Pollard published over a hundred hymns,[2] and wrote numerous popular children's books mostly on religious and historical topics.

[8] Some of her children's poetry was collected in the book Elfin land published in 1882.

[9] In her children's books she neither talked over the child's head nor down to it in tones of condescension.

[10] Her works have seen a recent resurgence as early readers, spurred by the home-school movement.

Josephine Pollard died in New York City after a long illness on 15 August 1892.