School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-8-These books, nominally about exploring fashion identities, will fly off library shelves due to the superabundance of celebrity photos. Readers can compare their taste in clothes with those of public figures: Malia and Sasha Obama are preppy, while Kristen Stewart is identified as edgy, and noted three-piece suit enthusiast Ryan Gosling is picked as a hipster poster boy. Editorial, candid, and runway photos illustrate sections that break down the history and elements of each style and offer how-to advice. Accessories, hair and makeup are not overlooked, which brings up the point that despite photos of male fashion exemplars like Jay-Z, Shaun White, and Justin Bieber, these books are aimed at girls and at those who wish to style them. Three simple DIY projects, such as a decorated baseball hat or canvas shoes, are included in each volume. Pictured celebs seem to be chosen in part for their durability-Taylor Swift and Solange Knowles are likely to be well known for a while-giving these books a fighting chance of remaining relevant for a few years or until their bindings wear out. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Each book offers tween fashionistas profiles of celebrity style icons and the basics of each titular style (cuts, fabrics, shoes, etc.), with "Styling DIY" inserts along the way. The attractive fashion-magazine design is appealing, and helpful, timely tips abound, but there's limiting over-strictness in the narrative's guiding hand: e.g., "No spikes or messy braids are allowed!" (Preppy). Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these What's Your Style? titles: Boho Fashion, Hipster Fashion, Preppy Fashion, Edgy Fashion, and Streetwear Fashion.] (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
