Brave Irene is Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker's daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn't feeling so well and can't possibly deliver the beaut...
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Jan 21, 2011
Eddie
rated it: 
Almost experimental in its adherence to tedium, as a good 2/3rds of the book is dedicated to Irene's monotonous trek through a snowy forest to deliver her sick mom's handmade gown to the duchess in time for the ball; no supernatural intrusions, no animals, no mythic nomadic hunters, nothing, just Irene sruggling against the elements page after page; the sun goes down and the snow goes from white to grey (my daughter points at the greyly depicted nocturnal snow and calls it mud), the gown is blow
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Jan 08, 2009
Chandra
rated it:
Irene is a little girl who risks her life in a snow storm to deliver a fancy dress to a wealthy duchess. Does that strike anyone else as a little odd? The message of bravery and devotion is nice, but the story was just okay for me. It isn't even in the same ballpark as Steig's Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
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Jan 18, 2012
Amanda
rated it: 
First Impressions: I’ve known about Brave Irene for a long, long time and I was so happy to have the chance to review the audio book. I can remember reading Brave Irene, along with many other books written by William Steig back when I was growing up. To me, it is a classic story that teaches good morals to young girls and I will definitely be reading it to my own children one day. Not to mention, this audio book is narrated by Meryl Streep who is one of my all-time favorite actresses. Everything
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Nov 22, 2011
Mary
rated it:
Brave Irene
"An extroadinarily eloquent story about love and courage" - The New Yorker
The Duchess eagerly awaits the delivery of her ball gown by Irene's mother, Mrs. Bobbin, but the seamstress is sick in bed and can't possibly deliver the gown in time.
Enter Brave Irene! Through a ferocious snowstorm and deliberately treacherous winds, Irene sets out to save the day for her dear mother (who smelled like fresh-baked bread to Irene).
Most would tur More...
"An extroadinarily eloquent story about love and courage" - The New Yorker
The Duchess eagerly awaits the delivery of her ball gown by Irene's mother, Mrs. Bobbin, but the seamstress is sick in bed and can't possibly deliver the gown in time.
Enter Brave Irene! Through a ferocious snowstorm and deliberately treacherous winds, Irene sets out to save the day for her dear mother (who smelled like fresh-baked bread to Irene).
Most would tur More...
Sep 27, 2011
Brave Irene by William Steig is one of determination. A young girl offers to take a dress her ill mother made to the duchess through a winter storm. Even through the struggles and challenges she faces against the elements of the storm (the wind, day turning to night) she never gives up. It is a heartwarming story of courage that many can relate to when it comes to overcoming adversity. Steig did a wonderful job illustrating the text. Most of the story takes us through her wintery adventure,
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Dec 18, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Well, hmm, this book is sort of weird. I saw it on a shelf at the library and I liked the cover illustration and so I gave it a try.
I did like the pictures. My favorite is of Irene by the fire eating and the two dogs looking at her, and most of the outdoor scenes, but all of the illustrations were ones I’d have loved as a kid, including all the details of Irene’s and her mother’s house and the palace interior and people also.
But why the heck doesn’t the duchess send her peopl More...
I did like the pictures. My favorite is of Irene by the fire eating and the two dogs looking at her, and most of the outdoor scenes, but all of the illustrations were ones I’d have loved as a kid, including all the details of Irene’s and her mother’s house and the palace interior and people also.
But why the heck doesn’t the duchess send her peopl More...
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Apr 26, 2010
Josiah
rated it: 
Here is a true classic, a book that I'm sure has been weaved into the fabric of countless childhoods all across the United States and all over the world, too. Brave Irene was read to me more than once during my first few grades in school, and I remember the exciting storyline in vivid detail, with unflappable, determined Irene setting off to deliver her mother's package to the duchess in time for her party.
Irene Bobbin is the kind of girl that one can't help but cheer on to success More...
Irene Bobbin is the kind of girl that one can't help but cheer on to success More...
Nov 28, 2011
Lenore
rated it: 
I needed a break one evening so College Girl took over bedtime duties. She also was trying to keep up with her school work too. If you have kiddos you know that reading a book is not always a quick read and tuck into bed. So College Girl pulled out "Brave Irene" which is both a book and story read on CD. I loved listening from my room as Meryl Steep told the story of Irene Bobbin delivering the duchesses ball gown to her through a horrid snow storm to help her mom the dressmaker.
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Jul 05, 2010
Robert
rated it:
I enjoyed the story until Irene made it to the Duchess' house. At that point the story was predictable and boring. Up until then, the language was rich, and I expected the unexpected.
Denise recommended this book. We are going to read it as the anticipatory set for a writing activity we will be doing. The plan is to read up until the gown blows away. Students will summarize the story at that point. Once satisfied, we will re-visit the story as the launch of speculative writing, More...
Denise recommended this book. We are going to read it as the anticipatory set for a writing activity we will be doing. The plan is to read up until the gown blows away. Students will summarize the story at that point. Once satisfied, we will re-visit the story as the launch of speculative writing, More...
Apr 08, 2010
Ronyell
rated it:
“Brave Irene” is a beautiful book from the brilliant mind of William Steig and is about how a young girl named Irene decides to take the duchess’ newly made gown through a ferocious snowstorm after her mother becomes extremely ill. “Brave Irene” is surely a classic story about the true meaning of courage that will entice children to definitely read this book.
William Steig has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing the story. William Steig’s writing is full of dra More...
William Steig has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing the story. William Steig’s writing is full of dra More...
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Jan 17, 2011
Candice
rated it:
I was introduced to William Steig's books when my daughter was little, and I think they are wonderful, mostly because of the language. Reading William Steig expands a child's vocabulary. This is not my favorite of his books, but it is an enjoyable tale of a brave and loving little girl who goes through a snowstorm to deliver a ball gown made by her seamstress mother (Mrs. Bobbin - love the name!) to the duchess.
Feb 04, 2011
Jill
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There is no pretending here. Irene's task is hard. It isn't easily solved through the magic of storytelling. She struggles. She wants to give up. But she remembers her mother. She remembers the hard work her mom put into the dress she's delivering to the duchess. She keeps going. I kept thinking the author would create an easy path for her, a magical guide to show her the way.
I. Love. This. Book.
I plan to buy it and read it to my kids as often as they'll let me.
I. Love. This. Book.
I plan to buy it and read it to my kids as often as they'll let me.
May 03, 2011
Meg
rated it:
A female heroine braves the cold as her mother, a dressmaker sends her on a mission through a blizzard to distribute a dress to the duchess. The emotion depicted in the illustrations as well as the eloquent wording brings children on an adventure full of problem-solving, courage and strong will. It's quite a long read aloud, but children will deliberate and narrate the strife that the main character encounters along the way...
Apr 09, 2011
Deanna
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What a book to read to students! If I did word of the day in my classroom, I would definitely read this book on the day we learned what perseverance meant. The message is so good, as we all need to be reminded even when we think things are not working out as we had planned, something great always comes out of a situation if we look hard enough to find it.
Jun 13, 2009
Lesley
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The classic story remains very charming! While I can't imagine a child being allowed to make the dress delivery trip in a snow storm in real life, it works in this story, and the illustrations are so cute! I love the facial expressions of the people throughout the story. Fun read, even after all these years!
Jul 26, 2009
Family
rated it:
This is a fairly long picture book. Irene must make a journey to deliver a dress made by her mother. she battles the swirling wind and falling snow. Ella didn't make it through the first time before falling asleep, but then we read it many times. She also loves Dr. DeSoto.
Feb 03, 2009
Cyndi
rated it:
Another great "snow" book. Irene is full of sweetness and determination. A little serendipity helps her find a happy resolution. I love how Steig pauses to ask the reader, "Would you like to hear the rest?" My daughter responds enthusiastically every time.
Jan 25, 2012
Vicki
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Can Irene, the dressmaker's daughter be brave enough to deliver the special dress her sick mother made? Can she find her way through the blizzard and wind? Will she surrender to the storm and tough it out? A great story to read aloud to older children.
Jan 25, 2012
Debbie
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If you need to talk about courage, this is the book for you. Irene is the bravest girl I know and ends up rewarded for her bravery. The vocabulary is awesome and the pictures are great at helping you to figure out the nuances of the characters.
Mar 01, 2009
Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!*
rated it:
omg i love this book ... my mom was just talking about it and i realized i hadn't rated it on goodreads yet. :D haha. this was one of my favorite books in ... like ... idk, first grade or so. such an amazing story; very exciting. :)
Jan 31, 2009
Sherri
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I love this book about a little girl and her mother...the audio with Meryl Streep reading it is especially great. The last line is my favorite: The Duchess tells the mom that Irene is so brave and of course, the mother already knew.
Dec 14, 2010
Acacia
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Brave Irene is about a young girl who is given the responsibility of delivering a dress to a duchess in time for the ball. The book uses many good words to describe Irene. I use this book to teach inferring characteristics.
May 11, 2010
Beth
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Mrs. Bobbin has made a wonderful dress for the duchess, but she is feeling too sick to deliver the dress. Irene helps her mother and despite the excessive snow and wind she delivers the dress. Her mother is so proud of her.
Mar 20, 2010
Danielle
rated it:
Brave Irene is a story about a little girl that wants to help her mother deliver a dress she made to the duchess. But, she gets caught in a snow storm and struggles to make it all the way to the palace. It ends happily.
Feb 24, 2010
Katie
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I used this book for my vocabulary lesson aimed at 2nd and 3rd graders. William Steig is a wonderful author because he uses such a rich vocabulary. This story is so simple but the wording makes it so much more enjoyable.
Apr 03, 2011
Christian
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Irene is a strong girl and this story proves just that. This is a great story to use with kids when they are facing difficulties. It can show them that with determination that most things are possible.
Aug 03, 2010
Sarah
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I like this story because it features an ordinary girl who rises to the occasion and does what needs to be done. It was one of our Summer Reading titles, though it is not very summery.
Dec 30, 2011
Ellie
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Elementary school-aged Ellie LOVED LOVED LOVED this book, so that's who this rating is for. Adult Ellie thought it was preachier than she remembered, but still a classic.
Feb 02, 2010
Miriam
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Awesome book!! It is filled with rich and vivid language that students could benifit from. Good for getting children to think about a story's plot, setting and characters.
