{"id":40240,"date":"2021-10-02T21:54:04","date_gmt":"2021-10-03T01:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=40240"},"modified":"2021-10-02T21:57:03","modified_gmt":"2021-10-03T01:57:03","slug":"review-of-fred-gets-dressed-by-peter-brown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=40240","title":{"rendered":"Review of Fred Gets Dressed, by Peter Brown"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Fred Gets Dressed<\/em><\/p>\n

by Peter Brown<\/p>\n

Little, Brown and Company, 2021. 44 pages.
\nReview written September 29, 2021, from a library book
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Fred Gets Dressed<\/em> is a book that\u2019s playful about an everyday activity: getting dressed.<\/p>\n

As the book opens, Fred is running around his house naked while his parents read books and let him romp. We do see his bottom, but he\u2019s happily positioned not to reveal anything else. His expression and demeanor are sheer joy as he celebrates being \u201cnaked and wild and free.\u201d<\/p>\n

But then he runs into Mom and Dad\u2019s bedroom and looks in the mirror on the inside of their open closet door. We see his big smile. Then he starts looking at the clothes in their closet.<\/p>\n

Fred looks at Dad\u2019s side of the closet.
\n
\nHe thinks about the way Dad dresses.
\n
\nIt might be fun to dress like Dad.
\nSo Fred carefully picks out a shirt and a tie and a pair of shoes.
\n
\nBut he has trouble putting them on.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then Fred thinks about the way Mom dresses. He finds an outfit from Mom\u2019s side of the closet that he can put on. Then he decides to go to her dresser and try the jewelry and makeup. <\/p>\n

Just as he\u2019s smeared some lipstick on his face, Mom and Dad walk in. There\u2019s a spread where they see him, and then a spread when everyone smiles at each other.<\/p>\n

After that, the whole family joins in! Mom shows Fred how to put on some makeup, but Dad and even the dog get involved, too.<\/p>\n

I love the way the parents aren\u2019t shocked by Fred\u2019s play \u2013 either when he\u2019s romping naked or when he\u2019s dressed up like Mom. And better yet, they join the fun.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not going to say this is a book for gender nonconforming kids, though they will enjoy it. Don\u2019t all kids love to play dress-up? I love the way this book doesn\u2019t teach that this has to be limited by gender, and that even grown-ups can play, too.<\/p>\n

And after reading the author’s blog post about the book, I like it even better. When he was a child who loved to play with paint, he was interested in what his mother used to paint her face. One day his mother found him with lipstick on his face, and his mother responded as Fred’s mom does, teaching him how to put it on. The author says he felt unconditional love when his mother responded by encouraging his curiosity rather than scolding.<\/p>\n

Good silly fun with a playful message. And a wonderful example of affirming parenting.<\/p>\n

peterbrownstudio.com<\/a>
\nlbyr.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/fred_gets_dressed.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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