Birdie's Big-Girl Dress

by Sujean Rim

Overview

That night, Birdie dreamed of dresses--
fluttery floral sundresses...
lovely lace sheaths...
chic chiffon gowns...

In this follow-up to Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes, our favorite pint-sized fashionista is looking forward to a very BIG day--her birthday. But when Birdie tries on her favorite party dress, she realizes that - oh no! - it's too small. Mommy takes her to the boutique, where she tries on dress after dress, but Birdie realizes that none of these gowns will allow her to run and jump, make messes, and eat cake. Only when she takes a trip up to her favorite thinking place, the attic, does she realize that all it takes to find the perfect "Birdie dress" is a little imagination.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316210133
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	02/21/2012
Series:	Birdie Series
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Lexile:	AD560L (what's this?)
File size:	10 MB
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Sujean Rim has illustrated the Birdie series, as well as many campaigns for clients including Target, UNAIDS, Tiffany & Co., Bloomingdales, and more. Sujean lives with her family in New York. You can visit her online at sujeanrim.com.

Editorial Reviews

…Rim's exuberantly colorful illustrations provide just the combination of pretty, quirky and cute that first-grade girls like. And the message about recycling and self-expression is as welcome as a heaping bag of Mini Boden hand-me-downs.
—The New York Times

Pamela Paul

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

School Library Journal

A young fashionista finds the perfect fit.

Birdie steps away from trendy footwear (Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes, 2009) when she realizes her too-snug party dress simply won't do. This birthday girl models an array of choices at the nearby boutique ("fabulously frilly sundress," "lacy sheath" and "gauzy gown" included) but none feel "just like her." A return trip home and up the attic stairs reveals eclectic finery to suit the event—and her personality to boot. It's refreshing that Birdie's posh mom (her elongated figure emphasizes each sophisticated move) is far from rigid; this supportive parent encourages her daughter's mismatched ensemble, a hodgepodge of her grandpa's vest and bow-tie with flowing, boldly pattered skirt and whimsical, floral head-piece. As Birdie shimmies into each potentially restrictive outfit, Rim's illustrations capture each half-hearted shrug and sucked-in breath. Collage and watercolor accents lend a sensory feel to chromatic, textured design, though it's a pity the narration does not match the illustrations' or its subject's exuberance. The inclusion of Birdie's friends appears as an afterthought, but canine companion Monster remains a supportive secondary choice, dressed to the nines in his top hat to rave reviews ("Monster felt so... dapper!").

A modest call to individuality. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews