The Vanities [Hardcover]

Terence Lawlor (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

The Cinderella legend takes a star turn in this imaginative and contemporary retelling of the familiar tale. Giselle is a savvy and stylish young woman with an unsurpassed talent for hairstyling. Orphaned in childhood, she has since been confined to the shadows of the palace by Carlotta, Delight, and Wilhelmina, three of the most narcissistic and vain denizens of the court. When the town ruler decides to end his reign, he proclaims a grand ball, where the citizen with the most amazing coiffure will be awarded the crown. The three divas squabble to have Giselle execute their creations, but when the contest day arrives, her masterpiece is concealed by a voluminous hood. In a stunning upset, she takes a stand against useless vanity and demonstrates to the townspeople that a true leader must never be victim to fashion. With one bold move Giselle changes her lot in life and transforms the very roots of society. The exquisite collages and extravagant gatefold pages in this volume will captivate readers of all ages while clever rhyming verses celebrate the power of being genuine.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The fantastically coiffed courtier on the cover of this debut gives a whiff of the luxury that waits within. Lawlor, an advertising art designer, makes dazzling collages in which louche, seductive figures materialize out of meticulously cut photos of silks, gems and flowers, their do's whipped up out of sequins or pinecones and berries. His breathless retelling of Cinderella features three fashion-plate sisters who lord it over their foundling servant, Giselle, a genius of a hairdresser. Giselle has the last laugh, however, when she wins the crown of the kingdom by revealing that fabulous hair is not as important as good judgment. Lawlor undermines his claim, though, by lavishing most of his artistic energy on the court and its excesses. Although the text is sub-par (A talent so rare they had all to their own / a girl named Giselle was locked up in their home), this innovative hybrid—equal parts picture book and fashion magazine, with a dash of graphic novel—will attract as many adult fashionistas as younger readers. Ages 9–up. (June)
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From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up—Employing elements from "Cinderella," Lawlor's "fairy tale for all ages" will hold particular appeal for fashionistas and hair stylists. In a kingdom where "dos' [have] become so political and take the place of issues more critical," three conniving divas are frequent winners in the hair competitions, thanks to the talents of their orphaned servant, Giselle. Then the ruler raises the stakes, offering his crown as the prize in the ultimate contest. Lawlor's background in fashion illustration is showcased in the gatefolds and spreads that depict a continuous parade of characters created with over-the-top collages. The locks of a fur-draped Bavarian gent are adorned with pinecones, antlers, and a birdhouse. An ebony figure clad in leopard skin displays a carved elephant, recycled metal toys, and gourds amid his tresses. The heroine sports spunky ponytails while working, but on the big day her original (hairless) look sets her apart, winning the king's admiration. The thin plot, forced rhymes, and not-so-subtle message are problematic, but anyone attracted to the Arcimboldo-inspired images is likely to keep paging for sheer sensory stimulation. The exotic upsweeps rest atop Picassoesque faces, which are connected to sophisticated and, occasionally, slightly suggestive costumes. The visual extravagance is presented against uncluttered gilt, cream, or red surfaces. For graduates of Deborah Nourse Lattimore's The Lady with the Ship on Her Head (Harcourt, 1990), this picture book for older readers will confound catalogers, who will wonder where to shelve it. Perhaps, for budding designers, near old magazines-with scissors and glue?—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 62 pages
• Publisher: Prydwen Press (May 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977997103
• ISBN-13: 978-0977997107
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 11.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Fashion

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A piece of Art not only for children, July 16, 2008

By 

Nicolaas Renting - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Vanities (Hardcover)

What a visual treat! A simply told tale with a moral message to all of us. Quite a rarity in this day and age of commercial authors. But to find a book with an artist as an author is certainly to be commended. I loved it from the delicately bound cover to the last finishing pages, certainly the author has put alot of love into this tome. But,I guess what amazed me the most was the immensity of this project. As, he comments "Just glue and scissors." just like the old fashioned way, no digital workings. When I found out each of these pages are almost lifesize works as well, Gobsmacked for sure. This is certainly a book for all artists or collage aficionados , young and old alike. Treasure it! Check out his website!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, inspirational and pure whimsy, November 16, 2008

By 

D. Campbell "debdc" (Pflugerville, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Vanities (Hardcover)

I saw this book at the Kimbell Art Museum bookstore in Fort Worth,TX, and couldn't get it off my mind. It's my new favorite coffee table book, and I never tire of the beautiful collage art in the illustrations. The fairy tale that accompanies the pictures adds a narrative for this visual feast.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHO SAYS YOU ARE NOT YOUR HAIR?, October 28, 2008

By 

Alice Simpson "BOOKS & CLAY" (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Vanities (Hardcover)

If you are a grown-up or just think you are, "The Vanities" is a delightful fairy tale for you. Terrence Lawlor has cut and pasted together all things beautiful, strange and colorful to create this wicked story of three vain sisters and their "dos."

Lawlor's collaged illustrations are a delight and you'll find yourself oohing and ahhing as you recognize pots, scissors, cups, ships, cakes, baubles, flowers and fruits that play hide and seek on every beautifully composed page. The sisters, Carlotta, Whilhelmina and Delight, have true fashion attitude. I bought three, two for gifts and one for me!