THE GIRL AND THE DRESS

THE GIRL AND THE DRESS by Camille Andros. Illustrated by Julie Morstad

My girls have all had favorite dresses that they loved to wear when they were younger. They were dresses of sweet softness and roomy enough that movement was not inhibited. Adventures were not shied away from despite the fact that they were clothed in a dress. That is the heart of this beautiful picture book.

Once there was a girl from faraway Greece who wore a dress made by her mother. She loved the dress and the dress loved her. Day in and day out they followed the same routine, but they both long for an adventure that takes them out of the ordinary. That adventure comes when the family decides to immigrate to America. Upon arrival, the girl and her dress are unexpectedly separated. Both embark on journeys that lead them on their own adventure. However, a sweet twist at the end wraps this story up nicely.

This story is a great example of personification as the dress takes on the human qualities of caring and longing for adventure. For some children, this will be extremely delightful. For others, it may be a stumbling block as they struggle mentally to allow the dress to have these traits and therefore lose the thread of the story. I found it to be a beautiful way to share a story.

I have to add here a tribute to Julie Morstad and her gorgeous illustrations in The Dress and the Girl. They are captivating. I loved the liberal use of peach in the pictures that give a sense of sunrise on possibilities as this sweet girl and her dress set off on their adventures.