Ella Sarah Gets Dressed (by Margaret Chodos-Irvine)

Ella Sarah knows exactly what she wants to wear: pink polka-dot pants, a dress with orange and green flowers, purple and blue striped socks, yellow shoes, and a red hat. Her family tries to persuade her to wear a more conventional outfit, but she absolutely refuses to wear anything that they suggest. Ella Sarah has a clear idea of how she wants to look and she is determined to have her own way. Later, her young friends arrive for a tea party and all are attired just as zanily as Ella Sarah. She is happily vindicated.

Simply and delightfully told, the story will resonate with preschoolers and their families. Every parent and older sibling will recognize Ella Sarah's struggle between dependence and independence, and applaud her family's decision to give Ella Sarah a little growing room.

Bold pastel colors in attractive patterns are applied in a variety of printmaking techniques to create a sunny background for Ella Sarah's dressing drama. This is a typical preschool situation illustrated in an unusual and beautifully original style.

Author: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Illustrator: Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Publisher: Harcourt Brace
Publication date: February 1, 2004
Number of pages: 32
Hardcover price: $16.00