Hello Kitty Guide to Life by Various

Hello Kitty Guide to Life by Various
Buy Hello Kitty Guide to Life by Various at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Children's Non-Fiction
Reviewer: Karen Inskip-Hayward
Summary: A cute book for young girls with plenty of tips on different fun things.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 96	Date: October 2009
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
ISBN: 978-0007326228
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Hello Kitty is a huge worldwide phenomenon with a whole heap of related merchandise featuring the cute cartoon cat in dresses and ribbons. It appeals to girls and women of many ages, but this new hardback book Hello Kitty – Guide to Life is aimed at the brand's younger fans, probably around 6 to 14 year olds.

It is quite a big hardback with a bright, colourful cover featuring the famous Kitty with shiny silver flowers around it. This should give you a good clue about its target audience. Don't buy it for your Dad or your teenage son!

Inside, expect big Hello Kitty pictures and plenty of colour. This is a book you would pick up and flick through, not one you would read from cover to cover. It is a beautifully designed book and well-intentioned too. While its aim to make your life as fun and fashionable as possible might have some of us feeling slightly queasy, it does contain some good ideas for young girls.

He book is divided into eight main sections – Pretty Hello Kitty (skincare, make-up and hair ideas), Fashion Fun (clothes), Travel Time (featuring four cities – London, New York, Paris and Tokyo), All About You (ideas of things to do, tips for studying), Home (your bedroom and ways to personalise it), Friends (tips on friendship, things to do with your friends), Cooking (including recipes) and Hobbies (Sports, Music, Writing poetry and Dancing sections).

I was impressed this didn't seem too girlie and was also aimed at the younger end of the age range. For example, the make up section doesn't suggest that every girl should slap on layers of foundation, but rather that it can be used minimally to get a pretty effect. There are tips on which colour eyeshadow suits a certain skin colour.

I also like the messages Hello Kitty – Guide to Life conveys about mixing schoolwork with fun, being creative and treating your friends well. Everything is written in short paragraphs in the middle of eye-catching colour Hello Kitty illustrations and the tone is warm and friendly, not patronising or parental. There are loads of good tips here and plenty to suit a smaller budget too.

The book is equally good for girls from different countries too, as for example, the sports section mentions British football alongside American baseball. It feels a good multi-cultural book, although the spellings in this edition are English (e.g. favourite).

Although the cover price of £9.99 might seem slightly expensive, you will find it cheaper at Amazon and elsewhere and I would suggest it works out good value for money. Any young girl who likes the Hello Kitty brand will love looking through this and will definitely come out with ideas of things to do. As we parents know, one of our children's favourite complaints is boredom and Hello Kitty ' Guide to Life will surely quieten their moaning for a shiort while, at least!

This would also be a great Christmas or birthday present, one which will keep them busy long after the Christmas pudding or birthday cake has been consumed. Recommended.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

If this book appeals then we can also suggest Ripping Things to Do by Jane Brocket.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Hello Kitty Guide to Life by Various at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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