Adult readers, too, will find much to appreciate here. Fashion’s history is explored, as is the background of United States patents, including several noteworthy patents obtained over the years. Of particular note are the authors’ vignettes on different fashion-related items and their transformations over time: sunglasses have been around since prehistoric days, when the Inuits of Canada utilized them to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare; women’s nylons skyrocketed in popularity during the 1939 World’s Fair; and neckties have been transformed from their role in Croatian military uniforms to their eventual white-collar job usage around the turn of the 20th century. Ronquillo’s graphics are as colorful and dynamic as the book’s fashion choices.

Brooke and her family, of course, get to learn fashion’s secrets firsthand—and share in Delfi’s excitement when she wins runner up in her competition. When Brooke shares her admiration for Delfi’s success, her mom wisely advises her to follow her own dreams much like her cousin has: “No dream is too big, no dreamer too small. Everyone starts somewhere.” To build on that theme, the authors include a link to their Young Inventor’s Club with monthly STEAM activities.

Takeaway: A chic journey through the history and present of the fashion world.

Comparable Titles: Dana Thomas’s Fashionopolis, Katey Howes’s Be a Maker.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A