Cardillo, M. (2011). Just being Audrey. New York, NY: Blazer + Bray.
"She has that je ne sais quoi . . . that certain something." p. 10
Summary:
Just Being Audrey is a brief biography about Audrey Hepburn's life. It highlights her passions, determination, and gentle spirit. Born in Europe and eventually moving to America to become a movie star, Audrey's story is like a fairy tale. Cardillo tells of Audrey's dreams of becoming a dancer and how kind and modest Audrey was. She tells of how stardom didn't change Audrey's kind heart and how Audrey eventually won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for all for her goodwill efforts. The beautiful pastel water color illustrations capture Audrey's beauty inside and out. A timeline and bibliography are included in the back along with author and illustrator notes.Impressions:
Just Being Audrey is a sweet biography that young children, especially girls will like. The illustrations are just as lovely as the star the book portrays. I enjoyed her story and appreciated that an author took the time to write a story about such an unlikely iconic figure. Most children will not be familiar with Audrey Hepburn, but I suspect they'll want to know more about her after reading Cardillo's book. The timeline at the back, as well as the author and illustrator notes are interesting additions to the book.
Reviews:
From Booklist:
Grades 1-3. It’s hard to believe life for Audrey Hepburn was ever anything but smart clothes, quirky expressions, and wistful gazes into the eyes of Cary Grant, but Cardillo makes a strong case to the contrary. Growing up in WWII–era Europe, Audrey wanted only to be a dancer, but the other girls made fun of her physical hurdles: “She was too tall, her feet were too big, and her neck was too long,” and “her eyes seemed too big for her head.” Young readers will get the message: these were precisely the traits that made Audrey an iconic beauty as an adult. In short order, she was spotted by entertainment heavyweights for her je ne sais quoi and quickly catapulted to fame. Denos’ soft pastel illustrations cut just the right Audrey outline (complete with flapping neck scarf), and fans will especially enjoy picking out the movie roles depicted in a two-page spread of costumes. Her later humanitarian deeds are given their due, but it is Audrey’s simple kindness that is emphasized throughout.
Citation: Kraus, D. (2010). Just being Audrey. Booklist, 107(7), 43.
From Publishers Weekly:
Audrey Hepburn proves as irresistible a character in the pages of a children's book as she is in those soigne roles of the silver screen. Denos (Grandma's Gloves) is spot-on in her watercolor portraits of Hepburn at each stage of her life; even those readers who haven't seen Sabrina, Roman Holiday, or Charade (at least not yet) will understand instantly how Hepburn's ballerina bearing, gamine chic, and openhearted worldliness made her a one-of-a-kind star and fashion icon. Debut author Cardillo's literal, matter-of fact storytelling could have used a little more elan (especially given that her subject once spoke the urbane words of Peter Stone, Billy Wilder, and George Axelrod), but she gets her point across: "Audrey had become more than an actress; she was an inspiration. While most Hollywood starlets were curvy and wore glamorous outfits, Audrey would only be herself." And the story is packed with fascinating details about Hepburn's upbringing in WWII Europe and foray into acting. Any grownup who bemoans the way Katy Perry et al. dominate contemporary popular culture should buy this for their favorite girl-ASAP. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Citation: Just being Audrey (2010). Publishers Weekly, 257(48), 47.
Library Activity:
Audrey Hepburn was a 1950's icon. Use the '50s theme not only to introduce young readers to the era, but also to promote biographies in general. Begin by reading aloud and discussing Just Being Audrey. If possible, follow up the read aloud with a short video clip from one of Hepburn's films, such as "Roman Holiday." This brief clip will give readers a feel for the era and a visual of Audrey, including her sense of fashion that was mentioned in the book. In addition, display 50 biographies around the library to pique interest in the genre and to introduce readers to other historical figures and pop culture icons.
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