Ugenia Lavender
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Ugenia Lavender is the title character in a series of children's novels written by Geri Halliwell, who achieved fame as a member of the Spice Girls and as a solo singer-songwriter before deciding to pursue a career as an author. Halliwell began writing the books in 2004[1]. Macmillan Children's Books announced that Halliwell had signed a contract to write six books featuring the character on 12 April 2007[2].
The first book, Ugenia Lavender, was published on 2 May 2008 in the UK[3]. Subsequent titles and planned release dates are Ugenia Lavender and the Terrible Tiger (6 June 2008), Ugenia Lavender and the Burning Pants (July 4, 2008), Ugenia Lavender: Home Alone (1 August 2008), Ugenia Lavender and the Temple of Gloom (5 September 2008) and Ugenia Lavender: The One and Only (3 October 2008)[3].
The books follow the adventures of nine-year-old Ugenia, a character based on Halliwell[4], alongside her friends Bronte, Rudy and Trevor[3]. Other characters are said by Halliwell to be loosely based on Gordon Ramsay[2], George Michael[5], Marilyn Monroe[6], Vincent van Gogh[6], Wayne Rooney[1] and the character Justin Suarez from the TV series Ugly Betty[1]. The character Princess Posh Vattoria, a caricature of Halliwell's bandmate Victoria Beckham, featured in early drafts but does not appear in the first book[7].
Each title will feature a newsletter from Ugenia highlighting lessons she has learned[8], along with quizzes, riddles and crosswords[3], and will be available in an audio book edition read by Halliwell[1].
The books are illustrated by Rian Hughes[3]. Children's author Jonny Zucker is also given a special credit on the books, but Halliwell has maintained she wrote the books entirely on her own[9].
Promotional activities for the series included a launch reading by Halliwell at London Zoo on April 27, 2008[4] and a seven-city UK book tour planned for May 2008[10]. Halliwell has recorded a theme tune for use in advertisements for the books[8].
A review in the Liverpool Echo described the first book as "eminently readable and exciting"[11]. The children's book reviewer in The Observer said it was "good fun" but criticised the quality of the prose[12].
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Didcock, Barry. "Geri Halliwell", Sunday Herald, 2008-05-05. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ a b "Halliwell launches writing career", BBC News, 2007-04-12. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ a b c d e The first of six children’s books by Geri Halliwell (DOC). Pan Macmillan press release. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ a b "New chapter for author Geri as she presents her 'inner brat' Ugenia", Hello Magazine, 2008-04-28. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ "Geri: Books first step to girl power", This Is Nottingham, 2008-04-29. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ a b Ellen, Barbara. "Geri blossoms", The Observer, 2007-04-15. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ "Geri Halliwell writes kids' books", BBC Radio 1, 3008-04-30. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.
- ^ a b Dammann, Guy. "Spice Girl renounces music for writing career", Guardian, 2008-05-02. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.
- ^ Guest, Katy. "Publishing: They can sign an autograph, but can they actually write?", Independent, 2008-05-04. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ "Geri announces book tour", Metro, 2008-04-21. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ Tansley, Janet. "Genia Lavender: She’s Totally Ingenious! by Geri Halliwell, £6.99hb (Macmillan)", Liverpool Echo, 2008-04-29. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
- ^ Merritt, Stephanie. "Sir Nigel and the holy grail", The Observer, 2008-05-25. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
[edit] External links
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