Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation

Gr 5–8—Each of the subjects profiled is a pioneer in mainstreaming an element of fashion now common but once unusual or even controversial. Each brief book is packed with often fascinating information. For example, miniskirt popularizer Mary Quant studied art education and began her career as an apprentice hat maker. Eddie Bauer got the idea for a down jacket from an uncle who had served in the Russian army. The design is colorful and eye-catching, including many illustrative photographs, both historical and stock. Brief "Fashion Factoid" sidebars offer inessential but informative facts, such as that Converse All Stars were available only in black or white until the 1960s. A "Fashion Time Machine" feature situates each clothing article in a historical context. No sources are listed, though a reference is provided to the publisher's website for curated links.