Sunday, December 10, 2023

J is for Judy by John Robert Allman and Peter Emmerich - OPTIONAL

J is for Judy: Classic Hollywood's Leading Ladies from A to Z by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Peter Emmerich
PICTURE BOOK Doubleday (Random House), 2023. $19. 9780593565186 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), ADULT - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Allman introduces readers to the biggest stars of classic Hollywood including Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. In most cases, G is for Ginger (Rogers) first names, but in some cases, C is for Crawford, (Joan) or there are even nods to famous roles - Greta Garbo is under Q for Queen Christina and Grace Kelly is under P because she became Princess Grace. X was creative, enabling Allman to highlight 6 female eXperts in the motion picture industry. 

Nostalgic and I loved it, however . . . most (probably all, I'm being nice) of these women are from a bygone era. I loved them all and that made me super weird in junior high. I can't think that many school-aged readers could even relate. My mother would have loved to look through this cute ABC book 20 years ago. Allman's Broadway picture books have a mix of classic stars along with current celebrities and they are much more relevant. I'm disappointed that J is for Judy doesn't have a greater appeal.

Lisa Librarian

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