03/15/2021
First establishing his protagonist’s delight in zooming around the house “naked and wild and free,” Brown (The Wild Robot) shows white-skinned, brown-haired Fred striking one joyful pose after another. But when Fred ends up in a magical place—his parents’ closet—getting dressed becomes irresistible. He has trouble donning his father’s shirt and tie, but Mom’s clothes are a different story. The book’s limited palette of olive, brown, and bright pink combines to form a wardrobe that, to Fred’s eyes, is razzle-dazzle—and his mother’s makeup and jewelry only add to the allure. When Mom and Dad discover Fred, now dressed in a blouse-and-scarf turned frock, heels, and a dash of lipstick, Brown draws the scene as a parent-child stand-off, an ominous beat that seems to suggest potential conflict. But a page turn reveals smiles and everyone—down to the family dog—getting into the dress-up game: Mom gives makeup lessons, and Dad dons blush and jewelry. With nonjudgmental parents who appreciate their son however he dresses, Fred really has it all. Well, almost—as the final cheeky image shows, he could use a pair of underpants. Ages 3–6. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary. (May)
* "[Peter] Brown's picture books are consistent bestsellers and critically acclaimed. Expect readers to go wild for his robot-themed novel."—Booklist, starred review
Praise for Mr. Tiger Goes Wild:
A New York Times Bestseller
An Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year
An ALSC Notable Children's Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare
A Booklist Editors' Choice
A Kirkus Best Children's Book of the Year
ABoston Globe-Horn Book Awards Picture Book Winner
*"This is a book made for storytime, with its bold mixed-media illustrations that work almost like a storyboard moving left to right... The happy ending, almost a reverse of Where the Wild Things Are, includes everyone discovering the fun of being at least a little bit wild."—The Horn Book, starred review
*"There's a lot to go wild for in this picture-book celebration of individuality and self-expression... Hooray for Mr. Tiger and his wild ways."—Kirkus, starred review
*"Readers who prefer the view from underneath the dinner table will find a kindred soul in Brown's brightly burning character who knows that the wilderness is always waiting, should the need arise."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"This 'it's okay to be different' story stands out from other picture books on the topic thanks to Brown's delightfully clever illustrations and masterful compositions...Sure to be an instant read-aloud classic in classrooms and libraries."—School Library Journal, starred review
*"With its skewed humor and untamed spirit this joyous exploration of quasi-reverse anthropomorphism will delight listeners again and again."—Booklist, starred review
"Peter Brown depicts his hero as a bright pop of orange...gleefully escaping to a Rousseau-like tableau of dense ferns, soaring palms and cascading waterfalls."—New York Times Book Review
Praise for My Teacher is a Monster:*"This playful, eye-catching story goes a long way to humanize both teachers and students."—Booklist, starred review
*"Brown, imagining Ms. Kirby from a child's perspective, handles her transformation smoothly, prompting readers to revisit earlier pages. Comic traces of monstrosity linger in Ms Kirby (she still goes green at classroom clowning) yet Brown makes it clear that teachers are people too-even the "mean" ones."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Here's hoping readers who are similarly challenged in the behavior department will get both messages: Teachers are people, and they give back what they get."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "The clever, texturized illustrations, concise text, comical storyline, and sweet sentiment make this a near-perfect storytime choice for young children."—Library Media Connection, starred review
"[A] story that students and teachers will enjoy equally."—The Horn Book
"Bobby's rascally charm will win the hearts of readers."—School Library Journal
Praise for The Curious Garden:
New York Times Bestseller
Children's Choice Award: Illustrator of the Year
E. B. White Read Aloud Award Winner
"A quietly marvelous picture book... Echoing the themes of The Secret Garden, it is an ecological fable, a whimsical tale celebrating perseverance and creativity."—New York Times
* "A quiet but stirring fable of urban renewal, sure to capture imaginations."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "The art is spectacular and the book might inspire children to engage in small projects to improve their own neighborhoods."—School Library Journal, starred review
“Hilarious…This exuberant tale by Caldecott Honor-winner and best-selling author Brown contains important messages about nontraditional gender roles, parental acceptance, and the value of personal expression.”—Boston Globe
★ 08/01/2021
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
★ 2021-03-17
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)
