Along Came Coco: A Story About Coco Chanel

In Byrne’s story of Coco Chanel, her rebellious childhood in a French convent and early love of beautiful garments sets the stage for her career as a pioneering fashion designer. Byrne illustrates with squiggly, wavelike lines and sweeping watercolors; readers see Chanel soaking in the sights and styles of Paris, channeling them into her fresh designs. Chanel’s free yet practically minded spirit is evident in her decision to wear her hair short and forsake corsets in favor of loose dresses and pocketed smocks. An author’s note provides additional background on Chanel (and notes her somewhat inscrutable nature). The book doesn’t offer a particularly intimate perspective on the subject’s life, but Byrne makes it clear how Chanel’s forward-thinking designs revolutionized fashion. Ages 4–8. [em](Mar.) [/em]