Fred Gets Dressed

Starred review from August 1, 2021

PreS-Gr 1-In this delightful look at kids, clothes, and imagination, a white child named Fred starts out wearing nothing: "He romps through the house naked and wild and free." Appealing illustrations capture the child's carefree joy as he dances, jumps, and plays without a trace of self-consciousness. The naked playtime shifts, though, when he enters his parents' bedroom. In the closet, he looks at his father's clothes, but they don't fit. On his mother's side, however, he finds a blouse that fits like a dress on him, and shoes that are wobbly, but wearable. Then he decides to accessorize. The sequence of illustrations neatly supports the boy's thought processes, with varied layouts that compare his evaluations of what each parent's clothing has to offer. Fred's choice of clothing is both practical (they fit better) and preferential (they seem more fun). When the climactic scene of his parents' entry arrives, Fred has added jewelry and messily applied lipstick. Consecutive wordless spreads capture the moment perfectly: blank looks from the adults that quickly turn to smiles as the mother offers grooming techniques and even the dog is playfully adorned. The closing image shows that Fred is finally "mostly dressed" though bare from the waist down. Themes of acceptance, family love, and gender nonconformity resonate without overwhelming the simple story. VERDICT A fun, funny, and insightful look at accepting kids just as they are.-Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville P.L., OR

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2021
Young Fred parades around the house in pure joy wearing nothing but his birthday suit. He jumps off furniture, cartwheels down the hall, and finds himself in front of his parents' closet door. Maybe he will get dressed today after all. Fred considers the way his father dresses and extracts a shirt, tie, and dress shoes from the closet, only to find these items are far too large and complicated. Next he turns to Mom's wardrobe. A sharp pink dress, green sash cleverly assembled into a belt, and heels are just what Fred was looking for. Fred carefully maneuvers his way (in Mom's too-large shoes) over to the vanity so he can complete his look. Just as Fred attempts to apply lipstick (to his cheek), Mom and Dad walk in, catching Fred in his game of dress-up. At this point in the story, some readers might expect parental disapproval of Fred's self-expression, but no such reaction occurs. Instead, the whole family finds their own funky, fabulous outfits, and the fun continues. The witty, straightforward text enhances the tale's warmth and humor. Brown's digital illustrations take on a 1970s neon glow, best seen in Fred's rosy cheeks and Mom's bright red hair. And Fred's bare bottom will have readers giggling from the first page to the last. Hill Saxton

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from April 1, 2021
Deciding what to wear becomes an adventure for a small boy. Fred likes to "[romp] through the house naked and wild and free." His romping takes him into his parents' bedroom closet, where Fred initially checks out Dad's clothing. Thinking it would be fun to dress like Dad, Fred selects a shirt, tie, and shoes, but he struggles with them. Moving onto Mom's side of the closet, Fred opts for a blouse, scarf, and shoes, all of which easily slip on. Dressed in Mom's clothes and huge shoes, Fred explores her jewelry box and makeup drawer, adding a necklace to his ensemble, but his attempt to apply lipstick ends in a smear. When Mom and Dad see Fred in his chosen apparel, they smile, and soon Mom shows Fred how to apply makeup and style his hair while Dad and the dog join the fun. Rendered in strong, black outlines, simple shapes, and complementary pinks and greens, the memorable illustrations portray Fred as a rosy, free-spirited tot unabashedly streaking through the house as his parents calmly read. Fred's unsuccessful experiment with Dad's drab male wardrobe and subsequent exploration of Mom's more exciting female attire, jewelry, and makeup are presented as an unremarkable occurrence for young Fred. The text-free close-up of Mom's and Dad's reactions to Fred in Mom's clothing sends just the right message of parental acceptance, support, and love. All three have pale skin and straight hair, Fred's and Dad's darker than Mom's. Positive, powerful, and affirming. (Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from March 15, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 *Starred Review* Fred is a little white boy with brown hair, an electric glow to his hot pink aura, and an undeniable joie de vivre. One way he expresses the latter is by cavorting in the nude. Smiling, he streaks across the living room as his parents read on the sofa. Brown's no slouch when it comes to letting loose (Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, 2013), but this story takes an interesting turn--into Fred's parents' closet. Of his own volition, Fred wanders in and looks over his dad's side of the closet (boring) and then his mom's (much more exciting), ultimately trying on one outfit from each. When Fred's happily wearing his mom's pink blouse as a dress and exploring his makeup and jewelry options, his parents walk in. Brown draws out this tense moment with a wordless two-page spread, but their surprise gives way to smiles, with a truly delightful sequence of them all doing their hair and makeup together. There is no discussion here of gender identity or expectation; it simply shows parents following their child's lead and offering him love and the space to explore and be himself. This largely comes through in Brown's marvelous illustrations, which favor purples, greens, and hot pink hues, thick line work, and a hipster aesthetic. A wonderful celebration of self that joins titles like Christine Baldacchino's Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress (2014) and Rowboat Watkins' Pete with No Pants (2017).

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January 1, 2021
Young Fred parades around the house in pure joy wearing nothing but his birthday suit. He jumps off furniture, cartwheels down the hall, and finds himself in front of his parents' closet door. Maybe he will get dressed today after all. Fred considers the way his father dresses and extracts a shirt, tie, and dress shoes from the closet, only to find these items are far too large and complicated. Next he turns to Mom's wardrobe. A sharp pink dress, green sash cleverly assembled into a belt, and heels are just what Fred was looking for. Fred carefully maneuvers his way (in Mom's too-large shoes) over to the vanity so he can complete his look. Just as Fred attempts to apply lipstick (to his cheek), Mom and Dad walk in, catching Fred in his game of dress-up. At this point in the story, some readers might expect parental disapproval of Fred's self-expression, but no such reaction occurs. Instead, the whole family finds their own funky, fabulous outfits, and the fun continues. The witty, straightforward text enhances the tale's warmth and humor. Brown's digital illustrations take on a 1970s neon glow, best seen in Fred's rosy cheeks and Mom's bright red hair. And Fred's bare bottom will have readers giggling from the first page to the last.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)