Author: Simon May
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691185719
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
An exploration of cuteness and its immense hold on us, from emojis and fluffy puppies to its more uncanny, subversive expressions Cuteness has taken the planet by storm. Global sensations Hello Kitty and Pokémon, the works of artists Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons, Heidi the cross-eyed opossum and E.T.—all reflect its gathering power. But what does “cute” mean, as a sensibility and style? Why is it so pervasive? Is it all infantile fluff, or is there something more uncanny and even menacing going on—in a lighthearted way? In The Power of Cute, Simon May provides nuanced and surprising answers. We usually see the cute as merely diminutive, harmless, and helpless. May challenges this prevailing perspective, investigating everything from Mickey Mouse to Kim Jong-il to argue that cuteness is not restricted to such sweet qualities but also beguiles us by transforming or distorting them into something of playfully indeterminate power, gender, age, morality, and even species. May grapples with cuteness’s dark and unpindownable side—unnerving, artful, knowing, apprehensive—elements that have fascinated since ancient times through mythical figures, especially hybrids like the hermaphrodite and the sphinx. He argues that cuteness is an addictive antidote to today’s pressured expectations of knowing our purpose, being in charge, and appearing predictable, transparent, and sincere. Instead, it frivolously expresses the uncertainty that these norms deny: the ineliminable uncertainty of who we are; of how much we can control and know; of who, in our relations with others, really has power; indeed, of the very value and purpose of power. The Power of Cute delves into a phenomenon that speaks with strange force to our age.

Author: Marceline Smith
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1473555574
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
Live a bright, fun, rainbow-filled life with Kawaii! The Japanese word Kawaii means lovable or adorable. Welcoming a little kawaii into your life is like opening the window and letting a sparkling sunbeam in. Whenever you feel a little low turn to this squishy, padded-covered book. Find fun ideas to: make a cosy kawaii home; playful, confidence boosting styling and beauty tips; and recipes that will make your smile. This book includes 10 easy how-to projects to bring kawaii into your life. Here, you'll also find a host of very special kawaii mascots that will always be ready to give you a hug when you need one: The Octonauts, Smiling Bear, Hello Kitty, Gudetama, Molang, Ricemonsters, Miffy the Rabbit, the Moomins, Donutella, Unicorno, Moofia and Pusheen. Escape into the magical world of kawaii...

Author: Ethans Jenkins
Publisher: Rizzoli Publications
ISBN: 1925811034
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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Book Description
The reckless usage of "cute" has gotten out of control. If you're addicted to the C-word, this hilarious book will help to kick your habit. Let's be clear: author Ethan Jenkins isn't campaigning for the total eradication of the word "cute." He just hopes to provide readers with some equally cute alternatives. In a slight deviation to the format of Roget's Thesaurus (the synonymic authority since 1851), this book is ablaze with illustrations of unicorns, rainbows, and anything pink. If only there was some short, punchy and universal word to describe this particular style of design... maybe winsome or darling? Dainty or precious? Time to open up this helpful thesaurus. The word "cute"--a shortened form of "acute," meaning shrewd or clever--first appeared in the English language in 1731. Near-300 years ago, it was a far cry from the etymological chameleon we know today. Now "cute" is blurted out in so many contexts, its impact has become forever diluted. On any given day, one might find themselves saying: "this baby is so cuuute I simply cannot!" "I think that bartenders kind of cute," or "don't play cute with me." If you're regularly guilty of using any (or all) of these, this book will help to claim back your vocabulary. If it's a friend or family member who needs an articulation intervention, let this essential reading be the first step on their road to recovery.

Author: Sianne Ngai
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262372258
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
A collection that tracks the astonishing impact of one vernacular aesthetic category—the cute—on postwar and contemporary art. The Cute tracks the astonishing impact of a single aesthetic category on post-war and contemporary art, and on the vast range of cultural practices and discourses on which artists draw. From robots and cat videos to ice cream socials, The Cute explores the ramifications of an aesthetic “of” or “about” minorness—or what is perceived to be diminutive, subordinate, and above all, unthreatening—on the shifting forms and contents of art today. This anthology is the first of its kind to show how contemporary artists have worked on and transformed the cute, in ways that not only complexify its meaning, but also reshape their own artistic practices. Artists surveyed include Peggy Ahwesh, Cosima Von Bonin, Nayland Blake, Paul Chan, Adrian Howells, Juliana Huxtable, Larry Johnson, Mike Kelley, Dean Kenning, Wyndham Lewis, Jeff Koons, Sean-Kierre Lyons, Mammalian Diving Reflex, Alake Shilling, Annette Messager, Mariko Mori, Takashi Murakami, Charlemagne Palestine, David Robbins, Mika Rottenberg, Allen Ruppersberg, Jack Smith, Kara Walker, Andy Warhol, Yoshitomo Nara Writers include Sasha Archibald, Roland Barthes, Leigh Claire La Berge, Lauren Berlant, Ian Bogost, Jennifer Doyle, Lee Edelman, Adrienne Edwards, Lewis Gordon, Rosemarie Garland-Thompson, Stephen Jay Gould, Lori Merish, John Morreall, Juliane Rebentisch, Frances Richard, Carrie Rickey, Friedrich Schiller, Peter Schjeldahl, Kanako Shiokawa, Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy, Kevin Young

Author: Gary S. Cross
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
ISBN: 0195156668
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 268

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Book Description
The cute child - spunky, yet dependent, naughty but nice - is largely a 20th-century invention. In this book, Gary Cross examines how that look emerged in American popular culture and how the cute turned into the cool, seemingly its opposite, in stories and games.

Author: Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1642507024
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
Cute Things to Draw for Kawaii Art Creatives This kawaii drawing book is essential for everyone looking to learn how to draw cute things! From the author of the bestseller The Drawing Book for Kids, with over 300,000 copies sold, this first book in a brand new series keeps you entertained while learning a new skill. A collection of cheerful and cute things to draw step-by-step. Kawaii means cute in Japanese. Loved by all ages, this popular style of cartoon drawing is both fun and adorable. In this book of cute little things to draw, you’ll find tips, easy techniques, and ideas to take your creativity to a new level. Complete with step-by-step instructions, The Cute Book of Kawaii Drawing makes drawing kawaii simple and easy. Soon you’ll turn from an aspiring artist into a skilled cartoonist! Make ordinary objects adorable in this Kawaii doodle book. The Cute Book of Kawaii Drawing teaches budding artists how to draw cute things out of ordinary objects! From food to animals, it provides hundreds of cute easy things to draw that bring positivity to any day. With over 100 pages for drawing and doodling for beginners, learn how to draw cute cartoon animals, food, and more kawaii stuff like: Pizza, donuts, and yummy food Sea creatures like the crab, dolphin, and otter Cute facial expressions, and more! If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw cute things, draw cute anime, or draw cute Chibi—or enjoyed books like How to Draw Cute Animals, How to Draw Cute Food, or Kawaii Doodle Class—then you’ll love The Cute Book of Kawaii Drawing.

Author: Jaclyn Jaycox
Publisher: Capstone
ISBN: 1515860426
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 35

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Book Description
A young girl and her best friend discover a monster. Luckily, it's cutest all-time! Unluckily, it's still a monster. With short chapters, easy-to-read text, and enhanced back matter, Boo Books deliver just-right frights (without the sleepless nights) for the earliest readers.

Author: Erin Butler
Publisher: Entangled: Crush
ISBN: 1633753875
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
"A great finale to the series which I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who'd like to explore behind the scenes life for a boy band as well as escape into a well written romance." -Elaine, Splashes into Books Every member of Seconds to Juliet has a girlfriend—except for Nathan Strong. Now the band's manager is leaning hard on "The Cute One" to play the role of the band's heartthrob. With the band's sales in decline, it's up to Nathan to keep the fans' fantasy alive. The plan is to stage a fake relationship and a fake breakup, and then let the fans fight to be the one to mend Nathan's broken heart. Just one problem. There's another girl in the picture-one Nathan can't stay away from. In private, Nathan's stealing kisses with the band's new opening act, Abby Curtis. If they're caught, no one wins. Abby will be fired, and the band might not recover the success they need to survive. But even with the pressure mounting, Nathan and Abby can't stop themselves from stealing one more touch, one more kiss. And it's only a matter of time before it all falls apart. Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book is as forbidden as the secret romance it contains! It has hot kisses, graphic language, and extreme misbehaving. DO NOT GET CAUGHT WITH THIS BOOK...unless you want everyone to know you believe in true love... Each book in the Backstage Pass Series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order. Series Order: Book #1 - Aimee and the Heartthrob Book #2 - Mia and the Bad Boy Book #3 - Daisy and the Front Man Book #4 - Anya and the Shy Guy Book #5 - Abby and the Cute One

Author: Sianne Ngai
Publisher: Documents of Contemporary Art
ISBN: 9780854882984
Category : Aesthetics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Cute tracks the astonishing impact of a single aesthetic category on post-war and contemporary art, and on the vast range of cultural practices and discourses on which artists draw. From robots and cat videos to ice cream socials, The Cute explores the ramifications of an aesthetic 'of' or 'about' minorness - or what is perceived to be diminutive, subordinate, and above all, unthreatening - on the shifting forms and contents of art today. This anthology is the first of its kind to show how contemporary artists have worked on and transformed the cute, and in ways that not only complexify its meaning, but reshape their own artistic practices.00 Artists surveyed include Peggy Ahwesh, Cosima Von Bonin, Nayland Blake, Paul Chan, Henry Darger, Adrian Howells, Juliana Huxtable, Larry Johnson, Mike Kelley, Dean Kenning, Wyndham Lewis, Jeff Koons, Sean-Kierre Lyons, Mammalian Diving Reflex, Tala Madani, Annette Messager, Mariko Mori, Charlemagne Palestine, Mika Rottenberg, Allen Ruppersberg, Jack Smith, Carolee Schneeman, Kara Walker, Andy Warhol, Yoshitomo Nara Writers include Sasha Archibald, Roland Barthes, Leigh Claire La Berge, Ian Bogost, Lauren Berlant, Jennifer Doyle, Lee Edelman, Stephen Jay Gould, Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy, Bridget Minamore, Juliane Rebentisch, Frances Richard, John Roberts, Friedrich Schiller, Peter Schjeldahl, Kanako Shiokawa.

Author: Charise Mericle Harper
Publisher: Robin Corey Books
ISBN: 0375859659
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description
The Power of Cute features lift-the-flaps, pull-tabs, and simple pop-ups and is told in a young graphic novel style. A hilariously dressed monster confronts a superhero baby and is very miffed that he is not scaring the baby. And why isn't the baby scared? Because the baby has a superpower--the power of cute--and, through this superpower, transforms the scary monster into a cute baby monster. This funny story also addresses children's fears and provides a morale-building solution to confronting them.