PRETTY MINNIE IN PARIS

Minnie is a teacup Chihuahua who lives in Paris with Françoise and her very chic family.

They dine at bistros, ride a bike in the Jardin du Luxembourg, go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and walk to the Arc de Triomphe. But most of all they love fashion, especially pink and purple and anything with sparkles. Françoise and Minnie, who is based on the author’s pet, have outfits to suit every occasion. Since Françoise’s mother is a fashion designer, they are able to visit the workrooms and witness the process of the design and construction of the clothes. Most exciting of all is the opportunity to attend fashion shows. But the clamor of one show is more than Minnie can handle. She escapes from Françoise’s lap and hides backstage, while Françoise worries and cries. They are reunited in a blaze of publicity, and Minnie’s rescue is featured in the newspapers. Enamored of the glamorous Parisian lifestyle and the opportunity to envelop her characters in the world of fashion, Steel nearly overwhelms the slight, sweet tale about love between a little girl and her pet. While her text is pedestrian, Valiant provides Minnie with a happy, appealing personality as she moves through the bright, color-filled illustrations that nicely capture the spirit of Paris and all the fashion-forward clothing.

Froufrou.