André: André Leon Talley―A Fabulously Fashionable Fairy Tale

by Carole Boston Weatherford, Rob Sanders, Lamont O'Neal (Illustrator)

This captivating biography chronicles the remarkable journey of fashion legend André Leon Talley–from humble beginnings in rural North Carolina to the pinnacle of the international world of fashion.

Growing up in the Jim Crow South wasn't easy for young André. He escaped into the glimmering worlds he discovered inside magazines like Ebony and Vogue. He fell in love with all things French, and honed his taste for elegance and style in spite of those who judged and bullied him. Standing tall against all odds, André spun his hardships into a fashion fairytale of his own making.

With exuberant prose and luminous illustrations, this picture book biography shares the inspiring story of majestic icon André Leon Talley and his enduring legacy.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, LGBT, Fashion, Childrens, Juvenile

56 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Carole Boston Weatherford is a children's book author and poet who mines the past for family stories, traditions, and struggles. A number of CAROLE's books tell the stories of African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, and Billie Holiday. Other books recount historical events such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. CAROLE's books have received a wide variety of awards, including a Caldecott Honour for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom”.

Reviews

[Star Forbis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Church was Andere's first Fashion Show."

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely could not love this more. You don't have to be a fashion head to be inspired by this man's life, raised in Durham NC by his grandmother, enduring Jim Crow racism and childhood sexual abuse, bullied for being gay, being Black, standing out in every crowd, but always working, refining himself, looking for opportunities, and realizing every goal. But fashion fans will definitely get a thrill from the exceptional illustrations of beautiful and wild clothes and style.

Carole Boston Weatherford is the PERFECT person to have written this biography - she showed up to recieve her ALA Legacy award last Sunday night in a lipstick red cutaway flamenco skirt, her hair poofed out and glorious. She has written about artists of every ilk, from Billie Holiday to Gordon Parks to Mavis Staples - but I feel like she has been waiting for this one.

[H]

I wish this had more explicitly mentioned his queerness and his larger body towards the end of his life — both are essential to understanding how Andre experienced the world. I think you could make it work in a kid’s book.

I did like that they mentioned he was sexually abused (not sure how else to phrase—I mean, that I appreciated that they didn’t shy away from an awful truth). I also loved the sentence “André made space for others, even though few made space for him.” So true.

I guess I left the book feeling a bit sad cause I remember how his life ended in poverty and ill health and it just makes me sad to have seen a light like that be extinguished. which of course is not any fault of these authors, but of life‘s unfairness. No wonder André was so enamored of fairy tales.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another word beginning with the letter F could be added to the subtitle of this juvenile biography: flamboyant. That was certainly Andre's style. His fashion was definitely over-the-top, certainly in the clothes he chose for himself. He was a stylist for many rich and famous people as well as being a fashion journalist, especially for Vogue magazine. Some people may know him from America's Next Top Model. The book includes a list of sources, a short fashion glossary, a list of influencers and influences and a list of quotes. The illustrations are very bright and colorful. Young children, especially African-American boys will find inspiration in Andre's story that they can be what they wish to be and achieve great things.

[Syntaxx · Rating 2 out of 5]

i did not like how this was written. for example, the use of the phrase "kept the wolf from the door", etc. could be confusing for younger readers. i did enjoy the illustrations, qoutes from André himself, and the story about Mama's love for her grandson. i learned from this book. recommend it for middle-school readers.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal picture book biography of Andre Leon Talley, the first Black man to lead Vogue Magazine, among many, many, many other firsts. I had never heard of him before and I learned a lot about his childhood and the struggles he went through and the accomplishments he was able to make! Highly recommended!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've grown up seeing Andre Leon Talley across my TV screen. Though I knew his name was big in the fashion industry, I knew nothing of his origins and his journey to Vogue. This provided some insightful information and pushed me to put his autobiography on hold. Carole Boston Weatherford never fails me as an author!

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally illustrated!!! A beautiful story of the hardships and ultimate overcomings of fashion icon and gifted creative genius André Leon Talley (October 16, 1948 – January 18, 2022). Loved it!

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES! Finally!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4

2026 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cool but limited appeal.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable achiever!
Four pages of back-matter.