Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
New Book Reinvents Eloise As A Williamsburg Hotel Hipster
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 16, 2015
Modified Jan 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 16, 2015
Modified Jan 16, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The children's book series featuring Eloise, a character created by Kay Thompson in the 1950s, has received the hipster update we never wanted, courtesy of author Mallory Kasdan. In this new series, titled Ella, the 6-year-old protagonist doesn't live in the Plaza Hotel, she lives at the Local Hotel, which is based on the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg. It's being marketed as a "fun, hip, re-imagining of Thompson's timeless classic... for hipsters of all ages." Here's some more bullshit from the press release:
"The book... tells the story of a spunky six year-old girl who lives in a hotel-but if you think you know the story, think again. Ella has a nanny called Manny. He has tattoos for sleeves and he might go in with some guys to buy a grilled cheese truck. Artsy, of course, she weaves purses out of Ziploc bags and reclaimed twine. She has a dog named Stacie and a fish named Rasta. Altogether she has been to 62 events (including that Hillary Clinton fundraiser)."
Ella is described as a "trendsetter," who interacts with everyone from the hipster clientele to the bouncer of the rooftop bar to Topher, the hotel's Artist in Residence. We will say, illustrator Marcos Chin did a beautiful job creating her world...
Both Kasdan and Chin will be at PowerHouse Arena on January 25th to celebrate the launch of the book.
Tagged
ella
hipster eloise
mallory kasdan
marcos chin
not eloise
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .