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Fashion Kitty #3
Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero
Fashion Kitty is experiencing a bit of a slump. Lately, there haven't been as many fashion emergencies to solve. But when the principal of her school makes a new rule that everyone has to wear boring school unforms, Fashion Kitty can finally be able to put her fashion talents to use. But what if some kitties don't want her help? And who is the bad kitty who has been leaving gum under the principal's chair? Fashion Kitty learns that it can be the unlikliest of kitties who can teach the most important fashion lessons.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2008
6 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 22, 2018
I could really relate to this Fashion Kitty episode. Having worked in administration at a school that required uniforms, I can certainly understand the conflict. Fashion Kitty was fortunate their shoes were not also put under code. Loved the way Fashion Kitty adapts to the lack of fashion emergencies among the students and helps June with her fashion newsletter about the teachers. Then there's Becky and her mysterious flip flops -- why does she spend so much time near Mrs. Rumple's office? Zack is a welcome addition to Kiki's friend circle, too.
January 29, 2024
it turns out I didn't actually read this before. oops. anyway.
as someone who grew up wearing uniforms to school, i can't help but find myself agreeing with Mrs Rumple and it kinda makes this whole story be much ado about something that actually makes sense when you think about it. just let everyone wear uniforms since people are bound to be in whatever they want to wear afterwards every day after whatever it is they had to wear uniforms for.
as someone who grew up wearing uniforms to school, i can't help but find myself agreeing with Mrs Rumple and it kinda makes this whole story be much ado about something that actually makes sense when you think about it. just let everyone wear uniforms since people are bound to be in whatever they want to wear afterwards every day after whatever it is they had to wear uniforms for.
November 8, 2018
this book was the best and i do not like books but this book was amazing it popt to me.And so much detal .Lots of drame.
May 17, 2019
there's no point in his book but i love it!!!
December 31, 2016
This review covers the first three books of the Fashion Kitty series.
Though I love Charise Mericle Harper, it took me a long time to get around to reading Fashion Kitty. I love the Just Grace series and her picture book, Cupcake, so it really was just a matter of time, but since I am neither a fashionista nor a cat lady, a book combining those two themes didn't necessarily strike me as a good fit. Finally, though, all three volumes - Fashion Kitty (2005), Fashion Kitty Versus the Fashion Queen(2007), and Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero (2008) - were sitting on my library shelf one day, and I decided it was time. I snatched them all up, took them home, and read them one right after the other.
The Fashion Kitty books are graphic novels, drawn to look girly. The covers sparkle with glitter, and the illustrations are colored with pink, purple, and gray ink. Fashion Kitty herself wears pink and purple, as does her alter ago, Kiki Kittie, and Kiki's sister, Lana.
Kiki Kittie becomes Fashion Kitty for the first time on her birthday. She makes a wish, and subsequently gets smacked in the head with a pile of fashion magazines. From then on, either from the wish, or the blow to the head, or both, whenever a fashion faux pas is committed in her town, Kiki turns into Fashion Kitty and flies off to save the day. (She has no control over when this might happen, but it often occurs at dinner time, much to her mother's dismay.)
Fashion Kitty's powers are as follows:
Brain that can mix and match hundreds of outfits in a second
Ears that hear the distress call of someone in need of fashion help
X-ray eyes that can see through buildings or anything else that's in the way
Heart, mostly good
Tail of comfort. One touch of the tail makes everything seem all right.
Supersonic feet that make Fashion Kitty really bounce (p.36)
Fashion Kitty is really popular and famous, but she has a nemesis or two. In Fashion Kitty Versus the Fashion Queen, she must deal with a new girl in town who has banned all the girls from wearing the color pink. In Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero, the principal of Kiki's own school is on anti-fashion rampage and forces all the students to wear uniforms. Fashion Kitty has to work hard to fight for fashion and earn back her friends' rights to dress how they want.
Kiki Kittie is a vegetarian, and so are all her family members. This means that, while other cats eat mice, they actually have a secret pet named Mousie. They are also unusual in that both girls, Kiki and Lana, are permitted to dress in whatever funky styles they want, and their parents encourage it. Lana is also just a really great four-year-old character. She's not jealous that she's not Fashion Kitty, she just wishes Kiki could stay Fashion Kitty long enough to play with her when she gets home from a mission.
Overall, I have to say, these books are a lot of fun. They are not just watered down versions of stereotypically masculine superhero stories. They celebrate all that is fun about being female, and put a unique and creative twist on the superhero genre. I did notice a lot of similarities between Grace from the Just Grace series and Fashion Kitty - both are strongly empathetic, and both are hugely optimistic, and always try to look toward the positive - but while Grace is bound by the rules of reality, Fashion Kitty gets to play with those boundaries a bit more, pushing them to their limits and saving the world, in her own way, one fashion disaster at a time.
An excellent series for third and fourth grade girls.
Though I love Charise Mericle Harper, it took me a long time to get around to reading Fashion Kitty. I love the Just Grace series and her picture book, Cupcake, so it really was just a matter of time, but since I am neither a fashionista nor a cat lady, a book combining those two themes didn't necessarily strike me as a good fit. Finally, though, all three volumes - Fashion Kitty (2005), Fashion Kitty Versus the Fashion Queen(2007), and Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero (2008) - were sitting on my library shelf one day, and I decided it was time. I snatched them all up, took them home, and read them one right after the other.
The Fashion Kitty books are graphic novels, drawn to look girly. The covers sparkle with glitter, and the illustrations are colored with pink, purple, and gray ink. Fashion Kitty herself wears pink and purple, as does her alter ago, Kiki Kittie, and Kiki's sister, Lana.
Kiki Kittie becomes Fashion Kitty for the first time on her birthday. She makes a wish, and subsequently gets smacked in the head with a pile of fashion magazines. From then on, either from the wish, or the blow to the head, or both, whenever a fashion faux pas is committed in her town, Kiki turns into Fashion Kitty and flies off to save the day. (She has no control over when this might happen, but it often occurs at dinner time, much to her mother's dismay.)
Fashion Kitty's powers are as follows:
Brain that can mix and match hundreds of outfits in a second
Ears that hear the distress call of someone in need of fashion help
X-ray eyes that can see through buildings or anything else that's in the way
Heart, mostly good
Tail of comfort. One touch of the tail makes everything seem all right.
Supersonic feet that make Fashion Kitty really bounce (p.36)
Fashion Kitty is really popular and famous, but she has a nemesis or two. In Fashion Kitty Versus the Fashion Queen, she must deal with a new girl in town who has banned all the girls from wearing the color pink. In Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero, the principal of Kiki's own school is on anti-fashion rampage and forces all the students to wear uniforms. Fashion Kitty has to work hard to fight for fashion and earn back her friends' rights to dress how they want.
Kiki Kittie is a vegetarian, and so are all her family members. This means that, while other cats eat mice, they actually have a secret pet named Mousie. They are also unusual in that both girls, Kiki and Lana, are permitted to dress in whatever funky styles they want, and their parents encourage it. Lana is also just a really great four-year-old character. She's not jealous that she's not Fashion Kitty, she just wishes Kiki could stay Fashion Kitty long enough to play with her when she gets home from a mission.
Overall, I have to say, these books are a lot of fun. They are not just watered down versions of stereotypically masculine superhero stories. They celebrate all that is fun about being female, and put a unique and creative twist on the superhero genre. I did notice a lot of similarities between Grace from the Just Grace series and Fashion Kitty - both are strongly empathetic, and both are hugely optimistic, and always try to look toward the positive - but while Grace is bound by the rules of reality, Fashion Kitty gets to play with those boundaries a bit more, pushing them to their limits and saving the world, in her own way, one fashion disaster at a time.
An excellent series for third and fourth grade girls.
April 29, 2012
For girls who LOVE fashion. Fashion Kitty is the secret identity of Kiki Kitty. Whenever someone find herself facing a fashion emergency Fashion Kitty flies off to offer helpful fashion advice. When Mrs. Rumple, the principal at Kiki's school, makes all the students wear uniforms so they will focus more attention on learning than fashion, all the kitties feel like Fashion Kitty abandoned them. When Kiki responds to a fashion emergency and the kitty in crisis politely declines Fashion Kitty's advice Kiki finds herself caught up in a mystery. Who is the kitty in flip flops and socks? Why does she walk back and forth in front of Mrs. Rumple's office everyday during lunch? And what's in the envelope she slides under Mrs. Rumple's door? All ends well when Mrs. Rumple receives a visit from Fashion Kitty and the two work on building the confidence necessary for Mrs. Rumple to step out of her same old same old blue suits into a new shade of blue.
There was some fun materials at the end of the book (more fun if it's a personal copy rather than a library book). Materials include a fashion-themed cootie catcher, paper dolls and clothes, and a Fashion Kitty drawing lesson. This comic stands out because of it's subject matter and I do think girly girls will eat this up, but I wanted something with a little more depth. Fashion doesn't have to be fluffy. If Fashion Kitty incorporated some fashion history rather than just timely trends into her advice I might've rated this a little higher.
There was some fun materials at the end of the book (more fun if it's a personal copy rather than a library book). Materials include a fashion-themed cootie catcher, paper dolls and clothes, and a Fashion Kitty drawing lesson. This comic stands out because of it's subject matter and I do think girly girls will eat this up, but I wanted something with a little more depth. Fashion doesn't have to be fluffy. If Fashion Kitty incorporated some fashion history rather than just timely trends into her advice I might've rated this a little higher.
October 24, 2009
Kiki the cat is a super hero. Whenever there is a fashion disaster she turns into Fashion Kitty, has the ability to fly and can fix any fashion blunder. Her school changes policy and everyone must start wearing uniforms, what a tragedy! But is it? Fashion Kitty doesn't receive any calls. There is something bigger afoot here and maybe you don't have to be a super hero to be a hero. This was a cute little girly-girl story that I'm sure the intended audience will love. It pretty much reads like a cartoon show episode with a few good lessons thrown in. The artwork is simplistic, drawn with the basic shapes. It is the type that children will be able to sit down and copy their favourite characters and in fact there is a Fashion Kitty drawing lesson at the back of the book. The book is mostly what I call fluff, cute fluff though, and little girls with a flare for fashion will certainly enjoy Fashion Kitty.
April 29, 2018
I read this to my 6 year old niece and she "loved fashion kitty" . So, there's her opinion.
I, however, didn't love it so much. There were a bunch of details that I couldn't understand why they were there (the whole thing about the mouse, cheese, and them being vegetarians? The tension between her and her "boy friend"?). Also, I just don't like the idea of there being certain "fashion rules" that people have to follow - Fashion Kitty's entire thing. It was a cute read for my 6 year old, and the 9 year old was interested in it too, so it's capturing its intended audience. I won't be encouraging them to pick out more from this series, however.
I, however, didn't love it so much. There were a bunch of details that I couldn't understand why they were there (the whole thing about the mouse, cheese, and them being vegetarians? The tension between her and her "boy friend"?). Also, I just don't like the idea of there being certain "fashion rules" that people have to follow - Fashion Kitty's entire thing. It was a cute read for my 6 year old, and the 9 year old was interested in it too, so it's capturing its intended audience. I won't be encouraging them to pick out more from this series, however.
July 9, 2017
I thought this book was funny and I would recommend this book to other Kids (Girls) but if boys have a thing for fashion then go ahead and read it
October 28, 2020
Cute graphic novel! I enjoyed it and will put in my classroom for sure! Cats! Fashion! A win-win!
December 30, 2023
this ate
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November 30, 2015Title: Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero
Author: Charise Mericle Harper
Genre: Graphic Novel
Theme(s): Fashion, Superheros
Opening line/sentence: If you have never heard the story of how a regular kitty became a superhero kitty, then you will want to read on.
Brief Book Summary: Fashion Kitty solves fashion emergencies around her school but lately she has not received much call for duty. But, as soon as her principal makes a new rule that everyone has to wear a school uniform, she is needed to help some serious fashion emergencies. Fashion Kitty learns some very important lessons along the way while solving her school's fashion emergencies.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6–Kiki Kittie and her friends experience a fashion emergency when their school principal forces them to wear uniforms, and Kiki&'s alter ego, the superhero Fashion Kitty, must come to the rescue. In the meantime Kiki has to deal with sibling rivalry and conflict with close friends. Girls will love the fun cartoon-style art, the graphic-novel format, and the soft color palette. The activities at the end, including paper dolls to cut out and dress, are an extra treat but might be a problem in libraries. Fashion Kitty will likely appeal to fans of Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm&'s &Babymouse& series (Random).–Mari Pongkhamsing, St. Perpetua School, Lafayette, CA
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature - Melissa Joy Adams
Kiki is just a regular kitty but when there is a fashion emergency, she changes into Fashion Kitty, her secret superhero identity, complete with her pink costume and mask. The only problem is, ever since the principal Mrs. Rumple decided to change the school dress code to require school uniforms, there has not been any need for Fashion Kitty. Kiki is just beginning to wonder if she will have to hang up her superhero mask for good when she finally hears a cry for help, but when she show up her help is rejected. Is there another fashion superhero in town? And if so, who is she? In this graphic novel, Harper creates the perfect plot conflict for Kiki, aka Fashion Kitty, the challenge of new school uniforms. Readers, especially those attending schools that require uniforms, will appreciate the amusing plot and Kiki's quirky personality. Harper's bold colorful graphics add to the quirkiness and fun. Reviewer: Melissa Joy Adams
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews seem to applaud the interesting plot as well as bold pictures in this graphic novel. The story line is great for children and allows them to feel a sense of adventure as well as security. This book shows how the kitty is able to help others with their fashion emergency and both reviews seem to really highlight this and enjoy the plot.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The plot is great in this novel because it is able to appeal to girls as well as boys. Many graphic novels or comic books consist of plots that are geared towards boys and masculine themes, but this book brings in the theme of fashion which can appeal to many girl's interests. This book has a feminine spin which help girl's get into the graphic novel and comic book genre.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Just like fashion kitty solves fashion emergencies at her school, have children choose an issue that they could solve at school. This could relate to lunch, recess, or having too much homework. Then have the students write a paragraph, and use their imagination, to describe how they can use their special superhero powers to help others and solve this issue. Then the students must create a superhero name and share their paragraph with their classmates.
Author: Charise Mericle Harper
Genre: Graphic Novel
Theme(s): Fashion, Superheros
Opening line/sentence: If you have never heard the story of how a regular kitty became a superhero kitty, then you will want to read on.
Brief Book Summary: Fashion Kitty solves fashion emergencies around her school but lately she has not received much call for duty. But, as soon as her principal makes a new rule that everyone has to wear a school uniform, she is needed to help some serious fashion emergencies. Fashion Kitty learns some very important lessons along the way while solving her school's fashion emergencies.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6–Kiki Kittie and her friends experience a fashion emergency when their school principal forces them to wear uniforms, and Kiki&'s alter ego, the superhero Fashion Kitty, must come to the rescue. In the meantime Kiki has to deal with sibling rivalry and conflict with close friends. Girls will love the fun cartoon-style art, the graphic-novel format, and the soft color palette. The activities at the end, including paper dolls to cut out and dress, are an extra treat but might be a problem in libraries. Fashion Kitty will likely appeal to fans of Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm&'s &Babymouse& series (Random).–Mari Pongkhamsing, St. Perpetua School, Lafayette, CA
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature - Melissa Joy Adams
Kiki is just a regular kitty but when there is a fashion emergency, she changes into Fashion Kitty, her secret superhero identity, complete with her pink costume and mask. The only problem is, ever since the principal Mrs. Rumple decided to change the school dress code to require school uniforms, there has not been any need for Fashion Kitty. Kiki is just beginning to wonder if she will have to hang up her superhero mask for good when she finally hears a cry for help, but when she show up her help is rejected. Is there another fashion superhero in town? And if so, who is she? In this graphic novel, Harper creates the perfect plot conflict for Kiki, aka Fashion Kitty, the challenge of new school uniforms. Readers, especially those attending schools that require uniforms, will appreciate the amusing plot and Kiki's quirky personality. Harper's bold colorful graphics add to the quirkiness and fun. Reviewer: Melissa Joy Adams
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews seem to applaud the interesting plot as well as bold pictures in this graphic novel. The story line is great for children and allows them to feel a sense of adventure as well as security. This book shows how the kitty is able to help others with their fashion emergency and both reviews seem to really highlight this and enjoy the plot.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The plot is great in this novel because it is able to appeal to girls as well as boys. Many graphic novels or comic books consist of plots that are geared towards boys and masculine themes, but this book brings in the theme of fashion which can appeal to many girl's interests. This book has a feminine spin which help girl's get into the graphic novel and comic book genre.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Just like fashion kitty solves fashion emergencies at her school, have children choose an issue that they could solve at school. This could relate to lunch, recess, or having too much homework. Then have the students write a paragraph, and use their imagination, to describe how they can use their special superhero powers to help others and solve this issue. Then the students must create a superhero name and share their paragraph with their classmates.
December 17, 2013
Fashion Kitty and The Unlikely Hero is a story about a kitty named Kiki who loves fashion. She even has a secret superhero identity and goes by Fashion Kitty. The principle at Kiki's school, Mrs. Rumple, hates fashion though. She decides to have all of the students start wearing uniforms to school to keep them from being distracted by fashion. Kiki and all the other students hate this, but Kiki doesn't know how to change. Well, to Kiki's surprise another kitty named Becky has been trying to get the principle to change her ways. Becky wears flip flops to school everyday and at lunch time she will slip something under Mrs. Rumple's door and pace back in forth in front of the door. Fashion Kitty comes to find out that the notes were cutouts of Mrs. Rumple wearing something other than a blue suit everyday. Thanks to Becky and Fashion Kitty the school no longer has to wear uniforms and Mrs. Rumple now wears other clothes besides just blue suits.
I thought this book was really cute. I like that it gives the message that you don't always need praise for being a hero, sometimes a secret hero is better. I liked how it was written like a comic book. I think it would be a good transitional book from easy readers to novels.
I thought this book was really cute. I like that it gives the message that you don't always need praise for being a hero, sometimes a secret hero is better. I liked how it was written like a comic book. I think it would be a good transitional book from easy readers to novels.
February 3, 2012
This is the third book in the Fashion Kitty series by Charise Mericle Harper. Our girls are hooked. The simple narrative and graphic novel format is very entertaining and easy to read, even for reluctant readers. Our girls like these stories (a lot) and they are reading the books in the series as fast they can get them. After reading the first two books aloud to them I refused to read any subsequent ones during storytime, but our girls had no difficulty reading them independently. Our girls liked the story, especially because Fashion Kitty comes to the fashion aid of an adult and the ending has an interesting, but not entirely unpredictable, twist. And they really liked the activity pages at the end of the book.
January 9, 2010
This graphic novel was cute and entertaining. I love Kiki's positive interactions with her family and schoolmates. Her family is understanding about her superhero powers and support her through all of her activities. The story is pretty basic and a fun one at that - which will make these graphic novels easier for younger kids to read. The style of the illustrations remind me a little bit of Babymouse, only with full colors. Overall, something I would like to see in my own school library.
October 16, 2009
This is really rather well made, and I can see why kids might dig it, but I had a pretty hard time relating to it, and didn't feel overly pressed to seek out any of the others (aside from the original, as I was curious as to her origin).
January 31, 2009
Fashion Kitty is my hero!
February 14, 2009
Cute graphic novel, good for struggling students (girls). Wish I had fashion kitty's style some mornings :)
March 7, 2009
I am quite sure there is no more perfect graphic novel series for me and only wish there were more titles in the series and that they had been available when I was nine.
October 21, 2009
a pretty interesting book if i say so myself.
December 18, 2009
Quirky and funny. My first Fashion Kitty book- I liked it better than I thought I would. 3 1/2 stars
January 4, 2010
I think the paper dolls and fold-y fortune thingie would be fun, were I little and not borrowing this book from the library.
January 7, 2011
Fashion Kitty saves the world!!
January 27, 2011
This is a very cute graphic novel- great for elementary school girls.
Read
February 23, 2011I love this book!!!
March 13, 2012
I love Charise Mericle Harper's books because they are crazily funny and cute.Write on, Charise!
April 23, 2012
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS AN INTERESTING BOOK TO READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~PURPLEROCKSTAR~
~PURPLEROCKSTAR~
September 19, 2013
i like how fashion kitty was not
the star of the show for once
the star of the show for once
February 13, 2014
I love Fashion Kitty. You have to appreciate a super hero with a fashion focus. The whole series is fun and a great read for 1st to 3rd graders.
March 10, 2014
Carson book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews