Different Like Coco Hardcover – Picture Book, February 13, 2007

As a policy I don't give book 5 stars unless they knock me down with their excellence, but this book is great - definitely worthy of purchase.This is a wonderfully inspirational book for children. I saw it years ago, didn't buy it, but I kept thinking about until I finally bought it recently for my daughters. They love it! It sends very positive messages about being independent, creative, and resourceful.The primary weakness of the book is its focus on the word "different." What comes out of the biography is Chanel's determination, drive, personal power, and creativity - characteristics that helped her follow her own mind and become "different" as a consequence. Too often in kid's literature and other media, children are exhorted to be "different" and "express themselves" without thinking about what they're doing, and they end up as conformists. Chanel was a thinker, and that made her different from all the other "different" people. By focusing on the word "different", the book sells itself a little short.Some aspects of Coco Chanel's life during WWII are considered morally questionable, but they've been left out of this book to render a narrative appropriate for children. This is fine for the age group it's targeted for, and the simple story in this book is most effective.

Es un libro fiel a su historia, estamos armando una pequeña librería con mujeres reales, mujeres que han triunfado y eso precisamente le hacía falta a la colección que tengo con mi niña.

As a long time Chanel fan, I got this book for my 9 year old niece and she loved it! Even though she is only 9, she enjoyed the story line of a little orphan girl who ended up being rich and famous. At first I thought the book would be to difficult for her to follow, but it really wasn't. It told Coco's life story very appropriately for girls her age. The illustrations on this book are really cute! I know that one day my niece will one day love everything Chanel just like the women in her family!

Very fun book purchased by me a 53 year old that ran across this book and another similar by accident. I had to have it for me! Yes, I'm 53, but the books are lovely and I have my two new books in a spare room that is decorated for a little girl. My husband thought I was crazy, but this and Piggy Goes to Prada are just lovely and I read them both!

I was really looking forward to receiving this book. I worked in the fashion industry designing dresses and fashion has always been part of my life and now that I have three daughters we share this passion. I was so excited about this book in fact, that I ordered two. One for my daughter's best friend. We got the book and all was good until we got to the page about lying. It states, "...she rarely told the truth. She constantly rearranged and romanticised the facts of her life story. She would even tell lies in confession!" I get it.. She was from very humble beginnings that she would make up her life. But in a book for little girls called "Different like Coco," is lying a good trait to have to be different? I find the word lying very negative and bad portrayal of character. I wish the author had worded this differently. She could have said that Coco was always embellishing her truth because she wanted more and she was a dreamer... or could have omitted the sentence of "rarely told the truth" and the one about "lying." Lying is a serious issue not something kids should strive for in trying to be different. Just look at what happened to Ryan Lochte. It does not matter if you have gold medals lying will not get you far. So yes.. I have a big issue with this book and I am wondering if to return, tear page apart or white it out. I do not recommend.

Coco Chanel started out with nothing and became a household name with a lasting legacy. Her name and style is known throughout the world, and admired. I didn't realize the extent to which she influenced what women could wear -- what we DO wear. The book covers her personal life, and also the evolution and impact of her creations.

Love this book! It’s gorgeous and has beautiful and fun illustrations of the life of Coco!

I love this book!! The cover is this fantastic soft paper over the hard cover and inside is told the life story of Coco Chanel in a colorful and liberating way. I read it and then read it again and made my mother read it. Enjoy the read.

Beautiful gift for a little girl.

Beautiful book and a great way to introduce an icon to my niece. She is 8 and the story was perfectly written for her ability, the illustrations are gorgeous and she really enjoyed it.

Lovely book, perfect for any little girl (or big girl like me) to instill and reinforce that confidence and pursuing your dream. Just perfect for a Chanel fan like me!

I was disappointed in this book because it is written in big writing for a child. I had purchased it for a young woman who is interested in fashion and designing. It never occurred to me that it was written for a little child. What little children would be interested in a book about a fashion designer anyway.