by Robert Tregoning
illustrated by Pippa Curnick 
 
Winner Indie Book Awards for Picture Books 2024
“It hung in the window of Second-hand Thread,
All glowing, all flowing, all dazzling and red…”
 
A boy and his mum walk past their local second had shop. A sparkly red dress winks and twinkles at the boy. It makes his heart do a disco dance; he wonders who wore it in the past; he wants it, so, so badly. The tag is £25. Mum says perhaps if he does enough chores he might get enough money. So he sets to work car washing, leaf sweeping, dog tail brushing. Will he finally get the dress of his dreams? 
 
The singsong rhymes led themselves well to the gentle and embracing message about expressing yourself freely and beyond gender stereotypes. There is also some refreshing ‘messaging’ about economic means and a challenge to our culture’s obsession with instant gratification: here, a child patiently works and saves up for something they desire. ‘This is completely adorable. Apart from the lovely illustrations and delightful rhymes, it is full of wit, very touching and almost unbearably suspenseful. Oh, and it’s about a boy who wants a sparkly red dress. And his mum who loves the bones of him. Perfect’  (Mark Jennett, Equalities Trainer/Consultant, LL reviewer). Age 4-7, Paperback 30pp
 
Themes: Gender Equality