Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel is from The Little People, Big Dreams series. This series is based on the lives of inspirational women who have changed the world. This is the story of Coco Chanel, how she started as an orphan living in France. Coco was different from other girls because she liked to sew. Coco noticed how tight women's clothes were so she designed her own. At first, a lot of women didn't like her clothes and thought they were odd - but now, she is one of the most celebrated designers in the world! The book has been beautifully put together and the illustrations are fantastic. The story has been put together in a way that they are both meaningful but accessible to children across a variety of ages. I think this series would be beneficial both at home and in school as the books teach resilience and determination. Picture book / Ages 5+ / Reviewed by Lauren Maidman, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Little People, Big Dreams is a collection of books about famous women and their lives. This book tells the story of Coco Chanel, otherwise known as Gabrielle when she was a child. She grew up in an orphanage where the nuns and other girls thought she was a bit strange. She didn't really fit in because she was different from all of the other girls. As she began to grow older, Gabrielle started to sew and liked to create things. She started by making a hat for her friend which was very different from other hats she owned. Gabrielle became known as Coco and continued to create new designs, incorporating dresses and other items into her collection. The book is dominated by some fantastic pictures which bring it to life. It is written using simple language for young children to enjoy, however, it also includes a more detailed, technical timeline at the end of the book for adults and older children to enjoy. This biography is inspiring for children in many ways; it fuels their curiosity, shows them they can do whatever they want if they put their minds to it and it also teaches them that being different can really pay off! A fantastic book. Picture book / Ages 5+ / Reviewed by Lucy Newton, Teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

The 'Little People, Big Dreams' series is a collection of beautifully bound books that tell the stories of many famous faces. The series says that, through them, children will 'Discover the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream'..and I absolutely agree! This a really simple picture book that tells the biography of CoCo Chanel from childhood to success. Each page has minimal text on and is completely child friendly. I'm vaguely familiar with Chanel's story (I have a penchant for biographic films!) and this story seems to include many key moments in her career - from the initial shock of her collection, to the roaring success of Chanel no. 5! In my class there are many girls who dream of being fashion designers, and this book would be a great gift for any of them! It's a beautifully designed book that will hopefully inspire many budding Chanels! 32 pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Lizi Coombs, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 7+