mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
A bit cute and a bit goofy. But also a bit bratty and repetitive and even too short. With just okay art.
circleofreadersdruid's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the repetition of what Ella Sarah wants to wear and how she stands up for herself. I think the book might have benefited from an extra page at the beginning explaining that it was a special day/event. It wouldn’t have revealed the big surprise that everyone was dressed equally as wildly and it wouldn’t have made Ella Sarah seem less tantrumy.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
Caldecott Honor 2004 - another one with a message. And another one that I am surprised won a caldecott honor. So interesting to see what committees chose.
uncle_remus's review against another edition
4.0
I read it to a kindergartner; she loved it. Why? Because it just like what kids her age do. They are beginning to know what they want, but do not have the vocabulary, or experience to explain why. This doesn't mean they are wrong. She could relate to Ella Sarah. It is a fun, silly and colorful book.
pandalovesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
While I like the message of letting kids wear whatever the heck they want to, I think this book slightly promotes throwing tantrums and constantly saying "no" and it's slightly problematic for a picture book.
calistareads's review against another edition
1.0
With the thousands of pictures books up for a Caldecott award, how in the hell did this book win one. Seriously. The art is bland and horrible and the story is simplistic at best. There is nothing to make this book stand out. I simply can't believe it won an Honor. Really. There were politics at play here.
I didn't like this so much, I didn't even read this to the kids. This is a waste of an award. I would have been much more kind to the book if it didn't win this award. I would have given it 2 stars.
I didn't like this so much, I didn't even read this to the kids. This is a waste of an award. I would have been much more kind to the book if it didn't win this award. I would have given it 2 stars.
raoionna's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely book about a little girl getting ready told in bright colors, in printmaking style illustrations.
sunflowerx's review against another edition
4.0
Margaret Chodos-Irvine’s picture book Ella Sarah Gets Dressed is a great example of a pattern book. When the reader is first introduced to Ella Sarah we find out that Ella Sarah is set on wearing a very specific outfit. To be exact, 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. No one in Ella Sarah’s family supports her outfit choice and they suggest multiple outfits as an alternative to what she wants to wear. After denying each suggestion, Ella Sarah is sure to let everyone know what she wants to wear, over and over again. Finally, Ella Sarah gets dressed and Chodos-Irvine’s illustrations of Ella Sarah’s friends in equally as silly outfits bring the story full circle. This book could be used in a lesson about patterns, and children would definitely stay engaged throughout it. Students could shout Ella Sarah’s outfit idea as the teacher reads it aloud.
konkie44's review against another edition
4.0
Caldecott winner about the importance of not letting others influence your decisions.