Irene braves a snowstorm to deliver a dress to the duchess for her mother, a dressmaker.

Brave Irene is a cute story of a little girl full of tenacity that is not going to let a little snow storm get in the way of delivering a dress to a duchess. What is interesting about this book is that the vocabulary doesn't always seem to match the grade level, which I'd put at 2nd grade. This might look like a typical children's story, but on careful review, there are some words that don't seem to fit the level of this book; delirious and hastening just don't seem to fit the level this story would be most appropriate for. An enjoyable story, despite it small flaws. ( )

Viewed the video version by Scholastic.

Ages 4 and Up; Irene's mom has made a beautiful dress for the duchess, but then she's too sick to deliver it. Here comes Irene to the rescue! Irene offers to the deliver the dress to the duchess, even though there's a terrible storm she shouldn't go out in. After almost dying and losing the dress, Irene makes it to the humble home of the grateful duchess and is allowed to dance all night long with handsome royal men. The illustrations are typical of the author, but the story leaves much to be desired. Is Irene really brave to go out in the storm? To leave her sick mother? How could her mother, no matter how sick she is, let Irene wander around in a blizzard? To top it off, this story doesn't even have the excitement you might expect of a brave journey. The video version was pretty repetitive and I don't think it would interest today's children. Not recommended. ( )

Irene's mother has just finished a beautiful dress for a lady, but she is too sick to deliver it, so Irene braves a terrible snowstorm to make the delivery. Classic Steig illustrations done in pen and color. Several text-less double page spreads to follow Irene's expedition. The story could have been developed a little more, but it had a good message for pushing onward against adversity. A good read for all ages and well placed in any picture book collection. ( )

In this picture book, Irene braves a winter storm to deliver a gown hand-sewn by her mother to the duchess. Themes include determination and sacrifice for family. Steig's words and illustrations capture Irene's varying emotions extremely well. Steig manages to make numerous illustrations of a girl walking in the snow all expressive, interesting, and unique. This book would be a great addition to a school or public library children's collection. ( )