Introducing Ella

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kasdan, Mallory. 2015. Ella. Ill. by Marcos Chin. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670016754

PLOT SUMMARY

Fans of Kay Thompson's Eloise will delight at this modern day version of her classic children's book. Ella, the titular character, is a precocious six year old who lives in the penthouse of The Local Hotel.  She spends her days having many adventures throughout the hotel and interacting with its multiple employees.  Ella has befriended the bell captains, Levi and Luis, the bouncer from the rooftop bar, Maverick, and the hotel's artist-in-residence, Topher.  Most of her time, however, is spent with her very hip nanny, Manny.  They sing songs together and have plans to start a band.  She also has a tutor named Judith who fosters her creative spirit.  In fact, Ella has her own online shop where she sells her artwork. 

When Ella finds herself on her own, her imagination keeps her very busy.  She spies on clients in the cafe, rides her scooter, and plays with her American Girl dolls.  Ella has the rare ability to find fun in any situation.  She can also be a bit mischievous, as one of her favorite things to do is steal the "Privacy Please!" signs from the doorknobs of the guests' rooms.  Despite the absence of her parents, Ella is very happy little girl who seems more than satisfied with her life at The Local Hotel.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

First time author Mallory Kasdan has taken a familiar story and turned it into something that feels brand new.  While there are many similarities between this tale and the original Eloise, Kasdan has made it into something much more relatable to 21st century children and grownups, alike.  Pop culture takes center stage in this hipster version.  The men in the story wear skinny jeans and there are women in black leather riding boots.  Ella uses an iPad, texts on her cell phone, video chats with her mother on a laptop, and watches movies on a tablet.  She attends all the shows during Fashion Week and has been to a Hilary Clinton fundraiser.  Even the language Ella uses is representative of 2015.  She says, "OMG" and "chillax" and references bloggers, paparazzi, yoga, and her American Girl dolls.

It is worth noting that Kasdan also gives Ella some hobbies that are more simple and timeless that will surely appeal to all young readers.  Ella loves to draw, play with her pets, play pretend with her stuffed animals, and watch movies.  Kasdan also keeps to the original story in that it is told from the perspective of Ella, with her narration reading more like stream of consciousness rather than properly punctuated sentences.  This helps Ella's strong and endearing personality to shine through.

While this story may be categorized as a children's picture book, it contains plenty of humor for adults, as well.  Manny's desire to buy a grilled cheese truck, the screenplay Maverick is writing, and the debate of Scorsese versus Kubrick are just a few examples.  This serves to make this book appealing to both the child who is listening to it and the grownup who is reading it aloud.

Marcos Chin's illustrations give this book a real urban vibe and help bring this wonderful story to life.  Each character is portrayed wearing only the latest fashions, right down to their hairstyles and tattoos.  Many of them have looks of cool indifference on their faces, which is indicative of today's hipsters.  Ella is the only character who has been drawn as expressive, with a variety of emotions passing over her face.  It is easy to see when she is feeling happy, surprised, tired, and devious.  The style of Chin's drawings couldn't be more perfectly matched to Kasdan's text.

Given that we had just recently read Eloise, my children and I were very excited to read Ella.  I know that the 1955 book is widely considered a classic, but I found myself enjoying this version so much more.  I liked that Ella was not nearly as naughty as Eloise; she didn't kick or disrespect anyone.  I was drawn in more by Chin's full color illustrations compared to Hilary Knight's black and white ones.  My children related to the action and references in this story much more than they did to Eloise, and I found I was able to simply read and not have to stop and explain to them what was going on every few pages.  My four year old son especially enjoyed the part when Ella sticks edamame up her nose because that is one of his favorite foods.  My six year old daughter responded to this story by saying, "Eloise was naughtier than Ella, but Ella is funnier than Eloise.  It's funny when she makes fart noises with her mouth and then points to the best girl to show she's the one farting.  I like Ella better than Eloise.  I like it when the dog wakes her up with the leash and coat."

REVIEW EXCERPTS

From KIRKUS REVIEWS - "Ella's mischief and cadence (and Kasdan's minimal punctuation) ring thrillingly familiar...Her self-descriptions are hilarious; the text winks with merry self-awareness...For hipsters of all ages."

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "An entertaining spoof."

From TIME MAGAZINE - "What would Eloise at the Plaza do in modern-day New York?  Try yoga, join drum circles and visit food trucks.  For more on the 60 year old kiddie icon's hipster makeover, check out Ella."    

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - "Kasdan name checks urban standbys from edamame to Zumba, while fellow first-timer Chin's funny full-color vignettes of a multicultural downtown scene and a heedlessly energetic child are loving tributes to Hilary Knight's originals." 

CONNECTIONS

Read Kay Thompson's Eloise and have students find similarities and differences between the two books.

• Thompson, Kay. Eloise. ISBN 067122350X

Have students compare themselves to Ella.  What kinds of things does she like to do that they do, as well?  What is different about her life than theirs?

Ask your students if they've ever stayed in a hotel before.  What did they like about being at the hotel?  What didn't they like?

Bring in gold and silver glitter pens and have your students write in their journals with them, like Ella does in the story.

Ella is very artsy.  That is one of her special talents.  Ask your students to share what their special talents are.  Have them write about what they are best at.