Review: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

Book Review: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. 2009. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9781423114376

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Wilbur, a naked mole rat, is the only one of his kind who enjoys wearing clothes. He doesn’t see anything wrong with wearing all sorts of interesting clothes, but the other naked mole rats think he is very strange. They go to Grand-pah, the elder of the naked mole rat family to complain about Wilbur’s clothes wearing habit. Wilbur is so worried that Grand-pah would not like him if he wore clothes, but Grand-pah thinks wearing clothes is a fine idea, and Wilbur is extremely relieved.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mo Willems has created a fantastic character in Wilbur, who is perfectly happy with the way he is and doesn’t let the teasing of the other naked mole rats change his personality. When faced with the assertion that naked mole rats don’t wear clothes, he simply asks “Why not?” The plot has Wilbur facing insults from other mole rats while he tries to explain his love of wearing clothing. Although Wilbur is concerned about the opinion of Grand-pah, his fears are put to rest and the conflict is resolved as Grand-pah makes the proclamation that although clothes may not be for everyone, they don’t hurt anyone. The theme in this story is to be yourself, and let others be themselves and celebrate individuality, which is a wonderful lesson to teach children. Although this particular story is about naked mole rats, there is a sense of realism to the story, and the events that occur can easily be imagined with humans.

The relatively simple cartoons Willems illustrates of naked mole rats draw the reader in due to their personification and human-like behavior. The colors are relatively bright pastels and on a plain white background, so Wilbur and the rest of the naked mole rats stand out. Wilbur and his family are pale pink, with dynamic facial expressions displaying their emotions clearly to the audience. Animals wearing clothes and getting into human-like situations are usually popular with young children, and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed is sure to be no exception.

Mo Willems is a brilliant author and illustrator. He knows how to draw and create characters young audiences will love.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Positive review in School Library Journal: “Adults will embrace the message of tolerance, happy to have a tale that can be shared with young children.”

Positive review in Booklist: “It is Wilbur’s guileless observations that will have young readers feeling good about individual expression.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This storybook can lead a discussion on tolerance and treating others as you wish to be treated.

* As an enrichment activity, have the children design outfits they believe Wilbur would enjoy wearing.

* Other books on individuality and acceptance:
Cannon, Janell. Stellaluna. ISBN 9780152802172

*Other books by Mo Willems:

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ISBN 9780786819881
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. ISBN 9780786818709
There is a Bird on Your Head. ISBN 9781423106869

Review: Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

Book Review: Grandpa Green

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Smith, Lane. 2011. Grandpa Green. New York: Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 9781596436077

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Grandpa Green’s great-grandson tells the life story of his grandfather from childhood, fighting in a war, marriage and finally to present day in chronological order as the young man walks through Grandpa Green’s garden. As the story unfolds, topiaries illustrate the life of Grandpa Green.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Smith has created a book with the theme of the importance of family and the preservation of life experiences but the book will also appeal to young readers who may not understand heavy themes. He also incorporates memory loss and other problems of aging with grace and tact. Grandpa Green reads as though it could have been a biography, lovingly written about almost any reader’s great-grandfather. Seen through the eyes of the main character, the garden becomes a fanciful playground and the topiaries appear to come to life. There isn’t a major conflict for the protagonist, other than the acknowledgement of Grandpa Green’s aging and that he may forget things, “But the important stuff the garden remembers for him.”

The illustrations in Grandpa Green are really the main focal point in the whole story. Everything the protagonist says as he walks through the garden is imitated in the form of a beautifully created topiary. The illustrations cover the page with the text of the story placed within, so it almost feels as though you were walking through the garden yourself. There is a playful nature to Smith’s way of illustration, and the foliage is so lush it seems like you could touch the topiaries. The climax of the book includes a 4 page illustration of Grandpa Green's life, with the topiaries laid out almost like a timeline.

Lane Smith is a gifted storyteller and artist. Grandpa Green is not to be missed, and is a book that should be enjoyed by the whole family.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
2012 Caldecott Honor Book

Starred review in School Library Journal: “Visually intriguing and emotionally resonant."

Positive review in Kirkus: “A wonderful bridge to exploring family history with the very young.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book would jump start a discussion on aging and the elderly. It would also be a wonderful addition to a discussion on family history and preserving memories.  

* Use Grandpa Green during a storytime celebrating Grandparent's Day.

* As an enrichment activity, have the children create a family tree, or ask them to interview their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. Those interviews can be turned into homemade books and illustrated by the children.

* Check out books written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith.

* Other books by Lane Smith:

It’s a Book. ISBN 9781596436060
The Big Elephant in the Room. ISBN 9781423116677
John, Paul, George and Ben. ISBN 9780786848935

Review: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Keats, Ezra Jack. 1962. The Snowy Day. New York: The Viking Press. ISBN: 9780670654000

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Peter, a young African American boy, wakes up one morning to see it had snowed sometime in the night. The book follows his adventures throughout the day as he explores the snowy landscape outside his door and generally acts exactly how any young child would after a large snowfall. He makes designs in the snow, builds a snowman, makes snow angels, and slides down “a great big tall heaping mountain of snow.” There is only the tiniest conflict, as the snowball Peter lovingly collected had melted in his warm house, and he is concerned the snow might be melted before the next day. However, new snow falls and Peter can begin a new adventure on another snowy day.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ezra Jack Keats, the author and illustrator of The Snowy Day, has created a classic picture book with a main character kids and parents can’t help but fall in love with. The character of Peter feels as though he could be any child, anywhere, who loves to explore and play. The simple plot and style of writing creates a fond tone which makes the reader wistful for the small delights that can be found in childhood, such as the first snowfall or making a perfect snowman. The exact setting, other than an urban area, is unknown, as is Peter’s age, so every child can immediately put themselves in his place and imagine participating in his snow day activities.

The illustrations evoke strong feelings and sensations as they engage you and bring you into the story. As you read, you can almost feel the freezing snow under your feet, or hear the crunch as Peter experiments with creating designs in the snow. The use of collage as the form of illustration is an interesting choice. Cut outs used for the main character and landscape and the addition of watercolors makes Peter, in his bright red snowsuit, stand out from the background of the white snow and clear blue sky.

Although The Snowy Day was first published in 1962, the story and illustrations are timeless.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1963 Caldecott Medal Winner

Positive Review in Publisher’s Weekly: “Pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book could contribute to a discussion on multiculturalism.  

*More from Ezra Jack Keats:

Peter’s Chair. ISBN 9780140564411

A Letter to Amy. ISBN 9780140564426

Whistle for Willie. ISBN 9780140502022