Review by Booklist Review
The life of Jacqueline Kennedy gets a stylish treatment here, but as the book shows, She was steel under all that beauty and style. Beginning with her girlhood love of horses, it follows Jackie as she travels, works for a newspaper, meets and marries John Kennedy, becomes an international icon as First Lady, and finds a life as a book editor following JFK's assassination. The text moves briskly but is sometimes careless. For instance, it was in France that President Kennedy called himself the man who accompanied Jackie to Paris, not in the U.S., as Cardillo states; it's a stretch to say that before her restoration of the White House, America's most historic home had no history in it; and an unlikely thought attributed to Jackie, I'm going to lead the country, is not sourced. But the text does reveal her spirit, and readers will be attracted by watercolor-and-ink pictures that charm throughout. Kennedy's sparkle is apparent, whether she's reading or chatting with dignitaries. A two-page spread of Jackie in different outfits will make fashionistas swoon. An enticing introduction.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cardillo follows up her debut picture book, Just Being Audrey, also illustrated by Denos, with another biography of an important woman from history. She begins with young Jacqueline Bouvier's fall off a horse: "She dusted herself off and got right back on. She was tougher than she looked... and knew how to stand out in a crowd without saying a word." Cardillo focuses on Jackie's early career as a journalist-a pursuit that was unconventional for women of her era. Her marriage to Jack Kennedy and his election to the presidency leads to her efforts to revitalize the White House and to help build diplomacy worldwide. Denos's fluid, mixed-media art faithfully captures Jackie's intellectual curiosity and love of reading as a child; her sophisticated, understated style as First Lady; and her professional prowess as an editor. She subtly conveys the moment of President Kennedy's assassination through the drifting of red rose petals from Jackie's bouquet into an inky gray spread. End notes from the author and illustrator offer a personal touch to this affectionate story of a figure of substance and grace. Ages 4-8. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
From the creators of Just Being Audrey comes another picture-book biography on a beloved American woman. The narrative outlines Jackie Kennedy Onassis's accomplishments throughout her life, with emphasis on her grit, assured voice, and passion. (Satisfyingly, her relationship with JFK is just a small part of the story.) Elegant watercolor, pencil, and pen-and-ink illustrations complete the engaging portrait. Author's and illustrator's notes are appended. Timeline. Bib. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
One of America's most elegant first ladies is introduced to a new generation of readers in this charming picture book.Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was many things: style icon, journalist, book editor, art lover, historian, and shrewd politician. Cardillo pays homage to all of the enigmatic first lady's many facets by depicting her for young audiences as the Everygirl who happened to become a legend. The story opens with an image of Jackie not as a poised debutante but as a scrappy young equestrienne who is undaunted by the occasional spill from her horse. The courageous wind-swept girl with the dirt-smudged cheeks is eminently approachable, and as she matures into a beautiful woman, readers see that inner fortitude carry Jackie through the White House, unbelievable grief, and an inspiring journey of self-discovery. The author's message is expertly aided by Denos' stunning illustrations, which were created with pen, ink, pencil, and Photoshop and appear as if they came straight out of a sketchbook for Vogue. Whether Jackie is standing in front of the Eiffel Tower dazzled by the scenery or bowed in stately grief in her widow's weeds, the story told in this book is that of a woman in love: with her husband, with the City of Light, with books, and with life. What an inspiring tale indeed.A lovely literary tribute that will inspire readers to want to know more. (author's note, illustrator's note, timeline, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
