my son's second grade teacher read this to the class when they were comparing "pesky" words vs. "flashy" words and this book is full of GREAT words that second graders need to hear. sure she's a child in a messy situation but that's the deal in fairy tales. it's up to irene to get out of trouble on her own but she does it, in a mighty plucky fashion too!

At age three I started reading Brave Irene to my daughter. She is now nine years old and it remains her all time favorite book. Back then we would read it at least tree times a week or more. Still, Now every once in awhile, Annie comes to me and says " can we read Brave Irene together". The story is about a young girl Irene who seems to be maybe nine or ten years old. Her mother is a dressmaker and has made a gown for the dutches for her ball.Unfortunatley her mother isn't feeling to well and can't get the gown to dutches in time for the ball.Irene being a very responsible, carring, and BRAVE child,Wants to help her mom. So she takes the gown to the dutches. She has some problems along the way, But because of her love for her mother, she is determined to get the job done. I feel that there are many lessons this book can teach a child. The main one being,CARRING. Our first copy of this book is so worn out, I recently bought a new one..

I really enjoy reading Brave Irene to my little girl for several reasons. The language used by Stein is beautiful - it's such a marvellous book for introducing new and unusual words for pre-school children. It also provides such inventive descriptions - also great for showing how you can apply your imagination to words! I completely disagree with those who think it puts children in a position of danger. Rot! It's a fairytale - not a story of reality. And fairytales allow children to enter worlds they would never have the opportunity to do so in real life and allow them to be brave and go on amazing adventures - this is precisely what Brave Irene does and it does it so well. Irene is so plucky and so independent and solves problems so well! And she's a girl! So nice to have a "girl" hero like this! And most of all - my three year old loves Brave Irene - she gasps in the right places and cheers her on and marvels at her determination. Brave Irene has opened yet another vista of opportunity for my little girl's imagination and love of books. Well done William Steig!

I love "Brave Irene"! I read it during first grade and it's still one of my favorite stories.

Mrs. Bobbin, Irene's mother is a dressmaker. She just finished making this beautiful dress and she has to get it to the duchess, the person who ordered the dress, because the duchess was having a party. But Mrs. Bobbin is feeling sick, she has a headache and her head is hot. So Irene volunteered to get the dress over to the duchess's house, Mrs. Bobbin protested because it was snowing a lot outside. Irene sets out to deliver the dress to the duchess. She battles with the wind and snow, while carrying the big box, holding the gown but would she be able to get the dress over to the duchess's house?

The reason I love this book is because of the dedication and love Irene shows for her mom. Irene would do anything for her mom and I find that really sweet of Irene. I recommend this to everyone and I hope they enjoy it, even if it IS a children's picture book.

Brave Irene is a story about a little girl who risks her life to deliver a fancy dress to a royal in a snowstorm. Irene suffers terribly to do so. I do not think this is a good thing! I have a little girl and I would never allow her to put herself in danger for a stupid dress. I bought this book because of the other reviews...and because I also own Pete's a Pizza... a much better book by William Steig.