The Dress and the Girl
What’s inside...
Featuring the lush illustrations of award-winning artist Julie Morstad, Camille Andros’s The Dress and the Girl is a stunning picture book about memory and the power of the items we hold most dear. A little girl and her favorite dress dream of an extraordinary life. They enjoy simple pleasures together on a beautiful Greek island. They watch the sunset, do chores, and pick wildflowers on the way home. One day, the dress and the girl must leave the island and immigrate to the United States. Upon arrival, the girl is separated from the trunk carrying her favorite dress, and she fears her dress is lost forever. Many years later, the girl—now all grown up—spots the dress in a thrift store window. As the two are finally reunited, the memories of their times together come flooding back. While the girl can no longer wear the dress, it’s now perfect for her own daughter—and the new journey of a girl and her dress begins. “Together, the carefully crafted text and gorgeous illustrations pair to tell a truly extraordinary tale. A delightful picture book with an important story to be told. Recommended for sharing again and again.” — School Library Journal, starred review
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Girl
The Mother
Discussion points
How did the dress make the girl feel when she wore it? Can you think of an item that makes you feel special?
Why do you think the girl kept the dress with her, even when they moved to a new place?
What emotions did the girl experience when she reunited with her dress? Have you ever reunited with something important to you?
How did the illustrations help tell the story of the dress and the girl?
What do you think is the main message of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their thoughts and connect personal experiences with the story.
Discuss the significance of the dress in the story, and relate it to a cherished object in your child’s life, enhancing personal connection.
Encourage your child to describe their feelings about key moments in the book, promoting emotional literacy and empathy.
Focus on the illustrations and ask your child to interpret them, enhancing their visual literacy and attention to detail.
Summarize the story together and discuss its main message, reinforcing comprehension and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: The story highlights the journey of a girl and her dress as they move from a rural setting to a bustling city, showcasing how they adapt to new environments and changes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and accept changes in their lives, such as moving to a new place or transitioning to a new school.
Example Lesson: Value of Memories
Explanation: As the girl grows older, the dress becomes a cherished memory of her childhood, teaching the importance of treasuring memories even as we grow and change.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to appreciate and hold onto fond memories of their own, which can provide comfort and a sense of continuity.
Example Lesson: Hope and Resilience
Explanation: The story conveys a message of hope through the reuniting of the girl and her dress after many years, demonstrating resilience in maintaining hope even in uncertain times.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of remaining hopeful and resilient in the face of challenges or periods of separation from loved ones.