Product Description
Crackling with energy and flair, this stylish book from Maxine Beneba Clarke—author of The Patchwork Bike and creator of When We Say Black Lives Matter—is all about the power of self-expression.
Put on your PASSION.
Wear your HEART on your sleeve.
YOU’RE A FASHIONISTA!
Work it. Rock it. BELIEVE.
Sometimes you go for clothes that are comfy-careless or just-blend-in fine. Or maybe you’re in the mood for something more chic-a-bam! Lipstick that shimmers. Knee-high boots for steppin’ out on the town. Fancy-frolic in feathers. Whatever you wear, find something you love and fast-make it your thing. Wear your wardrobe however—chic-a-boom! You’re a fashionista! Alive with bold, vibrant, minimalist illustrations, Maxine Beneba Clarke’s freeform text celebrates the joy of expressing yourself through fashion.
From School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-Readers can explore the confidence and joy of fashion and self-expression in this empowering picture book. Clarke defines "fashionista" as someone who "digs fashion" and believes that it's "great fun to dress up, step out, and show off looks they love." Bold, collage-style illustrations depict a variety of individuals donning unique clothing choices, eye-catching hair styles, and brilliant makeup looks. Energetic spreads describe the various moods and days that match each look, such as "dozy days" for pajamas, while "pretty-proud-prancing" calls for hot pink leggings. Clothes can be brand new, handmade, or handed down-whatever makes the wearers feel their best. Spirited, enthusiastic text along with minimalist, striking illustrations make this an excellent choice for reading aloud. Characters are diverse in skin color and age. This title would make an excellent companion to books such as Saadia Faruqi's Yasmin the Fashionista and Deborah Blumenthal's Fancy Party Gowns. VERDICT Upbeat and cheerful, this story is a welcome addition to most collections.-Olivia Goreckeα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
Clarke creates a runway of fashion-loving folks of various skin tones who rock their styles with verve and vitality, alongside verse that rolls off the tongue and delights the ear. . . . Although the bold-colored backgrounds change from page to page, their singular color makes Clarke’s amazing, unique mixed-media collage illustrations of people—“CHIC-A-BOOM! CHIC-A-BAM!”—pop and announce their presence. . . . . A luminous picture book that exudes joy as it celebrates the freedom to be the one and only you.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Readers can explore the confidence and joy of fashion and self-expression in this empowering picture book. . . Spirited, enthusiastic text along with minimalist, striking illustrations make this an excellent choice for reading aloud. . . Upbeat and cheerful.
—School Library Journal
About the Author
Maxine Beneba Clarke is an award-winning Australian writer and slam poet champion of Afro-Caribbean descent. She is the author of The Patchwork Bike,illustrated by Van Thanh Rudd, which received a Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the author-illustrator of the critically acclaimed When We Say Black Lives Matter. Maxine Beneba Clarke’s poetry and short fiction have won several prizes, including an Australian Independent Bookseller Indie Book Award and a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Poetry. She lives in Australia.
