J is for Judy Classic Hollywood's leading ladies from A to Z

Famous actresses are each briefly described here in rhyme, accompanied by colorful, labeled digital illustrations depicting each woman in a scene from a notable film. "A is for Audrey, a sudden sensation when she played a princess in Rome on vacation," says the first entry, with the footnote telling readers that this is "Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann, Roman Holiday, 1953." Though the book is formed around the alphabet, more than 26 actresses (and a few behind-the-scenes experts) are spotlighted, with most letters featuring more than one person; for instance, the spread for D includes Debbie Reynolds, Donna Reed, Doris Day, Dorothy Dandridge, and Dolores del Río. Included among the "classic leading ladies" are such lesser-known figures as Lupe Vélez and Miyoshi Umeki, and helpful endnotes detail movies that the subjects appeared in, though it must be noted that the movies listed aren't all suitable for the book's audience. Still, this will provide a fun browse that will benefit from some additional guidance from adults. For larger biography collections where readers can find more details on those featured.

K-Gr 4--Allman and Emmerich's latest collaboration continues the magic found in A Is for Audra and B Is for Broadway. This newest book focuses on the early leading ladies of the silver screen. Incorporated throughout are actresses like Joan Crawford, Rita Moreno, and Judy Garland, as well as women who worked behind the scenes as directors, producers, and cinematographers. Women of color, including Hattie McDaniel and Anna May Wong, are also highlighted. While following the format of an alphabet book, the text takes a few liberties by using last names or the word "experts" for X, but that does not take away from the joy and flow of the book. The caricature art lends a sophisticated whimsy to the simple text. Each page is a work of art that could stand alone as an homage to the featured actress. Younger readers will enjoy the illustrations and simple text. Older readers will love digging deeper into the lives of new-to-them actresses through the brief biographies in the back and the suggested movies in the descriptions on each page. VERDICT A fun new addition for the biography section; purchase where the previous books are popular.--V. Lynn Christiansen

The team behind A Is for Audra (2019) returns with an alphabet book devoted to female movie stars from Hollywood's golden age. "A is for Audrey, a sudden sensation / when she played a princess in Rome on vacation." The opening lines of this work are accompanied by an image of a fresh-faced Audrey Hepburn smiling from a Vespa, muted scenes of the city in the background. Pages of rhythmic, rhyming accolades follow as Allman introduces performers such as Carmen Miranda, Hattie McDaniel, and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Some letters refer to several actors ("D is for Debbie and Donna and Doris, / the dynamite Dorothy, and dazzling Dolores"). Most subjects are depicted wearing costumes from famous film roles. The colorful, stylized art achieves likeness without ever resorting to caricature. Each woman's full name, a movie role, and that movie's date appear in a small font toward the bottom of the page. Cleverly, the letter X refers to behind-the-scenes "eXperts," such as editor Barbara McLean and costume designer Edith Head. Endnotes offer more information but not enough for a 21st-century child reading this alone. Kids will likely have questions. Just for starters: Who was Alfred Hitchcock? What is Grauman's Chinese Theatre? Nonetheless, it's a slick, enjoyable package. Kudos to Allman for rhyming aquatic with hypnotic to describe swimmer-turned-actor Esther Williams. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Perfect for an adult old-movie buff to share with a younger friend. (Informational picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.