The Dress in the Window is an uplifting picture book which celebrates self-expression and individuality. This fabulous story is full of love, acceptance and a magical sequin covered dress which is a character in itself, it steals the show in every illustration it appears in!
The Story: A boy is captivated by a red sequinned dress in a second hand shop window. Mom notices his fascination with the dress and tells him that he can have it if he saves up to buy it. The boy earns enough money by doing chores for his neighbours and on the afternoon of his birthday he rushes to the shop to buy the dress…
But the dress has gone!
Our affection for the boy grows as he imagines who has worn the dress before and how it would feel for him to wear it. His diligence and determination as he helps friends and neighbours with a variety of chores is admirable and we feel his loss when he returns to the shop with his hard earned money. The boy’s ever supportive mom comforts him and he arrives home to a houseful of friends and neighbours who want to celebrate his birthday with him and watch him open his presents…
(Spoiler alert – please don’t read on if you don’t want to know the ending!).
*
*
*
*
*
We guessed that Mom had bought the dress for the boy and love the way that she and the neighbours watch as he puts it on and dances with delight. Their support for the child’s wish to dress in a non gender conforming way is beautifully heartwarming and the celebration as he leaves the house and dances in the street is purely joyful.
The combination of the easy to read rhyming text and Pippa Curnick’s sparkling illustrations create a magical story. Including diverse characters, humour and the boy’s pet dog to spot on each page, they capture the highs and lows of the boy’s emotions as he dreams of wearing the amazing dress in the window.
Messages about accepting your own and others’ individuality are woven into this story of unconditional love and support. We love the way that although Mom supports the boy’s dream she doesn’t immediately offer to buy the dress but encourages him to save up for it. After experiencing the boy’s joy and excitement at the party we’re drawn into a loving hug from Mom on the final spread, it’s such a wonderful warm and happy ending 🙂
Age Range: 3 +
Author: Robert Tregoning / Illustrator: Pippa Curnick
Thank you Flyaway Books and Netgalley for the review copy of this beautifully uplifting, powerful story which has also been translated into French and Dutch.
Leave a Reply