I Am Coco

This portrait of a fiercely independent creative thinker is filled with whimsical pictures and informative texts to depict the entire arc of Coco's life and career, from schoolgirl rebel to haute couture icon. Young Gabrielle came from a poor family, was orphaned at age 12, and learned to sew in a convent school. She worked as a seamstress and sang in cabarets, where she was given the nickname Coco. This story--and the remarkable career that followed--is exuberantly told in Isabel Pin's simple yet detailed illustrations. Young readers will learn about Coco's beginnings as a hat designer, and how her earliest creations presaged the concept of sportswear. They'll learn about her iconic designs-- the little black dress, the impeccable suit, the squared-off perfume bottle, and the acclaimed logo. And they will learn how a freethinking young artist who freed women from the corsets and extravagant ornamentations of the early 20th century grew into a ferociously ambitious designer who staged her own comeback at the age of 70. Whether they are interested in the history of fashion, or looking for encouragement to pursue their own dreams, young readers will find this entertaining biography both fascinating and inspiring.