Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Harper's (The Monster Show) skimpy, silly graphic novel introduces the Kittie family, "unusual" for three reasons: the family has a pet mouse (they're vegetarians); Mother Kittie lets her daughters Kiki and Lana pick out all their own clothes; and the family members know the secret identity of the titular whiskered superhero. Fashion Kitty's brain "can mix and match hundreds of outfits in a second" and her ears "hear the distress call of someone in need of fashion help." Learning that Kiki "has a natural flair for fashion" (unlike Lana, who is a "fashion nightmare" and wears her underwear on the outside), readers will have a good idea about the identity of the title chic feline. Pulling her sister's pantyhose over her head as a mask, Fashion Kitty flies off "to fight for free fashion!" She first convinces a young cat to ignore the fashion directives of a mean-spirited classmate and then sets up the wicked feline to embarrass herself at school the next day. Featuring a limited palette dominated by pinks, Harper's rudimentary art, like her sketchy story line, falls short of achieving its comic aspirations. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-On her birthday, as Kiki Kittie is making her wish, a pile of fashion magazines tumble on her head and voila! Fashion Kitty is born. As such, she helps other kittens with their wardrobe dilemmas and with their interactions with their peers. The story, though seemingly simplistic, touches upon a variety of themes including bullying, self-esteem, and family relationships. Fashion Kitty is a sassy, smart animal who, though concerned with haute couture, still has substance. Primarily illustrated through a variety of pinks and grays in a cartoon style, the pictures are artistically appealing and visually spectacular. The book should have wide appeal to upper elementary and middle school girls. It can be read aloud due to the enlarged panels (one to four on a page) and is an exceptionally fun and lively choice.-Jennifer Feigelman, Plattekill Public Library, Modena, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
She's a kitty, she's a vegetarian with a pet mouse, she has her own sense of style, she's . . . Fashion Kitty! Harper brings her comedic sense and flat, droll cartoons together in a graphic novel for young girls ("because many boys don't give two hoots about fashion"). Lana and Kiki, two sisters, might look a lot like their literary cousin, Rotten Ralph, but they are not rotten at all. These kitty-girls live in the world of stripes, flowers and polka dots, but each has her own distinct style. Lana prefers her rebellious clothing style, complete with underwear on the outside and stockings used as scarves. Kiki revels in repeated patterns, cute bobbles and an eclectic style that everyone loves. During an accident on Kiki's eighth birthday, fashion magazines fall on her head and she wakes, transformed into Fashion Kitty, with superpowers that allow her to help with fashion emergencies, even the ability to see a fashion faux pas in the making. A marvelous girly-girl response to the Captain Underpants books--with none of the embarrassing potty humor. (Fiction. 7-11) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
