What's inside Aunt Jo's treasure chest? That's what Ava wants to know. Then, one night, Aunt Jo hands her the key...and the two take a magical journey back in time to visit three daring, gifted, and visionary Black fashion designers: Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave who became one of the most celebrated designers of her time and personal friend of Mary Todd Lincoln; Ann Cole Lowe, a designer for Jackie Kennedy; and Mildred Blount, milliner to the stars! The bold achievements of these inspiring women of history are celebrated in this fashion fairy tale that spotlights iconic style moments...and sparks a child's imagination.
"A speculative framework allows for an introduction to three Black fashion mavens-seamstress and author Elizabeth Keckley (1818-1907), designer Ann Cole Lowe (1898-1981), and milliner Mildred Blount (1907-1974)-as a Black child, Ava, moves through time with her aunt Jo, a "collector, adventurer, and world traveler." Opening a wooden chest, Aunt Jo pulls out a quilt crafted from Keckley's gowns, a dress made by Lowe, and a hat created by Blount, heading with her niece to scenes from their lives as Burke's didactic prose provides biographical information: "Like Elizabeth Keckley, Ann Cole Lowe designed gowns for famous and wealthy women." Crumpton offers boldly colored, digitally airbrushed illustrations, featuring figures of varying skin tones in this educational primer centering fashion. Ages 4-7. (Feb.)"
