Ugenia Lavender Explained

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]

Books

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 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 in 2008.[10] Halliwell 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 five months which made Halliwell 2008's most successful female celebrity children's author.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 5 May 2008 . 5 May 2008 . Barry . Didcock . Sunday Herald . Geri Halliwell . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080506193452/http://www.sundayherald.com/arts/arts/display.var.2246073.0.0.php . 6 May 2008 .
  2. News: 1 April 2007. 29 April 2008 . Halliwell launches writing career . BBC News .
  3. Web site: The first of six children's books by Geri Halliwell . Pan Macmillan press release . 29 April 2008 . DOC.
  4. News: New chapter for author Geri as she presents her 'inner brat' Ugenia . 2 April 2008. 29 April 2008 . Hello Magazine.
  5. News: Geri: Books first step to girl power. This Is Nottingham. 2 April 2008. 29 April 2008.
  6. News: Barbara . Ellen . Geri blossoms . The Observer . 1 April 2007. 29 April 2008.
  7. News: Geri Halliwell writes kids' books . BBC Radio 1 . 3 April 2008. 3 May 2008.
  8. News: Spice Girl renounces music for writing career . Guardian . 3 May 2008 . 2 May 2008 . Guy . Dammann.
  9. News: 4 May 2008 . 5 May 2008 . Katy . Guest . Independent . Publishing: They can sign an autograph, but can they actually write? .
  10. News: Geri announces book tour . 2 April 2008 . 29 April 2008 . Metro .
  11. News: 5 May 2008 . 2 April 2008. Genia Lavender: She's Totally Ingenious! by Geri Halliwell, £6.99hb (Macmillan) . Liverpool Echo . Janet . Tansley . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120319200922/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/ . 19 March 2012 .
  12. News: Sir Nigel and the holy grail . Stephanie . Merritt . The Observer . 26 May 2008 . 2 May 2008.
  13. Web site: 电视广西新闻网. Ugenialavender.com. 7 November 2021.

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