Satisfying fashionistas

The sequel to Eleanor, Ellantony, Ellencake and Me (2003), author Cathy Rubin's curly-haired heroine, Ellie, needs to find the perfect dress. In The Perfect Dress for Me, Ellie is invited to her cousin Claire's wedding. The governor and the mayor will be there, but she has nothing to wear.

The 32-page book includes illustrations by Christopher Fowler and is the second in a series of Ellie adventures. A national book tour will run September through December of this year in New York, Los Angeles Denver, Miami, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, Miami and Raleigh, N.C., with space for additional cities.

During in-store visits, mothers and daughters are invited to wear the perfect dress. Prizes will be awarded for the best dress. Celebrities are also tied to the events as well as author visits to schools and children's hospitals.

In The Perfect Dress for Me from School Specialty Publishing, Columbus, Ohio, Ellie is not afraid to take matters into her own hands after others' dress suggestions prove wrong.

The character shows young girls self-esteem and thinking for one's self, while still listening to their parents of course! In the first book, Ellie was Eleanor, until she decided Ellie suited her better.

“As a parent, we have so little time to make a difference,” says Rubin. “Helping kids build great self-esteem, teaching them good values and helping them to make the right choices is crucial in the early years. The child that has the inner strength to be a caring, creative, resourceful and independent thinker is the emotionally healthy child. I hope parents see Ellie as the best kind of role model for their children.”

Keep an eye out for additional Ellie adventures, including a story where Ellie visits China, holiday story and a new addition to Ellie's family later this year into 2006.

Author Rubin is working on a new series about two characters from different backgrounds, which will appeal to boys as well as girls.