The dressmaker's daughter battles snow, cold and wind to deliver an evening gown to the duchess in time for the ball. Plucky Irene is a wonderfully determined character in a funny, melodramatic story. The black line drawings with full-color watercolor washes blanket pages with soft white snow against grey skies, truly evoking a sense of winter. (Ages 4-8)

This ebook includes audio narration by Meryl Streep.

This winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on as she ventures through a bitter cold snowstorm in William Steig's classic Brave Irene

Brave Irene is Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker's daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn't feeling so well and can't possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she's made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that's brewing-- quite an errand for a little girl.

But where there's a will, there's a way, as Irene proves in the danger-fraught adventure that follows. She must defy the wiles of the wicked wind, her most formidable opponent, and overcome many obstacles before she completes her mission.

Brave Irene is a 1986 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year.
Adapted into a short film in 1989 from director Daniel Ivanick.