Juno Valentine and the fantastic fashion adventure by Eva Chen

Illus. by Derek Desierto . Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781250297303.
Juno Valentine and the Fantastic Fashion Adventure is a picture book that has been written to address some of the issues of the day e.g. promoting "Girl power". Specifically for girls and particularly American girls, it describes the adventures of Juno Valentine, a small girl who finds self-expression through fashion, with the help of some famous women.
The collage inspired illustrations express happiness and buoyancy, promote the obligatory multicultural cast of characters and include a focus on fashion items and textile patterns.
As Juno progresses through a time warp type of adventure, she receives wardrobe help from women through time from Joan of Arc through to Michelle Obama. At the end of the book there is a glossary on these women.
This book would appeal to young girls who derive identity from clothes. Other important values that create a solid sense of self are not evident. The cast of women role models is particularly American.
Juno Valentine and the Fantastic Fashion Adventure is mildly entertaining. It would be most appreciated by young American girls who are interested in consumerism and fashion as self-expression.
Wendy Jeffrey