What Do You Wear?

July 1, 2017
Little ones learn about the "clothes" animals wear.A sheep wears a "fluffy jacket," and a snake wears a "snug stocking" in this board book from the author/illustrator of Everyone Poops. The small board book is illustrated in Gomi's trademark style: rounded, simple animals sit against a colorful background in the center of the recto, while the text accompanies on the verso. The colors are muted and the animals offer no expression, a refreshing change of pace from the constantly smiling animals in so many other board books. Some little ones might be confused by some vocabulary (adults need to be prepared to explain what a "fancy cardigan" is), but the book entertains regardless. It's also thought-provoking, as with the exception of the human boy that closes the story, the clothing mentioned is all metaphorical: from the goldfish's "tie-dye skirt" to the zebra's "striped pajamas," the articles of clothing are all the animals' natural scales, feathers, or fur. The end involves a brown toddler boy who discovers he is wearing ."..nothing?" (depicted with rudimentary anatomical detail) and quickly puts on clothes. For little readers who hate getting dressed, this might help spark the desire. A pleasant brain-tickler for toddlers old enough to make the metaphorical leap. (Board book. 2-4)

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July 1, 2017

Toddler-PreS-Gomi looks to the animal kingdom to address the subject of clothing and getting dressed. Sheep is shown wearing "a fluffy jacket," Gorilla sports "a cozy sweater," Snake shows off "a snug stocking," and Zebra rocks his "striped pajamas." The penultimate spread shows a surprised boy in his birthday suit, but with a page turn, the book ends with, "Quick, let's get dressed! That's better!" as he pulls on a shirt and pants. An upbeat choice with clever, appealing artwork.

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