A New Dress for Maya

I bought this book as a Christmas present for my friend's child--Maya. Of course, I had to read it first. The message behind this book is wonderful. I hope that Maya loves it, not just because her name is in the title but also for the lesson that it teaches.

This picture book subtlety suggests to children that it is important to be an individual and not always follow the crowd. The little girl learns the value of accepting her parents' decisions. They could easily purchase the dress for her; but Maya's mother chooses to make one for her. Maya, like many children, thinks that the "store-bought" dress is better than the homemade one! How wrong she is!The book is illustrated in beautiful watercolors; the characters are realistically drawn with expressive faces that add depth to the respective personalities. The author also has a balance of ethnic groups present at the party. This is an obvious attempt to promote racial tolerance - an asset to the storyline.The text is written with simple vocabulary. Children should be able to read this particular book with a minimum of assistance, if any.It is highly recommended for it tells a real story with concerns that face many youngsters.