Birdie's Big-Girl Dress

PreS-Gr 1—When Birdie discovers she has outgrown her favorite dress, her mother takes her shopping for something new to wear to her birthday party. She tries on many beautiful frocks, but nothing feels right to her. Back home, Birdie explores the attic and finds a treasure trove of stylish outfits that had belonged to her grandparents. She and her dog piece together the perfect retro outfits—just in time to greet her friends. Birdie, whose eye for glamorous fashion was introduced in Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes (Little, Brown, 2009), is a cheerful child with a sleekly sophisticated mother who supports her daughter's exuberant spirit. The bright watercolor and collage illustrations of flamboyant clothing and colorful props are set against uncluttered white pages, evoking a tactile quality. This is an imaginative read that may encourage children to experiment with their own sense of fashion.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT