I Am Famous

March 1, 2018

PreS-K-Kiely, a curly haired, dark-skinned preschooler, is certain that she is famous. She sings, dances, and acts for her adoring fans (her parents). They take pictures and videos and post them on social media. Her father plays make-believe with her; he is her loyal subject. Her mother is her chef, chauffeur, and housekeeper. Even Grandma plays a role in Kiely's presumed diva status by sending her granddaughter letters, obviously fan mail. Kiely's fame culminates with a performance at Grandpa's birthday party. When things don't go quite as planned, Kiely learns that family and friends are fans no matter what. Kiely is clearly an adored only child. Bright digital illustrations depict her posing in various self-chosen outfits while her loving family encourages and in some cases, humors her. VERDICT A fun read for fans of dress up and readers with a flair for the dramatic.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2018
Move over, Eloise, Fancy Nancy, and Olivia; this curly-haired, brown-skinned protagonist has miles of flair and knows how to use it. This braggadocious protagonist declares that she's been famous as long as she can remember. And she has. Or at least her parents treat her as though she has. While the illustrations show her being a typical kid--making a mess eating spaghetti as a toddler and later donning grown-up dress-up clothes--the text tells of her being catered to at every turn. Her family (the paparazzi) record her constantly, post movies of her that go viral, and treat her like royalty for mediocre performances. The color-filled, energetic art and excellent use of white space illustrate well that what the protagonist says is true: Lew-Vriethoff paints her 38 times in this 32-page book! In the end, the message prevails that her family loves her unconditionally. But this hyperbolic picture book also illustrates how easy it is for 21st-century kids to develop an inflated sense of self and feel entitled to rewards they haven't earned. Tongue-in-cheek and humorous, this commentary that's spot-on for kids growing up in a digital age will entertain children while giving their parents some apt food for thought.Glamour, attitude, bucketloads of confidence, and a hefty dose of narcissism all rolled into the big personality of one memorable little girl. (Picture book. 3-7)

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