I Had a Favorite Dress

"Endearing picture book." --Wall Street Journal
"Will speak to young fashionistas." --Kirkus Reviews
"What could have been yet another example of kindergarten consumerism instead becomes one of resourcefulness and resilience." --Pamela Paul, New York Times

Open up a fresh and stylish story for girls and boys about growing up and keeping hold of your favorite memories. This is a lively, energetic story about adjusting when you need to and being creative when you have to.

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. The collaged mixed-media full-color illustrations of watercolors, graphite, colored pencil, and needle and thread give this unique and charming story its bounce and flounce. Breezy in style, the artwork smartly stitches each scene of alteration as the not-so-little girl sashays through the days of the week and the seasons.

This modernized version of a traditional folk tale will delight new audiences of parents and children who will learn that everything old can really become new again.

Author: Boni Ashburn
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Published: 08/01/2011
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.92lbs
Size: 10.87h x 8.82w x 0.47d
ISBN: 9781419700163
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 145816 / I Had a Favorite Dress


Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Cybils - Finalist


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2011
School Library Journal 08/01/2011 pg. 67
Publishers Weekly 08/08/2011
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2012 pg. 17 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

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.