Messes of Dresses

At first, Gittel felt perfectly satisfied with what she had. Living in a cheerful little house, she didn't mind owning just a few special things and having only two dresses to wear. Until a new friend came to her door With dresses and dresses and dresses galore! Gittel thought about dresses all night and all day She had no time for friends and no room to play. What will Gittel do when her new wardrobe starts to take over her house ...and her life? This entertaining book underscores an important lesson that all parents want their children to learn: uekjc jnav rhag uvzht "Who is rich? He who is satisfied with what he has!" (Avos 4:1) With fun rhyming verses and hilarious full color airbrush illustrations, Messes of Dresses is sure to become a family favorite!

Messes of Dresses is a clever, rhymed story illustrating a passage from Pirkei Avot. "Who is rich?" our sages asked. "One who is satisfied with what they have." In this story, the main character, "sweet, sunny Gittel" lives in a tree with only one dress to her name. She is happy, friendly and involved with others. Gittel's friend, Sara Saks, is appalled by Gittel's deficient wardrobe. Sara proceeds to buy Gittel many new outfits. Now Gittel becomes so obsessed with her clothes that she has no time for friends or other activities. Finally, she rids herself of her newly acquisitions. Recommended for reading aloud to early childhood groups.

It is unquestionably the cute rhyming verses which give this book so much charm for 3 to 7 year olds. But there is a serious lesson to be learned by little girls who read this book. Gittel has her own house which she takes care of, and she enjoys having only two dresses to wear. Then a friend introduces her to the luxuries of many dresses until they are so plentiful they occupy all her time and energy. Finally, Gittel learns her lesson. In the meantime, the colorful airbrush illustrations by Tova Leff will cause any young lady to giggle and laugh. The lesson Gittel learns will make little girls better appreciate what they have and can't have in a simple to understand way and how possessions relate or don't relate to one's happiness in life. The idea is imaginative and the style is charming.