Picture Books

6 Stylish Books for Kids Who Like to Play Dress-Up

One of my favorite fashion quotes is from the designer Kate Spade, and it goes: “As far as I’m concerned, ‘playing dress-up’ begins at the age of five and never truly ends.” How true! As an adult, I still love trying on fancy dresses and sashaying around my apartment, probably as much as I did as a child. The fantasy world you can visit by trying on new and outlandish outfits is an easy way to escape your ordinary life for a little while. Playing dress-up is also a great way to inspire your kids to step away from their screens and use their imaginations! So in this spirit, here are six fabulous books for young readers about kids who like to play dress up!

Fancy Nancy

Fancy Nancy

Paperback $21.36 $24.99

Fancy Nancy

By Jane O'Connor
Illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser

Paperback $21.36 $24.99

Fancy Nancy, by Jane O’Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser 
Any young reader who likes to play dress-up is sure to find this best-selling picture book series simply divine. When you’re fancy but come from an ordinary family, what’s a fabulous girl to do? Your stylish reader will probably agree with Nancy that lace trimmed socks help you play soccer better, and a princess always keeps her tiara on!

Fancy Nancy, by Jane O’Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser 
Any young reader who likes to play dress-up is sure to find this best-selling picture book series simply divine. When you’re fancy but come from an ordinary family, what’s a fabulous girl to do? Your stylish reader will probably agree with Nancy that lace trimmed socks help you play soccer better, and a princess always keeps her tiara on!

Cinderella

Cinderella

Hardcover $4.99

Cinderella

By RH Disney
Illustrator Ron Dias

In Stock Online

Hardcover $4.99

Cinderella, by RH Disney and Ron Dias
This classic fairy tale is perhaps the ultimate dress-up fantasy. Who doesn’t want a fairy godmother to transform your pumpkin (metro card) into a stagecoach for a night, turn your rags (yoga pants) into a fabulous ballgown, and maybe even along the way you’ll meet prince charming? Just hold on tight to your glass slippers, girls!

Cinderella, by RH Disney and Ron Dias
This classic fairy tale is perhaps the ultimate dress-up fantasy. Who doesn’t want a fairy godmother to transform your pumpkin (metro card) into a stagecoach for a night, turn your rags (yoga pants) into a fabulous ballgown, and maybe even along the way you’ll meet prince charming? Just hold on tight to your glass slippers, girls!

Birdie's Big-Girl Dress

Birdie's Big-Girl Dress

Hardcover $15.57 $16.99

Birdie's Big-Girl Dress

By Sujean Rim

Hardcover $15.57 $16.99

Birdie’s Big-Girl Dress, by Sujean Rim
What happens when Birdie grows out of her favorite dress that she was planning on wearing to her birthday party? Well she gets to try on and play dress-up with oodles more dresses! But when nothing Birdie tries on at the boutique feels quite right, she may just have to use her imagination after all.

Birdie’s Big-Girl Dress, by Sujean Rim
What happens when Birdie grows out of her favorite dress that she was planning on wearing to her birthday party? Well she gets to try on and play dress-up with oodles more dresses! But when nothing Birdie tries on at the boutique feels quite right, she may just have to use her imagination after all.

Paper Doll Dress-Up: Fashion Through the Ages

Paper Doll Dress-Up: Fashion Through the Ages

Paperback $14.95

Paper Doll Dress-Up: Fashion Through the Ages

By Georgie Fearns

Paperback $14.95

Paper Doll Dress-Up: Fashion Through The Ages, by Georgie Fearns
A paper doll activity book brings me right back to my childhood, in a fun way! This book is particularly neat because not only do you get to dress up your doll in gorgeous new frocks, you also get to learn a little bit about fashion history along the way. From the fashions of ancient Rome all the way to the 80’s (not my finest fashion hour, personally!) your aspiring designer will have a ball creating their own looks. You may just want to play along as well.

Paper Doll Dress-Up: Fashion Through The Ages, by Georgie Fearns
A paper doll activity book brings me right back to my childhood, in a fun way! This book is particularly neat because not only do you get to dress up your doll in gorgeous new frocks, you also get to learn a little bit about fashion history along the way. From the fashions of ancient Rome all the way to the 80’s (not my finest fashion hour, personally!) your aspiring designer will have a ball creating their own looks. You may just want to play along as well.

Shoe-La-La!

Shoe-La-La!

Hardcover $16.99

Shoe-La-La!

By Karen Beaumont
Illustrator Leuyen Pham

Hardcover $16.99

Shoe-La-La, by Karen Beaumont, Leuyen Pham
What fashionista doesn’t like playing dress up in brand new party shoes? Well the four stylish girls in this book certainly do! “Shoes with zippers, Shoes with straps, Shoes with buckles, Shoes with taps.” Sounds Shoe-tacular to me!

Shoe-La-La, by Karen Beaumont, Leuyen Pham
What fashionista doesn’t like playing dress up in brand new party shoes? Well the four stylish girls in this book certainly do! “Shoes with zippers, Shoes with straps, Shoes with buckles, Shoes with taps.” Sounds Shoe-tacular to me!

Disney Princess Dress Up: A Forever Sticker Storybook

Disney Princess Dress Up: A Forever Sticker Storybook

Hardcover $14.99

Disney Princess Dress Up: A Forever Sticker Storybook

By Disney Princess

Hardcover $14.99

Disney Princess Dress Up: A Forever Sticker Storybook, by Disney Princess
It’s almost impossible to avoid the princess mania that has swept the nation. So why not lean in, particularly if it involves a little fashion-centric creativity like this book does? This fun book (written by a Disney princess??) combines the classic stories young readers have grown up with, with an imaginative interactive element where readers can style their favorite characters with outfits from the stickers on each page.

Disney Princess Dress Up: A Forever Sticker Storybook, by Disney Princess
It’s almost impossible to avoid the princess mania that has swept the nation. So why not lean in, particularly if it involves a little fashion-centric creativity like this book does? This fun book (written by a Disney princess??) combines the classic stories young readers have grown up with, with an imaginative interactive element where readers can style their favorite characters with outfits from the stickers on each page.

What books do your fashion-forward young readers enjoy?