Editor, Neal Porter "TIME TO GET DRESSED! once more demonstrates Elivia Savadier's talent for capturing the complex relationship between parent and child, with both wacky humor and exquisite tenderness."

2007. Bank street College of Education. New York City. Listed as one of the "Best Books of the Year" in the Under 5 Category.

Starred review in May 15, 2006 issue of Publishers Weekly

Hot on the heels of her first solo effort, No Haircut Today!, Savadier has come up with another winner. The only one who's going to dress little Solomon is Solomon himself. "Me! " shouts the toddler whenever Daddy tries to help with an article of clothing. Solomon dresses with ingenuity as well as determination: when he can't get his pants on his chubby legs, he puts them on his head. As an alternative to inserting a foot into a sock, he slides it onto his hand, mitten-style. But with the minutes ticking away ("the big hand is on the six and the little hand is on the seven ..."), Daddy can play this game, too, and with a cry of "Me!" the parent manages to get Solomon dressed for breakfast--where another comic battle of wills gets underway. Savadier's pictures and dialogue once again showcase a gift for economy and humor, while key words (e.g., socks, shoes) appear in bold, crisp type. Her two-man cast is inspired: Daddy, a well-upholstered man with thinning hair and patience, is every bit as funny in his contortions and expressions as his stubborn offspring (with a similarly underdeveloped pate). Savadier's watercolor-and-ink drawings exude the same elegant fluidity as in her previous book, but the work feels tighter here, her observations more firmly tethered to domestic reality. Readers' laughs will be just as abundant as the glee of Solomon's final, cereal-soaked triumph. Ages 1-4.(Apr.)

May/June 2006 issue of The Horn Book Magazine A wall clock shows the minutes ticking by as Solomon, who likes to dress
himself ("ME!"), wrestles various articles of clothing away from his dad.Half an hour later, Solomon is dressed, sort of. Pants on his head, a sock on his hand, and a shoe tied around his ankle, Solomon may look silly, but he's one happy guy. Daddy points to the clock, though, and now it's his turn to say "ME!" Having had his turn, Solomon lets Dad re-dress him, and then it's on to breakfast -- but guess who insists on feeding himself. Kids will
enjoy pointing out Solomon's mistakes; they'll also note that poor,
disheveled Dad (shirt buttons, tie, and belt undone) could use some help in the dressing department, too. Parents will appreciate the lighthearted but realistic view: Dad is patient with his toddler but not unfailingly cheerful, and his wry and weary facial expressions will amuse both readers and listeners. The curved lines and round shapes in Savadier's ink-and-watercolor illustrations, set against a clean white background, relieve the tension in this battle of wills. With their matching, nearly bald heads, father and son make a comic duo, each nicely taking turns leading the morning routine. J.M.B.

May 2006 issue of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Those who remember the rambunctious (Dominic) from No Haircut Today! will not be surprised that (an) independent-minded toddler is now insisting upon dressing himself. Dad offers help, but Solomon--whose adamant refrain of "ME" amplifies page by page--would rather don his own clothing. Solomon's creative if impractical sense of style will have even relatively inexperienced dressers chortling knowingly, as shirt goes on sideways, pants
go on head, socks go on hands, and shoes are tied by their laces to ankles. Meanwhile, the clock ticks on, and Dad must balance his desire to nurture Solomon's autonomy with the need to get him physically out of the door by the time the "little hand is on the eight." Solomon's repeated exclamations and periodic consultation of the wall clock aptly convey the harried and humorous process of getting ready for the day in a way that will amuse little ones and grownups alike. The book, however, ultimately belongs to
Solomon, and ends with him standing outside, arms outstretched triumphantly, tousled head uncapped, and feet solidly planted in his hat. The simplicity and subtlety of Savadier's watercolor lines belie a surprising range of motion and emotion; her peachy palette livened with periodic bursts of yellow conveys the gamut of little guy blushes and flushes, while terse dotted eyes and button noses are artfully varied to express the full dynamic range of toddler/parent frustration and fondness. For those who appreciate
exuberant toddler spirit in the vein of Shannon's David (No, David!, BCCB 9/98), Savadier's Solomon will fit the storytime or readaloud bill. LG

April 1, 2006 issue of Booklist PreS. Baby Solomon must get dressed by 8 a.m., presumably so that Dad can drop him off at day care on his way to work. Crying "ME!" whenever bleary-eyed, disheveled Dad approaches to assist, Solomon dons his outfit in creative but untenable configurations. Intervention finally occurs when the "big hand is on the six and the little hand is on the seven," referring to the clock that tracks their progress. As in No Haircut Today! (2005), Savadier's doodly line-and-wash illustrations express the nuances of familiar parent-child interactions-Dad's devotion is clear as he awkwardly stoops to zip, button, and tie, and the flushed faces at book's end communicate frayed nerves more powerfully than any words. The time concepts
stressed here probably won't transform many toddlers into minute-minders, but the simple words and expressive pictures will elicit grins of recognition, especially among families acquainted with early morning marathons. Pair this with Margaret Chodos-Irvine's Ella Sarah Gets Dressed
(2003). -Jennifer Mattson

March 16, 2006 issue of Kirkus Reviews “Solomon likes to dress himself.” Thus begins an hour-long quest to get Solomon attired and fed. As Daddy presents each item of clothing, Solomon responds with, “Me!” At the end of the half an hour, Solomon has one arm through the sleeve of his shirt, pants on his head, a sock on his hand and a shoe tied around his ankle. Daddy, his own attire askew, helps Solomon put them in their proper places. But breakfast is a repeat skirmish. Patient Daddy gives Solomon another half hour to get the cereal in his mouth (on his hands, in his hair…), then ends it by helping Solomon put on outdoor wear. Repeated sentence beginnings will allow youngsters to chime in and feel like they are reading. Savadier’s watercolors are perfect. Lack of a background paired with minimal detail keep the focus where it belongs—on Solomon’s struggle for independence and on the interaction between a son and his father, wonderfully captured in facial expressions. A must for any collection catering to toddlers and their harried parents.

March 2006 issue of School Library Journal. PreS- Dressing a squirmy toddler can be hard work, especially one who says "ME!" as he dons each new piece of clothing. The results are of course, silly, in this fun take on a fairly common topic. Patient up to a point, dad finally takes over ( "Now it's getting late, so when the big hand is on the six and the little hand is on the seven...Daddy says, ME!") And then it's on to breakfast...Savadier's skillfully rendered watercolors use thick, supple lines and soft colors set against a lot of white space. With a rhythmic, lean text and charming pictures, this will be great for sharing, either in groups or one on one.Lauralyn Persson, Wiilmette Public Library, IL.

Artbook done in conjunction with the Jewish Museum in New York. U.S.A

Best Books. Best of the Bunch 2002; Assocoation of Jewish Librarians  U.S.A.

Notable Book / Older Readers  Publisher's Weekly September 30, 2002; Cahners  U.S.A.

Finalist: Children's / Young adult Literature  Jewish Book Council Awards 2002 /2003  U.S.A.

Notable Books for Older Readers  Sydney Taylor Awards   June 2003. U.S.A.

Some sketches from the book are on indefinite exhibit at The Jewish Museum in NEw York (Children's Floor)

5th Annual Best Books for Babies "Center for early Literacy    When typical toddler activities result in bumps and bruises ,Lulu, Andrew and Zuzu, know just what to do, as do their grown-ups. Medicine and band-aids are good, but kisses and hugs help to speed the healing"

Commended / Americas Award / Children's Literature. Another major prize is the America's Award, begun in 1993, Sponsored by the National Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP). The America's Award  honors engaging and authentic representations of Latin American and Hispanic experiences. In addition to annual awards, winners, and honorable mentions; the committee also issues an extensive list of commended books.

Nominee for Nebraska's Golden Sower's Award. " With lovely illustrations and delightful texts, these (nominated) Picture Books feature positive portrayals of Hispanic and Latin American children..strong images of these many cultures can make Hispanic and Latin American cultures feel admired and respected, while teaching non-Hispanic and non-Latin American audiences to appreciate these communities. Most importantly, these positive images can serve to remind us of the univesality of human life"  Compiled by Kay. E. Vandergriftland and Denis Agosto. 1995

25 Top Children's  Books for a Global Society  Boise State University/Idaho / out of 300 books chosen.as part of a program of the International Reading Association  "They (these books) help us develop empathy toward other people and places". Stan Steiner

School Library Journal "..paired with books like Carmen Santiago Nodar's "Abuelita"s Paradise" or even such old standbys as Helen Buckley's " Grandfather and I" this book will make a strong statement about cultural diversity and the Universality of love"
"Savadier’s watercolor cartoon illustrations are bright and clear, and stylistically reminiscent of Lillian Hoban”s work”

American Library Association." Inviting color illustrations portray the joy and tenderness that all family members share with each other"

Award Sydney Taylor/ 1997  "Storytellers, take note of this exemplary collection of traditional literature, the second collaboration between Jaffe and Savadier, and their second Sydney Taylor Award Book. Spirited writing/sparkling illustrations.." AJL / American Jewish Libraries.

School Library Journal. "An attractive and handsomely produced companion title to The Uninvited Guest. Eight stories: tales from Yiddish Folklore, Morocco, Palestine, and German Jewish sources have as their central character the biblical prophet Elijah",

The Boston Sunday Globe/Childrens Literature. "Among recent children's versemakers, Farber stood in a league of her own. The dangers of a night time chant are obvious, sentimentality and cliché head the list. But when it succeeds few forms are so quickly taken to heart.

Illustrator Elivia Savadier has not missed a playful nuance suggested by the text..her pictures flow, float, dive, sparkle and swim from one page to the next. She makes the transition from real bed to "foam be pillow for my head"and back again to thr real bed real room,and real sunlight with nary a hitch. The child is literally and figuratively pulled upward from ocean dreams to waking "on a morning shore"..by a device of art so clever it would be a shame to give it away."

Pick of the Lists: 1996 American Booksellers Associations.

Small Press. Kathleen Youmans. "..from one of the most popular authors writing for young children today, this timely and important message about young families reading together, is also a wonderfully warm and satisfying night time read. Children will appreciate the soothing quality..as well as the inherent sense of love, between parents and child, that shines through this book."

Children's Choice 1995 International Reading Association and Children's Book Council.

Booklist. "Lyrical text matched by the wit of the art"

School Library Journal "Startling contrast between the city and the beach is wonderful"

Pick of  the Lists  American Booksellers / Special Needs. Bookalogues/language arts vol. 73 "Elivia's enchanting watercolor illustrations help to create a mystical aura, one in which readers can glimpse both the depths of grief and the dawn of hope".

School Library Journal " An important addition to picture book collections... in the watercolor and pencil paintings, the dream/fantasy scenes are bright and abstract, while homey vignettes in softer more subdues tones evoke the love and the legacy the woman imbued in her family."

1994 Henry Holt and Company Las Nanas de Abuelita/Grandmothers Nursery Rhymes 

         Nelly Palacio Jaramillo /Elivia Savadier

Website Customer's Reviews: "I think this is just one of the best Spanish Picture Books for children. It's simple, but can teach a wide vocabulary for the bilingual toddler. I think you and your baby would have fun with this book. The pictures are colorful and interesting as well, unlike many Spanish books out there...this is a winner in my house!"

"I bought this book in the interests of my Spanish speaking nanny and my 15 month old boy. He is drawn to the pictures in this book. They are particularly appealing with their whimsical nature and bright colors.."

the Society of Illustrators in New York One piece of art selected for their "OrigianlArt 1995" exhibit

Award: Sydney Taylor Award 1993 Best Children's Picture Book. Jewish association of Libraries.

Notable Book Smithsonian Magazine 2000 www.childrenslit.com

 School Library Journal "Fine addition to folklore collections/lyricism of prose/liveliness of illustration"

 Kirkus Reviews"Handsome collection - illustrations reminiscent of Chagall and Brian Wildsmith"

Booklist "Dramatic.fabulous,clever and magical"

New York Public Library "Stunningly Illustrated"

New York Public Library "Fluid, Folk-inspired forms...loosely suggestive of Chagall"

Selcted for exhibit: One piece of original art by The Society of Illustrators in New York for their "Origianl Art 1993" exhibit.

Cape Cod Times "Outrageous illustrations..capture the colorful clash of fastidiousness vs. flamboyant, with Billy logging in on the fussy side of the fence."

Kirkus Reviews "Savadier makes a fine debut,,primitive style..richly glowing colors, monumental simplicity"