Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

 

Title: Ella Sarah Gets Dressed 

Author: Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Illustrated: Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Genre:Fiction, Picture-book, Children's Literature

Major Awards: Caldecott Medal

Ages: 4-5 Years old

Summary:

This story is about a little girl, named Ella who is not like her sister, or her mother. Instead, she is herself because she knows exactly what she wants to wear. One morning, Ella wakes up and she knows she wants to wear her pink polka dot pants, her dress with orange and green flowers, her purple and blue striped socks, her yellow shoes and her red hat. However, Ella's mother did not like her idea of outfit choice because she thought it would be too dressy and her outfit would not match at all. Ella's mother gave her the choice to wear a blue matching dress with white sandals, but Ella still refused to wear the outfit her mother picked for her. Then, came Ella's sister to offer a different outfit choice as well, but Ella still refused to wear a different outfit other than the outfit she wanted to wear at first. So, Ella went to her closet and picked the outfit she wanted to wear, and put it on on herself. When Ella looked at herself in the mirror, she thought it looked just right. Then, Ella's friend came to her house and they all enjoyed a cup of tea together. 

Book Evaluation:

1) I would recommend this book to my students because I believe many kids, especially the younger ones would be able to relate to Ella. I love how this book can give the message in that being different and unique can be a good trait.

2) I would recommend this book for the grade level Pre-Kinder to Kindergarten.

3) I would use this book in the unit of Language Arts. I would read this book in a dress up school event. I would give them the choice to dress up and share their outfit to the class. Then, I would use Ella's story to explain what matching is, different colors are, and order is.