Brave Irene by William Steig

Steig, William. Brave Irene. New York City: Sumburst, 1986.

The fictional story begins as Mrs. Bobbin, a dressmaker, puts the final touches on a gown that she has made for the duchess. The dress was intended to be worn that night, but Mrs. Bobbin feels too ill to make the delivery. Her daughter Irene insists on making the delivery herself, even though that means battling a snow storm. Although she wants to give up numerous times, Irene keeps going and eventually reaches the palace. The duchess shows her appreciation and commends Irene for her bravery. The next day, Irene is returned home in a sleigh where she finds her mother fully recovered.

Steig tells this enchanting story to demonstrate the universal theme of determination and persistence. He writes about a young girl who went against all odds just to please her mother. Through Steig’s illustrations, the reader can see her range of emotions. She begins excited, but throughout the pictures, her frustration becomes more obvious. Steig includes the Wind, her opposition in the cold. He even gives the Wind its own voice, which seems to be the voice inside Irene’s head, urging her to return home. The colors and lines are appropriately soft, especially outdoors. Steig created the text to surround the picture, so that most of the page is focused on his illustrations. By doing this, he creates a story suited for all readers. Overall, Brave Irene contains a message on perseverance, a message that is relevant to everyone.