Ella Sarah Gets Dressed [Hardcover]

Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Caldecott Honor Book | Lexile Measure: 810L (What's this?)

Ella Sarah may be little, but she has a BIG sense of style--and it isn't at all like that of her mother, father, and older sister. Yet they all want her to dress just like them! Ella Sarah will have none of it--and when her flamboyantly dressed friends arrive, it's clear that Ella Sarah's favorite outfit is just right for her. Written and illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine, this spirited, Caldecott Honor-winning story
will gently nudge young children toward independence--providing plenty of exuberant colors and patterns to identify along the way.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-In typical toddler fashion, Ella Sarah has her own ideas about what she should wear and persists in her choices despite her family's suggestions. "Her father said, `That outfit is too fancy. Why don't you wear your yellow T-shirt with white shorts, and your tennis shoes?'" Ella Sarah replies with what becomes her refrain. "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!" At the end, her equally "well-dressed" friends arrive for a tea party. The larger-than-life family members tower over Ella Sarah, with only their torsos and legs showing. The exuberant illustrations, "created using a variety of printmaking techniques," dance and tumble across the pages, adding emotion to her refrain. The vibrant yellows, oranges, pinks, and purples work together surprisingly well-Ella Sarah doesn't look as shocking as one would imagine. This should be a hit at storytime or for one-on-one sharing.
Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* PreS. Young Ella Sarah is a kid with flair, and she has a special outfit in mind: "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." Mom, Dad, and Big Sister offer alternate ensembles, complaining that Ella Sarah's outfit is "too dressy" and "too silly," but Ella Sarah insists on her own choice and finally manages to pull everything on. Then the doorbell rings. In walks a crowd of Ella Sarah's young friends, dressed in equally flamboyant clothes, and the glamorous kids enjoy a tea party. With minimal words and her signature art marked by bright, bold prints, Chodos-Irvine perfectly captures a universal childhood struggle. Preschoolers will enjoy chanting along with Ella Sarah's often repeated list of clothing, and the illustrations create strong mood and movement with just a few opaque shapes, beautifully conveying Ella Sarah's gestures, from pre-tantrum stuffed-animal tosses to the wrestling war of getting dressed to her smug tea pouring at the story's end. Young children will easily see themselves in Ella Sarah's fierce defiance, and they'll delight in her gleefully bold fashion statement. A perfect read-aloud for the dress-up crowd. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152164138
• ISBN-13: 978-0152164133
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Caldecott is for illustrations October 28, 2004

By Turquoise Skunk

Format:Hardcover

The reviewers who complained about why this book won the Caldecott Medal may not be aware that the Caldecott is given for the illustrations. Certainly, the outstanding illustrations in this book qualify it for the medal, even if the story isn't the most original. I love the colorful printmaking and the accurate depiction of a toddler's behavior. Not all books have to teach a moral lesson.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Ella Sarah! November 16, 2004

By Teresa H.

Format:Hardcover

I adore Ella Sarah. Other reviewers are right that Ella Sarah does throw a mild tantrum in the book. I personally think it's a great tool for teaching toddlers. Ella Sarah clearly expresses what she wants (a list my 2-year-old daughter knows by heart), and when she is not supported in her wishes by her family members, she goes ahead and dresses herself. I personally think it's a lot better when a toddler can list off exactly what she wants to wear, rather than throw a incomprehensible fit. I adore Ella Sarah (and my daughter does too), because she is an independent, communicative and creative little girl!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars lizzy loves it July 31, 2005

By Barbara H. Nigra

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My grandaughter has had color preference since birth. This book is among the "bed books" when she sleeps at MeMas'. Ella knows what she likes and sticks to her guns. The rest of the family has a different opinion - but honor hers. Ellas friends "get it too". Toddler validation. Who can argue?

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ella Sarah: What She Ought To Wear.... March 28, 2004

By Julie Jordan Scott

Format:Hardcover

Ella Sarah is a young woman with a mind of her own... a very young woman with a mind of her own.

This brightly bold picture book reflects the personality of the protagonist. Everyone else gives her "their wisdom" and seems to forget Ella Sarah has a vision all her own.

At the end, Ella Sarah follows her heart and wears exactly what she wanted to all along.... and then her friends who know and cherish her exactly as she is arrive and.... well, its a loving, bright and bold ending as well.

Your children will love this, especially those who are bold, bright little ones who have their own strong fashion opinions.

16 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fashionistas start young, it seems. June 7, 2004

By E. R. Bird HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

To the bafflement of most of the knowledgeable children's literature world, "Ella Sarah Gets Dressed" garnered itself the prestigious and highly sought after Caldecott Honor Award in early 2004. It beat such potential contenders as Peter Sis's, "Tree of Life" and Gerald McDermott's, "Creation", both far worthier (in my humble opionion) winners. This isn't to say that the book is bad. As a charming tale about a stubborn toddler and her intense desire to wear the clothing of her own choice, the book is sweet and good-natured. Just the same, I was amazed by its reception.

As far as the plot goes, it's fairly basic. Ella Sarah plods around the house in her sheep pajamas, a floppity stuffed animal (with the nose and mouth of a martini glass) accompanying her wherever she goes. Right from the start, our heroine knows exactly what kind of clothing she would like to wear. Says she, "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". Her mother complains that the outfit is too dressy. She suggests an alternative, which is met with Ella Sarah's reiterated desire. Her father says it's too fancy and she repeats her outfit (this time accompanied by a very realistic tantrumesque stamping on the floor). Her older sister says it's too silly and offers some clothes she's outgrown. Now the stuffed animal goes flying, as Ella Sarah proclaims her perfect outfit for the last time. Carefully she dresses herself in the colorful eclectic ensemble. When the doorbell rings we see that her friends are just as snazzy as our intrepid heroine. And with that, the four friends sit down to tea and donut holes. It is a colorful sight....

Cute plot all right, but it's the illustrations that really take your breath away. Using a kind of paper cutout style (the publication page is a little unclear about this, content to merely call the process, "a variety of printmaking techniques") everyone is presented with a series of rounded colorful forms. We never see the heads of Ella Sarah's parents or older sibling, which makes perfect sense. After all, we're on a toddler's level with this book. No surprise there. Especially enjoyable are the printed backgrounds that make up the wallpaper, bedspreads, and rugs in this story. As for the outfit Ella Sarah eventually dons, it's a pip. If there is an award winning moment in this book then it is the two-page spread of the protagonist doffing a bright red hat. The hat is not only colorful, but also tilted at a rakish angle. It's just a quick moment of kiddie noir before we're back to the usual story.

Kids reading this tale will be inspired by it. It has the capacity to not only send a message like, "Just be yourself" but to also encourage kids to learn how to dress themselves. And heck, any kid with a wardrobe like Ella Sarah and her friends will probably want to learn how to dress forthwith. As you can see, this is a darling tale. It's not the most inspired or original in the world, but it has a very particular knack and charm to it that's adorable. A tale that will entice not only the parents of the world, but their kids as well. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for children who love dress-up March 13, 2006

By C. Mann

Format:Hardcover

My daughter (2 years old) really loves this book. It is fun, and has beautifully illustrated pages. The ending is surprising if you try to predict why Ella Sarah is getting dressed.

43 of 62 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a Particularly Great Teaching Tool September 10, 2004

By K. Overby

Format:Hardcover

While I will say that the illastrations were lovely, and the text paints a very cute picture of a stuborn yet cute toddler, I have to say that this book was put up high on a shelf and will not be read again any time soon. WHY? Because throughout the book, Ella Sarah gets her way by being consistantly disobedient to her parents and older sibling, and throws (in my opinion) a temper tantrum to get her way! but in the end her BAD behavior is considered "CUTE" because after all, its more important to express your individuality.

During the reading of this book to my toddler, I had to repeatedly stop and explain to him that he should never act in this way and he is much more likely to get his way by simply asking permission than by making rude demands, throwing his toys, and talking back to get his way.

It is very disappointing that a book like this received an acclaimed childrens literature award. The behavior that is portrayed and treated as acceptable (while it may be cute to Grandma) is not behavior I believe most parents would truly tolerate from their toddler.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars fun for toddlers, but one major reservation September 20, 2010

By Bibliophilic

Format:Hardcover

My children adore this book. I could read it 10 times a day and they'd be happy. They now really dig tea parties (the non-political kind), too. However, I find that the very realistic toddler is a bit too chutzpadik, plus the other family members are strikingly domineering. My husband actually uses the book as a counter-illustration of proper ways to handle anger and disagreements! If my kids didn't enjoy this book so much, I'd probably give it a 3, but the gorgeous illustrations and repetitive text really engage them. Plus that last page is a hoot.