Designed by Debbie
Debbie loves to draw and make her art into clothing. She also loves her dog, a corgi named Loki. When her class has a show-and-tell coming up, Debbie is driven to create something new.
When she realizes she does not have time to print her designs on fabric, she discovers that she can recycle her printed fabric scraps and old outfits to make something new for her and Loki.
Designed by Debbie is a beautifully illustrated story that shows the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Krystine Cabrera, 2025, 50 pages, Hardcover ISBN-13: 979-8987545454
Krystine Cabrera, 2025, 48 pages, Paperback ISBN-13: 979-8987545447
Purchase links: Amazon |
Reviews
A sweet read for a caregiver and a young child to enjoy together, or an older child (probably age 6+) to read themselves. "Designed by Debbie" features an ambitious (and perhaps precocious!) elementary-aged protagonist named Debbie and her devoted dog, Loki.
Every page blossoms with colorful and detailed illustrations. The illustrators, Tulip Studios, clearly wanted the scenes illuminated by natural sunlight. My favorite spread is pages 24-25 (Kindle page 16) when Debbie and Loki hug. I absolutely love the illustration style!
Something unique about this book is the GLOSSARY that defines words related to Debbie's endeavors, such as "silky," "sustainability," and even a newer word that parents may not be familiar with, "upcycling." This helps parents identify vocabulary that their children might not know, and develop their interest in sewing.
The is is EXACTLY the kind of story I wish I had growing up as a curious young girl. In my books from first through third grade, I chose to read about girls playing with fairies, or going to school, and even liking boys. But reading about a girl who liked to sew, as a girl who loved to make crafts myself, would have been eye-opening, educational, and inspiring. I highly recommend this book for any child who loves to create.
~ Nicole Cossi