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A Fabulous Review – Nancy Bess Had A Dress

February 4, 2025 Claire Annette Noland Leave a Comment

I am so thankful for Barbara Gruener’s beautiful review on her blog, The Corner on Character. Take a look . . .

Title: Nancy Bess had a Dress
Author: Claire Annette Noland
Illustrator: Angela C. Hawkins
Publisher: Gnome Road Publishing
Birth Date: March 19, 2024
Suitable for: ages 5-8
Themes: recycling, creativity, history
Brief synopsis: When Nancy outgrows her favorite flour-sack dress, how many other uses for it can this young crafter concoct and create?
Opening page: Daddy needed a new hammer, Mama’s bucket had a hole, and the flour sack was empty. So, on Saturday, after chores, Nancy Bess and her family piled into the old truck and rattled into town.
Resources: 
 
Read reflections and a book review {here}.
Take a peek inside courtesy of Kathy Temean {here}.
Download the teachers’ guide {here}.

Watch the book trailer.

Why I like this book: My two favorite things are
1. the connection I feel to this charming story because
John’s mom, Ruby, once wore flour-sack dresses, and
2. the book’s captivating and mesmerizing illustrations,
complete with a mouse hiding in every scene.
Travel back to the Depression and meet Nancy Bess, a creative young lady, who finds joy the small things in life, like a trip in her family’s truck into town to pick out the flour sack which will eventually become her darling daisy dress. Thankfully, as she grows, she does her skill as a seamstress.
READ MORE ON THE CORNER ON CHARACTER >>

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Angela C. Hawkins, Barbara Gruener's Blog, Book Review, Claire Annette Noland, Gnome Road Publishing, nancy bess had a dress, The corner on Character

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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claireannettenolandbooks

Author | teacher | Field Trip Planner
books that take you places
Raven’s Gift
Nancy Bess Had a Dress
Evie’s Field Day
Out and About w George series

Attention Central Coast book lovers, kids, parents Attention Central Coast book lovers, kids, parents, teachers, and friends-
Enjoy the holiday spirit and meet 4 authors of books for children, infants to young adults!
Stories, book signings, cookies, and treats

Bring your friends!

Books make the best gifts!

@volumesofpleasurebooks 
@leewardlaw55 
@authorjejohnson
@scbwicencal
Grateful for family! #thanksgiving2025 #thursdayt Grateful for family!
#thanksgiving2025 
#thursdaythoughts 

@jeanne_muir @grant_muir @drake_muir @nicolearends @laurennolandhajik  @christinabeeghly @pcbeegs @roxannenoland @gn705 missing Mike and @lily_muir @nealmuir @livi_jonesss
Gathering Grateful is a warm and cozy celebration Gathering Grateful is a warm and cozy celebration of all the goodness of autumn with the change in season and the gathering together of family. The lyrical verse is deceptively simple and absolutely beautiful when paired with the gorgeous illustrations. Gather with those you love and share this beautiful book as you count your blessings.
@meganlitwinbooks 
@christinabeeghly 
@laurennolandhajik 
#thanksgiving2025
#worldkindnessday @laurarenauld @brigettebarrager #worldkindnessday 
@laurarenauld
@brigettebarrager
@mrernierecommends
“What does it mean to be kind anyway?” Is the ques “What does it mean to be kind anyway?” Is the question at the heart of this beautiful picture book which speaks right to a child’s heart. We certainly need kindness and let’s each do our part, no matter how small, and see how that kindness spreads. Thank you @patzmill and @jenhill for writing and illustrating this important book.
@roaringbrookpress
#thursdaythoughts
#worldkindnessday
Come on over to B&N this Saturday for a book fair Come on over to B&N this Saturday for a book fair supporting the Assistance League of Visalia’s literacy programs.
@alvisalia 
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“Try not to trip, protect foot and knee,
And never forget to respect my dear Sea.”

#tidepools 
#bookishfieldtrips 
#afieldtriplife
#kingtides high tide is 6.9 feet today Be careful #kingtides high tide is 6.9 feet today 
Be careful of the waves- they can sneak up on you.
Check out THE WAVE by Suzy Lee ( @chroniclekidsbooks 2008) a beautiful wordless picture book. So much emotion in the deceptively simple art.
King tides- I’ll be watching the ocean all day. #b King tides- I’ll be watching the ocean all day.
#bookishfieldtrips
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Hank is a collector –of hearts. Day after day searches for things shaped like hearts and then organizes and counts them until it becomes an obsession. He doesn’t want to share until, one day, he sees a girl who needs a heart. “Maybe just one,” he thinks…
This is such a wonderful book about generosity. The joyful, bright illustrations combined with the jaunty read-aloud text will have readers spending time examining each spread and asking for repeated readings. Perfect for all those kids who love to seek, find, and collect.
@mrernierecommends @cindyschrauben @littlepresspublishing @schadefoxart
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The authors notes give a great introduction to Dia de Los Muertos as well as information about cystic fibrosis  which the younger sister struggles with. The art is rich and wonderful and the coastal California setting is perfect!
@goraina #diadelosmuertosbooksforkids #middlegradegraphicnovels
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