I Had a Favorite Dress: A Picture Book - Hardcover

Ashburn, Boni

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1419700162 ISBN 13: 9781419700163

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011

Synopsis

Open up a fresh and stylish story about growing up and keeping hold of your favorite memories. As the year passes, the narrator’s favorite dress goes through a series of creative changes, from dress to shirt to tank top to scarf and so on, until all that’s left of it is a good memory. Assisted by her patient and crafty mama, the narrator finds that when disaster strikes her favorite things, she doesn’t need to make mountains out of molehills—she “makes molehills out of mountains” instead! Structured around the days of the week, the story is also illustrated to show the passing of the seasons, a perfect complement to the themes of growing older and keeping hold (and letting go) of special mementos.

Praise for I Had a Favorite Dress
"A spunky story about adjusting to change with creativity and style. Tailor-made, so to speak, for the Etsy generation of DIY enthusiasts.” –Publishers Weekly

“Everyone is smiling in the buoyant confections created by illustrator Julia Denos—including, it’s fair to say, young readers looking at them. Endearing picture book.” –Wall Street Journal

“What could have been yet another example of kindergarten consumerism instead becomes one of resourcefulness and resilience.” –New York Times
“Denos’s multimedia illustrations reinforce the narrator’s vibrant personality and the amazing transformations of the dress while capturing the action and emotion of the story. This book is sure to capture the imaginations of would-be seamstresses; children who can’t bear to part with a favorite item; and those who want to reduce, reuse, recycle.” –School Library Journal

 

“Breezy in style, they smartly stitch each scene of alteration as the not-so-little girl sashays through the days of the week and the seasons. A charming interpretation of an old story that will speak to young fashionistas.” –Kirkus Reviews

About this title

About the Author:

Boni Ashburn is the author of Hush, Little Dragon and Over at the Castle. She lives in Houghton, Michigan, with her four children. Visit BoniAshburn.com. Julia Denos is the acclaimed illustrator of Dotty, by Erica S. Perl. She lives in Quincy, Massachusetts. Visit JuliaDenos.com.

From School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 3—The protagonist of this delightful book is a young girl who has a favorite dress she wears on Tuesday, her favorite day of the week. When she discovers one morning that her "favoritest dress" is too short, she complains to her mother who tells her that instead of making mountains out of molehills, she should try making "molehills out of mountains!" Her mother turns the outgrown dress into a beautiful new ruffly shirt, which then becomes her "favoritest shirt" for her new favorite day of the week, Wednesday. The story continues until there are eventually just scraps left and the girl uses them to make a picture of the original dress that she can enjoy every day. This upbeat story will resonate with young listeners who share a fondness for a particular piece of clothing. The rhythmic narration of Bahni Turpin brings the bubbly tale to life. VERDICT Fun and engaging, this will resonate with children of all ages. Recommended for public library collections.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY

About this edition

• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1419700162
• ISBN 13: 9781419700163
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Denos Julia