Who hasn't dreamed about springtime in Paris? I'm not sure spring is actually a good time to go anywhere, other than Hawaii, but let's nevermind that. I am SO delighted to show you
'Kiki & Coco in Paris' by Nina Gruener, Stephanie Rausser and Jess Brown. I ordered it from the library, hoping it would deliver on the cuteness apparent on the cover, and holy croissant! It did. (sorry for that. i don't know why i insist on punishing you all this way with my writing.)
A little girl and her best friend/dolly take a trip to Paris and have Ever So Many Delightful Adventures, of the kind that only a little girl and her dolly can fully appreciate.
They have tea parties. They have bubble baths. They go and get their hair cut in a Parisian hair salon. They ride a carousel and explore museums. They see the Eiffel Tower.
They visit "REAL PALACES".
Can you imagine how thrilling for a 7 or 8 or 9 year old girl? That special age between preschool and kindergarten-land and being-just-too-bored-and-over-it-to-care?
The photography is just insanely gorgeous. So vibrant and really perfectly captures the joy and love of young girl and her most special doll, in one of the most beautiful cities of the world. To more fully showcase the exquisite photos, the book is nicely oversized.
I can't imagine any girl from ages 4 on up through 8 not just LOVING this one! (Coco is lost briefly, but never fear! She is found and mended ~ a fluffy doggy carries her around a bit.)
And guess what ~ you can actually get a
Coco doll, made by Jess Brown! (she made the original doll.) They aren't cheap, my friends, but totally handmade by Jess and Coco is just absolutely gorgeous, don't you think? Heirloom quality!
It honestly never occurred to me to think about a trip to Paris centered around what would be pleasing to a smallish child, but just imagine la magnifique of it all! A boat ride down the Seine River. The TREATS. The CAROUSELS. (Look here for a
great post about carousels in Paris.)
I would have LOVED this (I have four sons, they might like it, but I don't know if they would LOVE it - I will try and make them though, if my library can get a copy) as a little girl. Sort of reminds me of those books about the little gymnast, little ballet dancer etc. Remember them? So sweet, thanks! ps she looks just like Macauley Culkin in that haircut photo, dosent she?
ReplyDeleteI had the ballet book! I loved it. i read it over and over. New York City sounded like a place across the universe to a little girl living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean :)
DeleteWhat a dreamy book! Very original concept! I wonder if there are other books like that (of children visiting other cities)? I wished I could be that little girl LOL
ReplyDeleteooh now I wonder that too! off to investigate!
DeleteI love it! I want to take that trip!!
ReplyDeleteME TOO :)
DeleteSeriously adorable. I want a Coco doll.
ReplyDeleteMy friend Stephanie from the blog Millefeuilles makes creations like that, have you seen her blog? You should check it out, the things she makes are seriously amazing.
DeleteWow! People do that? Go on exotic trips when they are 8 or 9? Actually I have a friend (my neighbor growing up) who now gots lottsa money... anyways shes always taking her children on exotic trips and intsagramming them. And it feels so far from my reality. BUT- yes this book looks really delightful and yes, it's fun to think about and imagine. And the doll is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteOh I have a friend who took their 3 year old to Italy! They had a lovely time. They love to travel and they basically spend no $ ever, just save for their travel b/c they love it so much! I know so many people who just seem to make travel happen, it always amazes and impresses me. I'm so not that way.
DeleteI have been wanting this book so badly. Our library doesn't have it, but with my oldest's obsession with wanting to go to Paris, I figure we should own it. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe were thinking, when the girls are a bit over, to forego any presents of any kind as a family for a year, in order to save for a trip to Europe someday.
it's so great, D. Now that I've seen it in person, I want to own it too. i'll be sad when it has to go back to the library. it's the kind of book you just want to look at over and over, you know?
DeleteJulia wants us all to go to Paris someday when she knows French better and she says that she will do all of the talking for us. :)
what?! I am in love with this!!!!! Juliet would flip out over this. Oh my. Just amazing. And that doll.....wow. :) You find the best stuff!!
ReplyDeleteOh yay!!! I'm so glad you like!! I never ever tire of trying to find wonderful books. Happily, there are so many out there waiting to be found!
Deleteordered. i gets shit taken care of.
ReplyDeleteyeah you do!! so awesome. i'm getting it too. the text is pretty simple for the ages of our kiddos, but the photos are so fabulous, you just want to keep looking through all the pix :)
DeleteMelissa. This is gold dust.
ReplyDeleteIf ever I have a daughter I want the book and the doll for her.
Hamilton, you are going to be the most well prepared dad EVER! You're gonna know every good book there is!! Fabulous!
DeleteThe photos make me feel happy and sophisticated (I'm so not) at the same time! Just adorable!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sophisticated most definitely, but I can pretend to be a fancy french lady in my mind...:)
DeleteI'm a little late joining this Paris/Girl/Doll party but I just wanted to comment on how awesome the book looks - (I think I'm going to make a similar doll right this very minute) and that my eldest daughter spent four years of her young life in Paris (her school was near Notre Dame) and she loved it. Paris is totally fabulous and spring is the perfect time to go.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are well and very very happy.
Love,
stephanie
we're very well Miss Stephanie, as we are finally over our colds. I can't wait to see what enchantment you are working on next!!! xoxo
DeleteI'm freaking out over this book, Melissa! How adorable!!!! One of my storytimers recently went to Paris for spring break and is now infatuated with the place. Can't wait to order this book for her. Great review (as always!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca! It was such a fun surprise, the awesome-ness of this book :) xoxo
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