Silly Rabbit, Coco Is For Kids!

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Lolly. Lolly's legs were too long for her pants, her glasses were too big for her face, her hair was frizzy, and her smile was marred by braces. Lolly was no homecoming queen, nor did she want to be. She loved dark poetry, Nirvana, tie-dye shirts, and her bffs--who loved her just the way she was. Lolly was different. Just like Coco.

These days, Lolly is all grown up. Thanks to Rock & Republic, her jeans are plenty long enough. With the help of a Chi flat iron, her hair is tame. On the days she chooses to rock glasses instead of contacts, her Burberry Buddy-Holly-style black frames are fiercer than fierce. Not to mention, her orthodontist did one heck of a job! Lolly is a fashionista, just as she wanted to be. She loves dark memoirs, underground hip-hop, Chanel, and her bffs--who love her just the way she is. Lolly is still different. Just like Coco.

How far children's books have come since Lolly was a little girl! Elizabeth Matthews' story, Different Like Coco, is a charming depiction of the life and style of Mademoiselle Chanel that is suitable for both budding fashionistas and their fashionista mummies alike. The truth is, just because girls like Lolly covet all that is Chanel, it wasn't always that way for Coco. When she was starting out, "Coco couldn't afford to dress like the corseted ladies of high society and she was never going to be shapely. There was no point in trying to be like them. Instead, she tried to be different."

I am thrilled that Elizabeth Matthews and her publishers were able to bring this fabulous book to life, for now children are privy to the story of Chanel and how she was able to triumph against all odds to ultimately become one of the best fashion designers in history. Even if Chanel isn't your favorite flavor (though I shudder to think of such a person!), Different Like Coco is a classic rags-to-riches tale, encouraging readers of all ages to follow their dreams--even if they are different from the norm.

The moral of the story, boys and girls, is that it's okay to be different. In fact, difference (which sometimes means writing in the third person) is what makes us beautiful. Viva la Chanel!

Excerpt from Different Like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews, from Candlewick, 2007. Available online at http://www.amazon.com/.