Parents will appreciate this how-to book on getting dressed, and kids will enjoy the easy-to-open flaps.
A toddler of undisclosed gender gets ready for the day with the help of a playful puppy and a teddy bear. From underwear (which potty-training parents will appreciate) to shoes, this youngster takes readers through the stages of putting on clothes. The little protagonist appears on the left-hand side of the spread, and bold lines of text appear opposite, giving readers a clue about which article of clothing is to come. The text is unfinished until readers lift the extra-thick flap to reveal the tyke in the garment. A tab in the same print as the article of clothing underneath makes this title particularly toddler friendly. The rhyming verse is fun on some pages (“First we need a brand-new pair / of super-duper // underwear!”) and serviceable on others. Atop speckled papers that have a handmade feel, Church’s cartoon toddler and a puppy are delightfully animated in warm colors and gender-neutral prints.
While not necessarily a topic toddlers clamor for, there is enough interactivity and simplicity here for them to enjoy the ride. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)
