Publisher Description

Zoey's fashion sense goes to the dogs--in the best possible way! Includes "Sew Zoey" blog posts and fashion illustrations. When Aunt Lulu goes out of town Zoey's family takes care of her fourteen-year-old dog, Draper. Zoey dresses Draper in adorable homemade outfits for his daily walks, and when the fashionable doggie duds start getting attention in the neighborhood, Zoey finds herself swamped with requests to make pet clothes. How will she keep up with the demand on her small fabric budget and with limited time? With a little help from her friends, family, fans, and a cute-as-a-button puppy!

Author Biography

Chloe Taylor learned to sew when she was a little girl. She loved watching her Grandmother Louise turn a scrap of blue fabric into a simple-but-fabulous dress, nightgown, or even a bathing suit in an instant. It was magical! Now that she's grown up, she still loves fashion: It's like art that you can wear. Chloe has written more than thirty books for children and lives, writes, and window shops in New York City. Nancy Zhang is an illustrator and an art and fashion lover with a passion for all beautiful things. She has published her work in the art books L'Oiseau Rouge and Street Impressions and in various fashion magazines and on websites. Visit her at Nancy-Zhang.com. She lives in Berlin, Germany.

Review

An aspiring fashion designer is the affable heroine of this first book in the Sew Zoey series. . . . In a smoothly written story of overcoming challenges with ingenuity and style, Taylor shows a knack for characterization and dialogue, and her detailed descriptions of Zoey's designs will entice young fashionistas.-- "Publishers Weekly"
Most novels about fashion end up being more about little divas than about the clothing; this is an exception. This story celebrates the rewards of personal creativity and risks of self-expression. . . . This book will appeal to a middle-grade crowd that isn't into vampires and dystopias, as well as to those who create art with their hands.-- "Kirkus Reviews"
The characters are enjoyable and well developed, and the plot is humorous and entertaining. The black-and-white drawings that open each chapter add a bit of fashion flair. With a touching ending that will leave readers with a warm, fuzzy feeling, this novel will appeal to young fashionistas.-- "School Library Journal"
Zoey Webber is a funky fashionista stuck in a gray-polyester-uniform world. The first book in a delightful new series, this will appeal to any girl finding her own style. Zoey is a bubbly and vivacious character who doesn't let insecurities take command.-- "Booklist"

Review Quote

"Zoey Webber is a funky fashionista stuck in a gray-polyester-uniform world. The first book in a delightful new series, this will appeal to any girl finding her own style. Zoey is a bubbly and vivacious character who doesn't let insecurities take command."

Excerpt from Book

Cute as a Button CHAPTER 1 It''s Nifty to Be Thrifty Designing and making clothes is definitely my favorite thing to do, but there''s one big catch--buying fabric starts to add up. It''s not just the fabric--it''s all the trimming, buttons, zippers, sequins--you name it! The only reason I''ve been able to make so many outfits lately is because of the money I won in the Avalon Fabrics'' Break-Out Designer contest--and because both Jan at A Stitch in Time and my aunt Lulu are so great about giving me scrap material. But I''m going from riches to rags, even though I''ve been doing my best to shop on a budget. My allowance only goes so far, and I''m too young to babysit, so Dad said I can do odd jobs around the house to earn money, but there are only so many of those. Lately, he''s been paying me to dust the houseplants and sew buttons on his shirts! What''s an aspiring fashion designer bursting with ideas to do? I''ve been digging around at the thrift store again, trying to find clothes I can take apart for the fabric. But I loved this dress too much to take it apart. Instead I got creative and "Zoeyfied" it. I made some tweaks here and there and added a belt that used to be my mom''s. Cool, huh? "Are you sure you don''t mind?" Lulu Price asked for the third time as she stood by the door to leave. "Mind? We love having Draper here," Zoey Webber, Lulu''s niece, said, her arms wrapped around her doggie cousin''s neck. Aunt Lulu''s fourteen-year-old mutt thumped his tail against the kitchen floor in agreement. "See? Draper loves being here too," Zoey said. "I know he does," Aunt Lulu said, smiling. "This is his absolute favorite hotel. And mine, because I know you and Marcus will give him lots of love while I''m away at the interior design conference." "Oh, you can count on that," Zoey''s brother, Marcus, said. "Draper will get plenty of love--and treats." "Not too many treats," Aunt Lulu warned. "He''s already overweight." "He is not," Zoey said, covering the dog''s floppy ears with her hands so he wouldn''t hear. Then she uncovered his ears and scratched the silky hair under his chin. "You are the handsomest dog ever." Draper licked Zoey''s face, as if to agree that he was, indeed, the handsomest dog ever. "I''ll see you in about a week," Aunt Lulu said, blowing kisses as she walked out the door. Draper trotted over to the entryway and let out a soft whine. "Aw, he misses Aunt Lulu already," Marcus said. "Give him a treat." Draper''s ears pricked up at the word "treat." Zoey wanted to follow Aunt Lulu''s advice for at least a few minutes after she left, but Draper seemed so very sad standing by the door. Just one treat wouldn''t hurt. "Come on, Draper, treat!" she said in a high-pitched voice, walking over to the tin of treats their aunt had left with Draper''s food and other supplies. Draper moseyed over to Zoey expectantly. "Sit," Zoey said. Draper stood, staring up at Zoey with his big brown eyes. "Come on, Draper, sit!" she said again, waving the treat above his nose. With a deep sigh and an If I really must look, Draper sank onto his rear haunches. "Good boy, good sit," Zoey crooned, giving him his treat. "I wonder if Draper ever thinks, ''Why do they make me do this just to get a treat?''" Marcus said. "I think he just cares about getting the treat!" "You underestimate him," Marcus said. "No, I don''t. I just think he has his priorities straight. If I could get ice cream whenever someone said ''sit,'' I would totally sit down on command! But now it''s time to sit and sew, right, Draper?" Zoey said. Sure enough, Draper lumbered up the stairs behind Zoey and followed her into her room. After a brief, unsuccessful search for hidden treats, he settled himself under the cute vintage sewing machine table Zoey''s dad had bought her, so she could work in her bedroom. He''d painted the wrought iron pink to match her bedroom. Zoey loved it. Mr. Webber loved having some space on the dining room table for a change. The week before, Zoey had seen a dress that she absolutely adored in her favorite fashion magazine, Tr

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