<DIV>A doe-eyed doll, a smiley-faced cupcake, a sweet plush kitten: they're cute?and cute is at the heart of a growing legion of adult collectors and enthusiasts who live and breathe all things cuddly and adorable.<BR><BR>Journalist and writer Pamela Klaffke, author of <I>Spree: A Cultural History of Shopping</I> and herself an avid collector of cute since she was a child, takes readers on a rainbow-and-unicorn-filled journey through cute culture, from its origins in Japan where teenaged girls help drive the "cute" economy, to its modern-day manifestations in the bubblegum-colored careers of performers like Katy Perry. The book also delves into the fanatical world of cute creators and collectors, the psychology of nostalgia, and the phenomenon known as creepy/cute. There's also cute food, anthropomorphized animals, and cute superstars such as Blythe, My Little Pony, and Hello Kitty herself. Full-color throughout, the book also includes many photographs of cute objects from the author's extensive personal collection.<BR><BR>As charming and captivating as its subject matter, <I>Hello, Cutie!</I> invites readers to indulge their cuddliest guilty pleasures. It's as cute as can be!<BR><BR><B>Pamela Klaffke</B> is the author of <I>Spree: A Cultural History of Shopping.</I><BR></DIV>