vitality as well as the "Jackie joy" that characterized it. "I was always fighting battles," she said, and along with championing women's rights to work (and play: One cartoon reproduced here has Patty-Jo, dressed in tatters and holding a football, indignantly telling her mother, "What'cha mean it's no game for girls? We got feet too, ain't we?"), she was active enough in social causes and the early civil rights movement to be investigated by the FBI. Rather than complete this picture of her life, the author and the illustrator leave a blank page to represent the decades between her retirement from comics and her death in 1985, but there's enough here to keep readers marveling at her distinctive character and achievements...and likely wondering why it's taken this long to discover them. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Long-overdue but welcome recognition for a pioneering graphic artist. (artist's note, bibliography, photos) (Picture-book biography. 7-10)

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Starred review from January 1, 2023
Grades 2-5 *Starred Review* Following the success of Nina (2021), Todd offers another engaging picture book biography of a Black woman artist in this account of the life and times of Jackie Ormes, the first Black woman to have a nationally syndicated newspaper comic strip. Jaunty artwork by comics artist Wright (Twins, 2020) perfectly sets the tone with bright colors, visual references to classic comic strip conventions, and animated versions of Ormes' iconic cartoon characters Torchy Brown and Patty-Jo. Ormes' varied career is fascinating, and Todd's engrossing and well-researched text really does it justice, describing her skill with language in her newspaper columns, the sly awareness at work in her comic strips, and the philanthropy her success allowed her to perform. Along with that success, however, came heightened attention from federal agencies suspicious of powerful Black Americans: the FBI trailed her for a decade. Todd's ability to seamlessly weave in important historical context adds important depth to this celebratory and joyful story of a woman undauntedly following her passions. There's a dearth of books about Ormes for children, and her success is an important part of the history of American comics that is often overshadowed by more familiar names; this bright, informative, and inviting book should start to turn that tide. Extensive back matter bolsters the already strong content.

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