Just Being Jackie

by Margaret Cardillo, Julia Denos (Illustrator)

Overview

A stunning and inspirational nonfiction picture book about the life and style of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis from Margaret Cardillo and Julia Denos, the team that created Just Being Audrey. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Jackie Kennedy was an American icon of style and grace—but there was steel under that style. Her poise under fire, intelligence, and tireless work as First Lady earned her the respect of leaders worldwide and made her beloved by generations.

Jackie’s legacy also extended beyond her time in public life. She was a talented journalist, a preservationist who secured the legacy of national landmarks, and an editor of award-winning books.

The creators of Just Being Audrey have brought us another insightful, dazzling book about the real woman behind the famous name, who was so much more than first appearances.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062485021
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/01/2018
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,043,585
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Margaret Cardillo is a children’s book author, a screenwriter, and a professor. She’s the author of the award-winning picture book biographies Just Being Audrey and Just Being Jackie. A native of Naples, Florida, she holds degrees from Boston College and the University of Miami, where she now teaches screenwriting. She lives in Miami with her family, including Zampano, her rescue dog. She believes they are soul mates. (Her husband understands.) You can visit her online at www.margaretcardillo.com.

Julia Denos is the author-illustrator of Swatch: The Girl Who Loved Color and the illustrator of several children’s books, including Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo, I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn, Dotty by Erica S. Perl, Grandma’s Gloves by Cecil Castellucci, and Letters to Leo by Amy Hest. Julia currently lives in Boston. You can visit her online at www.juliadenos.com.

Editorial Reviews

05/07/2018
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)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for JUST BEING AUDREY: “Denos’ soft pastel illustrations cut just the right Audrey outline (complete with flapping neck scarf), and fans will especially enjoy picking out the movie roles depicted in a two-page spread of costumes.” — Booklist

Praise for JUST BEING AUDREY: “Audrey Hepburn proves as irresistible a character in the pages of a children’s book as she is in those soigné roles of the silver screen.” — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Praise for JUST BEING AUDREY: “Denos’ soft pastel illustrations cut just the right Audrey outline (complete with flapping neck scarf), and fans will especially enjoy picking out the movie roles depicted in a two-page spread of costumes.

Booklist

Praise for JUST BEING AUDREY: “Denos’ soft pastel illustrations cut just the right Audrey outline (complete with flapping neck scarf), and fans will especially enjoy picking out the movie roles depicted in a two-page spread of costumes.

Booklist

2018-02-13
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)

Kirkus Reviews