A Pattern for Pepper

by Julie Kraulis

Overview

From pinstripe to houndstooth, ikat to toile, join Pepper on her journey into the history of textiles as she works alongside a tailor to make her perfect dress.

Pepper is getting a dress made for a special occasion. It's the first dress that has ever been made just for her, and she wants it to be perfect. But what pattern is right for her? Pepper is particular, and nothing works at first. Dotted Swiss? Too plain. Houndstooth? Not enough color. Pinstripe? Too glum. As Pepper learns about each fabric, she finds a reason why it's just not the one. Will Pepper ever be able to find the perfect pattern?

Julie Kraulis takes readers on a journey through gorgeous patterns and their origins—from the mountains of Switzerland to the green grass of Scotland—in search of Pepper's ideal pattern. The incredible illustrations make for a dress, a character and a book that are impossible to forget.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101917565
Publisher:	Tundra
Publication date:	08/01/2017
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.70(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Author-illustrator JULIE KRAULIS lives and works in Toronto, but her heart belongs to the world. She developed her wanderlust growing up in a few different places, and her travels always bring new inspiration. Julie is a stop and smell the roses kind of gal who loves to create. This is her fourth picture book; she is also the author and illustrator of Whimsy's Heavy Things, An Armadillo in Paris and An Armadillo in New York. The author lives in Toronto, ON.

Editorial Reviews

One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (2018)

PRAISE FOR A Pattern for Pepper:

"Kraulis's delightfully sweet story is filled with information that will make young readers aware of the textures, seams, and patterns all around them." —Quill & Quire

"Might just inspire some new makers to try their hand at sewing and design." —School Library Journal

"A Pattern for Pepper, the latest picture book by author-illustrator Julie Kraulis, is a sweet story for young children, but it will appeal to readers and listeners of all ages." —CM Magazine


PRAISE FOR An Armadillo in New York:

"Utterly charming illustrations are softly rendered in graphite and oils that place this perky little traveler in iconic New York locales... Endearing and informative, this whimsical travelogue offers readers an inventive way to go touring." —Booklist

"The illustrations, rendered in oil and graphite, accurately capture the city's unique attractions with a sense of whimsy and delight. VERDICT Readers will vicariously experience all the city has to offer while eagerly anticipating Arlo's next trip. A lovely addition for most collections." —School Library Journal

"Kraulis' double narration forms a neat package, combining Augustin's enthusiasm with Arlo's reactions. A large-scale Arlo is always center stage in the illustrations, and the humans seem to be OK with this stranger in their midst. A fun trip to the Big Apple." —Kirkus Reviews


PRAISE FOR An Armadillo in Paris:

"Lovely oil and graphite illustrations done in a muted color palette capture the famous landmarks and romantic ambiance of the city. Arlo's adventure is delightful, and the story is told in both narration and excerpts from Augustin's journal. A page of facts about the Iron Lady is appended. A good purchase for a library collection in need of picture books about various locations around the world." —School Library Journal

"...Julie Kraulis's sophisticated oil-and-graphite artwork is chic, with elegant lines and a muted palette...Informative and charming, An Armadillo in Paris is sure to please armchair travelers who will eagerly await more of Arlo's globe-trotting adventures." —Quill & Quire

From the Publisher

07/01/2017
K-Gr 3—Pepper needs a dress for a very special occasion, and she and her mother visit Mr. Taylor, her family's favorite tailor, to have a special one made just for her. After taking her measurements, Mr. Taylor shows Pepper a variety of fabrics and tells her that fabrics are textiles and come in all sorts of patterns. He explains the origins of many different patterns such as herringbone, seersucker, tartan, toile, dotted swiss, and houndstooth. The artwork is absolutely lovely. Background illustrations in oil and graphite elaborate on the textual descriptions of each pattern. Eventually, Pepper decides on a pattern and helps Mr. Taylor design and sew a lovely paisley dress. VERDICT Although the narrow focus on textiles may limit the audience, the story will likely appeal to young readers with an interest in patterns, design, or fashion and might just inspire some new makers to try their hand at sewing and design. An additional purchase.—Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR

School Library Journal

2017-05-24
Mr. Taylor will make Pepper a very special dress for a very special occasion. There are so many wonderful fabrics from which to choose in this old-fashioned shop. Mr. Taylor is meticulous and measures Pepper very carefully before they begin discussing choices. He shows her many fabric designs, offering tidbits of information about their origins and describing their intricacies. However, Pepper turns each one down, declaring that it is not suitable for a special occasion. Her reasons are often based on a literal interpretation of Mr. Taylor's explanation. Tartans are used for clothing and bagpipes, but "Bagpipes are just TOO LOUD!" She rejects herringbone, houndstooth, argyle, toile, and more, before Mr. Taylor finds the perfect one. Then they sketch dress designs together and he sets to work with paper patterns, pins, and needle and thread. Her paisley dress complete, Pepper proudly wears it to celebrate Grandma's birthday with tea and croquet in the garden. All that information about textiles could have been dry and didactic, but Kraulis keeps it lively and filled with giggle-inspiring double meanings and puns. The oil-and-graphite illustrations in varying tones of blues and browns are perfectly suited to the tale, which has an old-fashioned sensibility that will charm modern young readers. Pepper, her family, and Mr. Taylor are all white. Sweet, inventive, and delightful. (sources) (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews