#BookReview ~ Dressing Up The Stars by Jeanne Walker Harvey

The Story Of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head

Giveaway and Review

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the DRESSING UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD by Jeanne Walker Harvey & Diana Toledano (Illustrations) Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

Don’t forget the #Giveaway below

About The Book:

Title: DRESSING
UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD

Author: Jeanne Walker Harvey & Diana Toledano
(Illustrations)

Pub. Date: September 20, 2022

Publisher: Beach Lane Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 40

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Discover the true story of how a shy miner’s daughter became one of the most legendary costume designers in
Hollywood in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography.

As a child in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, Edith Head had few friends and spent most of her time dressing up her toys and pets and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She always knew she wanted to move somewhere full of people and excitement. She set her sights on Hollywood and talked her way
into a job sketching costumes for a movie studio.

Did she know how to draw or sew costumes? No. But that didn’t stop her!

Edith taught herself and tirelessly worked her way up until she was dressing some of the biggest stars of the day, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly to Ginger Rogers. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood movie studio costume department and went on to win eight Academy Awards for best
costume design—and she defined the style of an era.

I’ve read several biographies that were meant for children, but Dressing Up The Stars is among the best. The combination of informative text and interesting illustrations quickly won me over.

The story included enough information about Edith Head without feeling like I’d have to work to hold a child’s interest. And the bright illustrations had my attention from the decorative endsheet at the beginning to the end.

While the story doesn’t have to have underlying lessons, it does open the opportunity to discuss working hard for a goal. Though in my opinion, all people have the ability to work hard for something. I really have trouble when I see and hear kids being taught that “You can be whatever you want to be.” In my thinking that doesn’t give a child permission not to attain a goal if he/she worked hard. Anyway, enough of my feelings. This book beautifully opens discussions in several areas, which I really appreciate.

My Concerns

None

Final Thoughts

Educators, librarians, caregivers . . .  Yoo-hoo! If you read to children or if they’re old enough to read to themselves, this is a non-fiction book that is short, educational, and interesting.

The back of the book has an interesting Author’s Note included, as well as selected sources.

My thanks to Rockstar Book Tours and the publisher for a place on this tour and a copy to review. I was free to post my thoughts.

Click for the Dressing Up The Stars Activity Kit by Diana Toledano

About Jeanne Walker Harvey:

JEANNE WALKER HARVEY studied literature and psychology at
Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of  Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with  Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Jeanne lives in Northern California. Visit her online at JeanneHarvey.com.

Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon

About Diana Toledano:

DIANA TOLEDANO is an illustrator, writer, and educator. She
is also a Pisces who loves children’s books, patterns, and dancing her heart out. Originally from Spain, Diana (pronounced the Spanish way: dee-ah-na) grew up in Madrid where she studied art history and illustration. Now she lives in San Francisco with her husband and two fluffy cats. Her mixed media art seeks to capture the magic of the ordinary. Diana’s product designs, picture books, board books, and chapter books have been published and sold all over the world. Diana also teaches workshops for kids and adults. She enjoys doing school visits and speaking at conferences. Learn more at Diana-Toledano.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads
| Amazon | BookBub

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of DRESSING UP THE STARS: THE STORY OF MOVIE COSTUME DESIGNER EDITH HEAD, US Only.

Ends September 24^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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