JUST BEING AUDREY by Margaret Cardillo, illustrated by Julia Denos (Balzer & Bray, 2011)
Her mother reminded her that there were more important things than fame..."You must always be kind."
Talk about a duckling growing into a swan! From Audrey Hepburn's childhood beginnings as a gawky girl in ballet class, hiding with family during WWII, to her adventures in acting (meeting the author Colette and cast as Gigi, and landing a role in Roman Holiday), to her other roles in life as a mother and as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, the life of a woman who knew how to be her own unique brave and endearing self is laid out to inspire a whole new generation. I am simply beside myself over the illustrations as lovely as a 1950's back-issue of Vogue; the double-page spread of Audreys all bedeckled in beautiful vintage Hollywood fashion from Funny Face to Breakfast at Tiffany's to My Fair Lady is sure to elicit groans of admiration, and the high-spirited smile Audrey wears as she dons one scarf four different ways is utterly contagious. The illustrator's style is spry, carrying us easily across the whirlwind timeline and aging our pixie queen most gracefully. While the fashionista that is Audrey is undeniable in these pages, the biography is not shallow, sharing insights and highlights of a real life and bringing it around nicely at the end, with a collection of sweet modern-day girls emulating her style. All I can say is: more! More! More! Gene Kelly biography next, please...and thank you. (6 and up)
Also of interest:
In Audrey Hepburn's honor, a clip from Funny Face
, accompanied by Kay Thompson (who is also the author of Eloise
):Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.
1 comment:
This was a very attractive book; I have to find a way to justify buying it for my middle school. I would buy a Gene Kelly one in a second!
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