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Along Came Coco: A Story About Coco Chanel
From Eva Byrne, the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of Princesses Wear Pants , comes the picture book Along Came A Story About Coco Chanel .
In a time when children were meant to be seen and not heard, along came Coco, a small French orphan with an eye for style, a talent for sewing, and a big imagination. Coco grew up in an orphanage run by very strict nuns, but she wasn’t very good at following rules.
At a time when girls were told to brush their hair 100 times until their arms were sore, Coco promised herself that one day she would snip away her locks so that she wouldn’t have to be so fussy—girls needed time for other things, and they needed some of the comforts that boys enjoyed. Why shouldn’t girls have pockets? And why did they have to wear corsets all the time?
An exploration of Coco’s early life and a celebration of her creativity, Along Came Coco shows the ways in which Coco Chanel’s imaginative spirit led her to grow into one of the world’s most beloved fashion icons.
“A celebration of Coco Chanel’s creative spirit . . . Byrne encourages readers to explore their creativity and remain steadfast in following their dreams.” — Kirkus Reviews
In a time when children were meant to be seen and not heard, along came Coco, a small French orphan with an eye for style, a talent for sewing, and a big imagination. Coco grew up in an orphanage run by very strict nuns, but she wasn’t very good at following rules.
At a time when girls were told to brush their hair 100 times until their arms were sore, Coco promised herself that one day she would snip away her locks so that she wouldn’t have to be so fussy—girls needed time for other things, and they needed some of the comforts that boys enjoyed. Why shouldn’t girls have pockets? And why did they have to wear corsets all the time?
An exploration of Coco’s early life and a celebration of her creativity, Along Came Coco shows the ways in which Coco Chanel’s imaginative spirit led her to grow into one of the world’s most beloved fashion icons.
“A celebration of Coco Chanel’s creative spirit . . . Byrne encourages readers to explore their creativity and remain steadfast in following their dreams.” — Kirkus Reviews
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 19, 2019
1 person is currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Eva Byrne
21 books9 followersHello.
My name is Eva, I am freelance Illustrator, living on the West Coast of Ireland.
I have worked as a freelance illustrator for advertising agencies, magazines and publishers for over 20 years but I am a children’s book Illustrator at heart.
I was delighted when the first children’s book I illustrated, written by Savannah Gurthrie and Alison Oppenheimer “Princesses Wear Pants” became a New York Times best seller.
I have written and Illustrated two books so far, “Along Came Coco” which was a Bank Street Book of the year and SUPERNANA both published by Abrams.
My work is a combination of traditional and digital techniques, traditional for it’s spontaneity and digital for it’s more forgiving qualities.
When I’m not in my studio I can be found in the children’s section of my local library or sea swimming (I use that term loosely.)
My name is Eva, I am freelance Illustrator, living on the West Coast of Ireland.
I have worked as a freelance illustrator for advertising agencies, magazines and publishers for over 20 years but I am a children’s book Illustrator at heart.
I was delighted when the first children’s book I illustrated, written by Savannah Gurthrie and Alison Oppenheimer “Princesses Wear Pants” became a New York Times best seller.
I have written and Illustrated two books so far, “Along Came Coco” which was a Bank Street Book of the year and SUPERNANA both published by Abrams.
My work is a combination of traditional and digital techniques, traditional for it’s spontaneity and digital for it’s more forgiving qualities.
When I’m not in my studio I can be found in the children’s section of my local library or sea swimming (I use that term loosely.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 8, 2019
I enjoyed the movie I saw about Coco some 20 or so years ago (I think). Coco is an amazing figure. This gives and introduction, but there was so much more to Coco. She made an enduring company that lasted generations after she died. That is pretty outstanding for a poor orphan.
My niece loves making her own dresses and she loves to talk about some fashions. She loved this book. The artwork is so chic and the niece loved all the artwork and dresses. She read this on her own to really study it. She gave this 5 stars. Can someone still be that trend setting in todays world? I assume that you can if you have tenacity and a good eye. I don’t know if my niece is interested in this or not, but she enjoyed reading about Coco. I’m sure there are museums with fashions and things. I need to take her to things like that.
The nephew did not much appreciate this book, well, accept, he liked that Coco did her own thing. He caught that she flaunted social conventions. He gave this 2 stars for that.
My niece loves making her own dresses and she loves to talk about some fashions. She loved this book. The artwork is so chic and the niece loved all the artwork and dresses. She read this on her own to really study it. She gave this 5 stars. Can someone still be that trend setting in todays world? I assume that you can if you have tenacity and a good eye. I don’t know if my niece is interested in this or not, but she enjoyed reading about Coco. I’m sure there are museums with fashions and things. I need to take her to things like that.
The nephew did not much appreciate this book, well, accept, he liked that Coco did her own thing. He caught that she flaunted social conventions. He gave this 2 stars for that.
March 20, 2019
What an awesome book! The illustrations were amazing and I really liked the biography. Coco was an amazing lady!
January 1, 2019
Reviewed for professional publication.
April 6, 2019
Great book! Simple and easy to understand, and very accessible for the younger audience this is meant for. I gave it a 4 because I felt that it should be longer and more detailed to really grasp the biography.
May 1, 2019
I enjoyed it. But will children? Do today's children even know who Coco Chanel even was?
September 13, 2019
We saw this book displayed in the children's room at the James J Hill library in St Paul, and requested it from our local branch. My daughter was captivated by the story of Coco growing up in a convent, nuns, corsets, fainting couches and how Coco's hair caught fire so she cut it all off. Biographies are capturing her attention -- is Coco still alive? Do people still have her hats? She wanted to read it again immediately. A great story well told.
October 23, 2019
2.5 stars
I have complicated feelings about books like this because it's a beautiful book in terms of the art, and stories that highlight success via following one's passion and creativity is always something I enjoy. That said, the reality of Coco Chanel as a problematic human being makes me less inclined to recommend this without reservations.
I have complicated feelings about books like this because it's a beautiful book in terms of the art, and stories that highlight success via following one's passion and creativity is always something I enjoy. That said, the reality of Coco Chanel as a problematic human being makes me less inclined to recommend this without reservations.
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June 24, 2019I did not know about Chanel's Nazi ties before checking this out. (It's not like the book mentioned it, but rather I learned it from Twitter)
June 6, 2019
Interesting! I’m not well versed in high fashion, but even little old me has heard about Coco Chanel. The author’s note in the back says that due to Coco’s love of elaborating and embellishing, it’s hard to tell fact from fiction. A well-written story that makes me want to learn more about the fashion icon.
June 6, 2019
Even if you don't care overly about fashion, it's important, or at least interesting, to know when, where, and why women's fashion changed dramatically, and what kind of women lead the way in those changes.
June 5, 2019
Great illustrations, like the salute to creativity. By calling it "a story about Coco Chanel," she was able to leave out the more problematic parts of her life, which is a choice...not sure how to interpret that.
May 20, 2019
Very cute, informative, beautiful illustrations... does not at all mention the whole "Coco Chanel was a Nazi spy" thing which is a rather significant omission in my opinion.
April 10, 2019
so pretty
April 13, 2019
Yes, little girls. Bending those rules is never a bad idea, despite what society continues to tell us a century later.
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April 19, 2019
A mostly biographical story of Coco Chanel and how she changed what women wore. Great illustrations that resemble designer sketches. Includes a short biography at the end.
May 19, 2019
This is a very good picture book to inform people of the journey it can take to make your way to the top. It's a great feel-good read if you're into fashion!
December 30, 2019
Beautiful illustrations and geared towards children so the bad parts about her life aren’t in this book.
October 24, 2025
Although this is a picture book, I've shelved it as age 5 up and also 8-adult, as the delightful writing and art make it appealing to a wide age range. There may even be a few younger children who might enjoy hearing the story.
Eva Byrne doesn't begin to try and cover the life of Coco Chanel in full, which she explains in her author note. Coco's adult life included aspects that are not inspiring and not material for young children. What she achieved however, is an honest slice of life that would have probably made Coco herself feel happy and proud.
The author / illustrator (who studied fashion illustration before becoming a bestselling children's book illustrator) knows who she is writing about but more importantly who she is writing for, and has shown us the quirky Coco one might invent, but only from highly researching her subject.
Her language is expressive, the details she chose to include help show the reasons for actions that occur. Even if this had just been a fictional story without reference to a famous designer, the story has all the bones needed - slight humor, quirkiness, a person who strives for more than her life circumstances, and the limits placed on females in the era she was born and grew up.
The ink and watercolor wash art work reflects aspects of the ink drawings used in fashion illustration of her time, the costumes, the places – yet feels fresh, fluid, dynamic as well as well-designed.
Eva Byrne doesn't begin to try and cover the life of Coco Chanel in full, which she explains in her author note. Coco's adult life included aspects that are not inspiring and not material for young children. What she achieved however, is an honest slice of life that would have probably made Coco herself feel happy and proud.
The author / illustrator (who studied fashion illustration before becoming a bestselling children's book illustrator) knows who she is writing about but more importantly who she is writing for, and has shown us the quirky Coco one might invent, but only from highly researching her subject.
Her language is expressive, the details she chose to include help show the reasons for actions that occur. Even if this had just been a fictional story without reference to a famous designer, the story has all the bones needed - slight humor, quirkiness, a person who strives for more than her life circumstances, and the limits placed on females in the era she was born and grew up.
The ink and watercolor wash art work reflects aspects of the ink drawings used in fashion illustration of her time, the costumes, the places – yet feels fresh, fluid, dynamic as well as well-designed.
October 31, 2019
I am not much of a fashionista so I really thought "Oh, swell, a book about Fashion icon and empire Chanel"
What I learned was amazing. An orphan girl who dreamed big and achieved big.
She looked at the norm as said "why does they have to be the norm" (PS thank you Coco, I can see nothing cool about corsets)!
I liked everything about this book!
The only way I would like it more, is this, I would like a little more detail. I know, it is a picture book and I could reach out and read the books listed in the bibliography, but I wanted to know a little more about why she was orphaned, and there was leap from convent to Hat shop with no real explanation of how it happened. How did an orphan get money to create the hats and then rent a store. Did her aunts help! It sounds like her Aunts had money. Why didn't they take care of her? So, you are really going to make me read the big kid biography! Groan! Maybe just a google search ;-)
What I learned was amazing. An orphan girl who dreamed big and achieved big.
She looked at the norm as said "why does they have to be the norm" (PS thank you Coco, I can see nothing cool about corsets)!
I liked everything about this book!
The only way I would like it more, is this, I would like a little more detail. I know, it is a picture book and I could reach out and read the books listed in the bibliography, but I wanted to know a little more about why she was orphaned, and there was leap from convent to Hat shop with no real explanation of how it happened. How did an orphan get money to create the hats and then rent a store. Did her aunts help! It sounds like her Aunts had money. Why didn't they take care of her? So, you are really going to make me read the big kid biography! Groan! Maybe just a google search ;-)
September 27, 2019
Briley Willaford's Book Review of Along Came COCO by Eva Byrne
Eva Byrne wrote this picture book in perfect wording explaining COCO Chanel story in becoming the most well know fashion designer. She told her story from the beginning ever since she was "in a strict convent". This story will tell you about all of COCO's ups and downs and some facts. Eva was very precise with writing this book she gave all the truth and nothing but the truth.
This book would be great for all ages especially upcoming designers when they need motivation. When in the designer world it could get pretty hard sometimes especially when you are young like COCO was.
Eva Byrne wrote this picture book in perfect wording explaining COCO Chanel story in becoming the most well know fashion designer. She told her story from the beginning ever since she was "in a strict convent". This story will tell you about all of COCO's ups and downs and some facts. Eva was very precise with writing this book she gave all the truth and nothing but the truth.
This book would be great for all ages especially upcoming designers when they need motivation. When in the designer world it could get pretty hard sometimes especially when you are young like COCO was.
October 19, 2021
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: K-3
This book was a fun, quick read on the life of Coco Chanel. I really enjoyed everything about it, from the information I learned, to the amazing watercolor drawings. I love learning about creative women's lives and picture books are such a fun way to do so. Although I loved this book so much, I'm not sure if children will. They probably don't even know who she is or why her story is important. I know it is an inspiring story about a girl who brought her ideas to life, so it has potential to be entertaining to a young student.
Grade Level: K-3
This book was a fun, quick read on the life of Coco Chanel. I really enjoyed everything about it, from the information I learned, to the amazing watercolor drawings. I love learning about creative women's lives and picture books are such a fun way to do so. Although I loved this book so much, I'm not sure if children will. They probably don't even know who she is or why her story is important. I know it is an inspiring story about a girl who brought her ideas to life, so it has potential to be entertaining to a young student.
March 10, 2023
A picture book biography of Coco Chanel who went from French convent orphanage to cutting edge fashion designer of Paris.
The author's note in the back of the book clarifies that it is hard to write accurately about Chanel because she liked to embellish stories, so there are many versions of events in her life. Given that challenge, I thought she did a spectacular job with telling the story in a way that highlights some of Chanel's key fashion innovations that are verifiable and is easily grasped by children. The illustration style fits the Paris designer perfectly too.
The author's note in the back of the book clarifies that it is hard to write accurately about Chanel because she liked to embellish stories, so there are many versions of events in her life. Given that challenge, I thought she did a spectacular job with telling the story in a way that highlights some of Chanel's key fashion innovations that are verifiable and is easily grasped by children. The illustration style fits the Paris designer perfectly too.
September 20, 2019
Another excellent picture biography about Coco Chanel. See also Different Like Coco (Matthews). This one focuses on her use of more masculine and comfortable lines and fits for women’s clothing in an era of cinching and flounces. Future designers are sure to be inspired, and as career education begins in the primary grades now, this book should fit the bill for both recreational and curricular reading.
November 8, 2022
Genre: Biography
Grade Range: 2-6
I learned so much from this picture book! As you would expect, the book focuses on Coco's development as a fashion designer. However, they also include her humble beginnings as an orphan in a strict convent. I love how the story outlines the inspirations for some of her greatest fashion innovations. By the end of the book, you can't help but love the girl that created functional and stylish clothes for women like her.
Grade Range: 2-6
I learned so much from this picture book! As you would expect, the book focuses on Coco's development as a fashion designer. However, they also include her humble beginnings as an orphan in a strict convent. I love how the story outlines the inspirations for some of her greatest fashion innovations. By the end of the book, you can't help but love the girl that created functional and stylish clothes for women like her.
June 6, 2021
This was such a charming biographical children’s book! The watercolor illustrations were gorgeous, and the author did a wonderful job describing Coco Chanel’s story and her lasting impact on fashion and freedom of expression. I checked this out from my local library but now I want my own copy!
November 29, 2021
I don't think this book was the best book in the world by any means but it made me smile. I love reading about how famous people came to be in this format and the patterns in the illustrations were very nice.
March 1, 2023
It was interesting to learn about Coco's background and some of the things that inspired her, but I didn't like the emphasis on "breaking the rules"...how about wording that differently and emphasizing her creativity and thinking outside the box instead?? The artwork was fun.
March 15, 2023
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. From starting off in a French convent orphanage to becoming one of the greatest fashion icons today, Coco Chanel's ambition to design practical yet stylish clothing for women that broke all the rules of her day is inspiring.
August 14, 2019
Oh la la! I love a rebel that can change the world.
October 28, 2019
This read is adorable. Great for the little demons.
I’m sure Coco would be delighted to read this short story.
I’m sure Coco would be delighted to read this short story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews