I'm so thrilled to be sharing our DRESSING UP THE STARS - The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head during Academy Award Oscar month!
Here's more of the inside scoop:
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Barnes & Noble at the Grove at Farmers Market
- Feb 25, 2023
Updated: Feb 26, 2023
The True Story of Annette Kellerman,
World-Class Swimmer, Fashion Pioneer,
and Real-Life Mermaid
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Beach Lane Books
(Simon & Schuster)
(pub.9.13.2022) 40 pages
Author and illustrator: Katie Mazeika
Character: Annette Kellerman
Overview:
" Annette loved to dance and twirl and pirouette. But when she got sick and had to start wearing braces on her legs, Annette stopped dancing. Until, one day, her dad took her swimming. Annette could finally dance again—in the water! She water danced her way to England, where she performed water ballets, attempted daring dives, and competed in swim races. When she competed against men (and won!), she realized it wasn’t fair that women had to swim in full skirts, so she made her own swimsuit, and fought for the right to wear it.
Experience the journey of an independent and determined young woman, who swam, danced, dove, and designed so she could live her life feeling free."
Tantalizing taste:
" Annette dove into a glass tank at the London Hippodrome in front of hundreds of people. Then she danced in the water. The crowds were astounded. The press dubbed her 'The Diving Venus,' after the Roman goddess who was believed to have risen from the sea."
And something more: Katie Mazeika in the Author's Note writes: "I wouldn't be who I am, nor would I likely be doing this job today, if I hadn't gotten sick decades ago. Had Annette never gotten sick, it's likely that she never would have learned to swim. Through swimming, Annette not only found something she excelled at but she found her voice and her passion, both of which she used to make positive changes in her life and in the lives of countless others."
- Feb 15, 2023
The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul R. Williams
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Alfred A. Knopf
(pub.9.27.2022) 48 pages
Author: Andrea J. Loney
Illustrator:Keith Mallett
Character: Paul R. Williams
Overview:
" As an orphaned Black boy growing up in America in the early 1900s, Paul R. Williams became obsessed by the concept of 'home.' He not only dreamed of building his own home, he turned his dreams into drawings. Defying the odds and breaking down the wall of racism, Williams was able to curve around the obstacles in his way to become a world-renowned architect. He designed homes for the biggest celebrities of the day, such as Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, and created a number of buildings in Los Angeles that are now considered landmarks."
Tantalizing taste:
"The Beverly Hills Hotel even hires Paul to redesign the Polo Lounge and the Fountain Coffee Room. Once the paint dries, Paul could marvel at his signature achievement - the building sign is even printed in his own distinctive handwriting. But could Paul stop by for a milkshake with Della or their daughters?
No.
Once again, Paul can enter the building as the architect, but not as a Black person.
No matter how high Paul rises, the stone wall of racism grinds against his face."
And something more: Andrea J. Loney, in the Author's Note explains: "While researching this book, I checked the history of our own home, built in 1924 in the L.A. County city of Inglewood. The original deed says only 'Caucasians,' or white people, can live here. So back then, I wouldn't have been allowed to sit at this desk, where I'm writing these words right now, simply because I'm a Black person. What a chilling thought!
... Of course, Paul R. William was keenly aware of these injustices. But he loved his work. He loved seeing his dreams come true. And when racism blocked his path, he found ingenious ways to curve and flow around it as he focused on this goal of making a better Los Angeles for everyone."
