Different Like Coco

Different Like Coco is a delightful biography of Coco Chanel, the famous fashion designer. The book traces Chanel's life from birth, through the death of her mother when Coco was twelve. Coco had to move to an orphanage, where she learned to sew. Women were only allowed a few jobs in the early 1900s, and luckily for Chanel, tailoring was one of them. She began making her own clothes. While this book tells the inspiring tale of Coco Chanel, who surpassed many obstacles because of her gender and financial status, the overarching theme of the book is that Coco Chanel was always different, and people always liked her. In addition to being a good biography, it's also covers history, including World War I, nicely. Although it deals with some difficult topics quite honestly, Matthews manages to maintain a hopeful theme. There is enough history included to attract older readers as well. I imagine this book is best suited for independent readers, although it would fit nicely in a World War I unit, as it presents a unique perspective on wartime life.

As Maurice Chevalier sang, "Thank Heaven for little girls" . . . at least we can thank Heaven for one who grew up with an independent spirit, and an imagination for corset-Less chic. Coco Chanel (1883-1971) said "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." The book's end papers reproduce other quotations from this fashion icon, including "Fashion is made to become unfashionable!" Elizabeth Matthews has written a perfect Springtime fancy, and the pen & ink illustrations are every bit as lively, just right for introducing children & their very willing parents to a story about the little girl Coco who overcame her tough childhood with sewing skills learned in a Catholic orphanage. She could hold her own with snobby students of privilege and learned much by watching her peers. She later hung fabric on mannequin forms and basted in her relaxed styles which brought her fashion immortality. The author, who graduated from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, chose Chanel as her somewhat innovative subject for children's picture books. Matthews is sure to have studied much about Coco Chanel and her clever "inventions" of the cartigan suit, and in 1926 "the little black dress." Reviewer mcHaiku isn't quite as old as the famed Chanel No. 5; it contained more than 80 ingredients, a new fact about 'parfum' for this reader. Chanel epitomizes a certain fortitude & determination that we hope young readers will try to replicate. Perhaps they will remember another of her sayings: "INNOVATION! One cannot be forever innovating. I want to create CLASSICS."

Children's non-fiction books have come a long way, not just in style but in subject matter. How great that Candlewick saw fit to publish a picture book biography of, astonishingly, someone the average child is probably unfamiliar with -- a woman who died long before the child was born, from a country not much studied in grade schools, representing a profession hardly mentioned at all: fashion designer. But Elizabeth Matthews, through text and pictures, has made Coco Chanel someone little girls (and open-minded little boys?) can identify with. Chanel's story is a literal rags-to-riches tale, and Matthews' enchanting art work captures her heroine's style and joie de vivre (not to mention chutzpah, to mix linguistic tags) beautifully. The cover image itself could be posted on a little girl's bedroom wall. And underneath, perhaps, the words "Dare to be Different. Like Coco."

First time children's book author/illustrator Elizabeth Matthews could haven't chosen a better subject than Coco Chanel. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design Matthews obviously has an appreciation of Chanel's numerous contributions and reflects that feeling in this charmingly illustrated story of the famed courtier's life. Orphaned at the age of 12, Chanel and her two sisters were relegated to an orphanage. It was a mixed blessing because it was there that Chanel learned to sew. She had a lively imagination and often dreamed of being with a family again and being accepted by a society that now ignored her because she had no position, no funds. Later, at the age of 18 she was dispatched as a charity case to Notre Dame, a finishing school. There the difference between rich and poor was more marked than ever so Chanel learned how to emulate the wealthy - she studied their manners, and the way they walked. Upon leaving Notre Dame Chanel found work at a tailoring shop. Even then she was determined to better herself. Obviously, she couldn't afford to dress the way the rich women did, the ones she wanted to accept her. So, she made a life altering decision - she would deliberately be different. She made her own dresses, very unlike the corseted gowns the wealthy ladies wore. She carried this off with style and a touch of arrogance. When a wealthy young man fell in love with her he bought her a small shop in Paris - the rest is fashion history. "Different Like Coco" is not only an entertaining story for young readers but is also an example of how someone can "embrace their uniqueness and dream big." - Gail Cooke

This is an adorable book for any little girl or boy who loves fashion. A great story with wonderful illustrations!