Dress I'll Wear to the Party

Playing dress-up has never been so much fun. Through cumulative text and rebuses, this upbeat picture book traces a girl's elaborate preparations for a party--from putting on shiny shoes and a fancy hair ribbon to adorning herself with earrings, perfume and a handkerchief edged with lace. Readers are in for a surprise, too, as Neitzel cleverly conceals the fact that this is indeed dress-up until suddenly mother appears--``This is my mother who said, `Oh, dear!' '' She promptly removes each of the purloined items and sends her slip-clad daughter scurrying off to put on her own, more appropriate, party dress. Adding to the festive mood are Winslow's crisp illustrations (her rainbow of fashionable colors appears both playful and chic) and a clear design featuring generous white space. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)