I remember fondly thinking how cool it would be to get books for free in exchange for reviewing them.  I have had the pleasure of reviewing some good books, a few of which I've included on this blog.  But in the most recent batch of books there lurked a picture book that I dislike so much I'm recommending everyone AVOID IT.  This won't be hard, as it's not a well-known title.  But, it serves as an example of how even the sacred ground of children's literature is being polluted by marketing and commercialism.  It's a children's book hatched by Saks Fifth Avenue and HarperCollins. 

I could use this space to rant about the fact that the book is geared toward the White and Wealthy eschelons of New York society and encourages consumerism in the most exclusive arena: haute couture.  Is this really what we want kids to aspire to??  I could decry "product placement" in everything from movies to Saturday morning cartoons, and now, picture books.  Instead, I will provide a link to an excellent article here and the review I'm sending to Children's Literature below.   And to think the publishing industry tells everyone, "no talking animal stories."  Ha.  This is a perfect example of why they should practice what they preach.

Cashmere If You Can

Wawa Hohhot as told to Terron Schaefer

Illustrations by Christopher Corr

            Wawa Hohhot is a Cashmere goat from Mongolia who makes it big in the Big Apple after Mr. Saks invites her to be in his upcoming Wild About Cashmere fashion show.  As her family explores New York City, Wawa experiences Saks Fifth Avenue.  She’s whisked through the shoe department, undergoes a hair transformation in the famous Red Door Salon, then makes her way through the perfume department and make-up counter.  Finally, Wawa struts her stuff at the fashion show on the roof of Saks, where her true identity is revealed in a moment of goatly weakness.  Fortunately for Wawa, famous fashion designers Jean Paul Goatier and Yves Saint Bernard announce their animal natures in a show of solidarity, and the rest is fashion history.  Christopher Corr’s bright and busy illustrations convey the energy of The Big Apple.  The details, fascinating yet small, make the book better suited for viewing in groups of two to three than as a story time read-aloud.  Clearly, this is not a traditional children’s picture book, and readers might question the appropriateness of humor geared toward grown-ups, for example, a cab driver with an unpronounceable ethnic name who overcharges for a cab ride from the airport, references to knockoffs lacking taste, and even an appearance by The Naked Cowboy.  The adult subject matter, namely haute couture and its pricey fabric, led to the discovery that the book is a collaboration between Saks Fifth Avenue and HarperCollins, with Senior Vice President of Marketing at Saks, Terron Schaefer, receiving the “as told to” credit for envisioning this marketing strategy for their chainwide holiday promotion of cashmere.  While this book may appeal to aspiring models and young fashionistas, only small segment of the school-age population will find this book accessible. 

BIBLIO: 2005, HarperCollins Publishers/HarperCollins Children’s Books, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99.

REVIEWER: Keri Collins

FORMAT: Picture Book

ISBN: 0-06-089632-9

ISBN: 978-0-06-089632-4