Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Mitford at the Fashion Zoo by Donald Robertson - OPTIONAL



Robertson, Donald.  Mitford at the Fashion Zoo.  Viking (Penguin), 2015.  $17.99.  PICTURE BOOK.

Panda Summers is in need of an assistant and fast.  She refuses 521 candidates before NHR (Non-Human Resources) brings in Mitford the Giraffe who botched an interview earlier by sneezing.  Panda likes Mitford’s style and his taste in fashion so she hires him.  Mitford comes to her rescue when the poufy pink dresses can’t fit in the taxi’s trunk, Mitford and his other Giraffe friends carry them above the crowd to the fashion show.  Mitford then helps Shark who is having a creative block come up with a new idea.  He then helps Mikael Boars who is in tears; because he believes his show is ruined.  Mitford knew just what to do.  In the end all of his very fashionable friends cheer on Mitford.  Author/illustrator Donald Robertson is a creative director in the fashion industry and his illustrations have a fashion designer flair and look they could be a part of a designer’s sketch book.  Color is used to highlight different characters or fashion on the page, but much is left as black and white drawings.  The cover caught my attention, but I felt the story was a little long and convoluted for the age group.  Too many adult animal characters that were very dramatic and in settings I don’t think most 4-8 year-olds will understand.  For fashion enthusiasts only. 

Pre-K, EL-OPTIONAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.   

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