Ugenia Lavender

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 (4 July 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].

Contents

Story

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, was featured in early drafts but has not appeared in the book series[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].

Promotion

Promotional activities for the series included a launch reading by Halliwell at London Zoo on 27 April 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].

Reception

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].

Sales

According to the official site, the book sold more than 250,000 copies in its first 5 months making its author Geri Halliwell 2008’s most successful female celebrity children’s author.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Didcock, Barry (2008-05-05). "Geri Halliwell". Sunday Herald. http://www.sundayherald.com/arts/arts/display.var.2246073.0.0.php. Retrieved 2008-05-05. 
  2. ^ a b "Halliwell launches writing career". BBC News. 2007-04-12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6549521.stm. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
  3. ^ a b c d e "The first of six children’s books by Geri Halliwell" (DOC). Pan Macmillan press release. http://www.ugenialavender.com/dynamicContent/downloads/PR1.doc. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
  4. ^ a b "New chapter for author Geri as she presents her 'inner brat' Ugenia". Hello Magazine. 2008-04-28. http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2008/04/28/geri-halliwell-book/. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
  5. ^ "Geri: Books first step to girl power". This Is Nottingham. 2008-04-29. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=244367&command=displayContent&sourceNode=244365&contentPK=20495264&folderPk=112383&pNodeId=188965&returnNodeId=188965. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
  6. ^ a b Ellen, Barbara (2007-04-15). "Geri blossoms". The Observer. http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2057295,00.html. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
  7. ^ "Geri Halliwell writes kids' books". BBC Radio 1. 3008-04-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7375000/7375130.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  8. ^ a b Dammann, Guy (2008-05-02). "Spice Girl renounces music for writing career". Guardian. http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2277692,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  9. ^ Guest, Katy (2008-05-04). "Publishing: They can sign an autograph, but can they actually write?". Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/publishing-they-can-sign-an-autograph-but-can-they-actually-write-820693.html. Retrieved 2008-05-05. 
  10. ^ "Geri announces book tour". Metro. 2008-04-21. http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=144007&in_page_id=7&in_a_source=. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
  11. ^ Tansley, Janet (2008-04-29). "Genia Lavender: She’s Totally Ingenious! by Geri Halliwell, £6.99hb (Macmillan)". Liverpool Echo. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-life/liverpool-lifestyle/2008/04/29/genia-lavender-she-s-totally-ingenious-by-geri-halliwell-6-99hb-macmillan-100252-20833212/. Retrieved 2008-05-05. 
  12. ^ Merritt, Stephanie (2008-05-25). "Sir Nigel and the holy grail". The Observer. http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/childrenandteens/0,,2282119,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-26. 
  13. ^ http://www.ugenialavender.com/

External links

Geri Halliwell
Albums
Singles
Bibliography
  • If Only
  • Just for the Record
  • Ugenia Lavender
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