Ella Sarah Gets Dressed

by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Children's book review by Steve Barancik

Ages 2-5

A book about getting dressed and dress-up

Ella Sarah wants to wear what Ella Sarah wants to wear! It's a feeling any toddler can relate to.

"I want to wear my pink polka-dot pants,
my dress with orange-and-green flowers,
my purple-and-blue striped socks,
my yellow shoes,
and my red hat."

Who wouldn't?

Mom has different ideas. So does Dad, and big sister as well. But Ella Sarah stands her ground.

She puts on her outfit. She looks at herself in the mirror. She thinks she looks fabulous. In fact--

Ding Dong!

(That's Ella Sarah's doorbell.)

Her friends are here! She rushes to answer...

And they're dressed just as fabulously as she is!

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed

Sorry. I just told you the whole story. With a story as simple as this one, it's hard not to. But as with any good children's book, there's more going on here.

Ella Sarah gets her way. Ella Sarah turns out to be right; her outfit was perfect for the tea party she and her friends had planned.

Being right and getting one's way are experiences most toddlers can't (and don't) get enough of. In fiction, they can experience it vicariously. They can triumph.

That's why if you're trying to instill a joy for books and reading, you could hardly do better than starting your child off with Ella Sarah Gets Dressed.

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