Shy, quiet Wanda Petronski wears the same worn blue dress to school every day. When one of her classmates comes to school with a new and vibrant red dress, Wanda whispers that she has one hundred dresses at home in her closet. Wanda’s classmate, Peggy, quickly creates a new game, asking Wanda day after day about how many dresses and shoes she has. And then one day, Wanda doesn’t come to class. A few days go by, and Peggy’s best friend Maddie begins to feel sad and guilty about the way she and Peggy have teased Wanda. When Maddie and Peggy find out the truth about Wanda’s dresses, they also find a powerful lesson in generosity, grace, and forgiveness.

I really like the illustrations in this children’s book. They accentuate the story beautifully. And the message is a timeless and important one for all children. It holds up well from the original publication date in the mid-1940s.