Title: Harlequin and The Green Dress
Author: Laura Fischetto
Illustrator: Letizia Galli
Publisher: www.randomhouse.com
Publication Date: 1994
Genre: Folktale
Audience: Gr. 3, 4, 5

Overview: In this Italian story, a maid named Columbine, wants to get into a ball, which she has not been invited to, in order to fall in love with Florindo. Florindo is a great man, but is not weatlthy. He is in love with Rosaura whose father will not let her marry Florindo because he is not rich. A few of the servants scheme so that Columbine will come as a replacement to Rosaura so Florindo can fall in love with her. They do this by giving Columbine the green dress that Rosaura is supposed to wear. In this silly story of hilarious characters, nothing seems to go as planned.

Activity: Have children draw and cut out a dress that they would have wanted Columbine to wear.

Reviewer’s Name: Camille McNeal