TIME TO GET DRESSED!

“Solomon likes to dress himself.” Thus begins an hour-long quest to get Solomon attired and fed. As Daddy presents each item of clothing, Solomon responds with, “Me!” At the end of half an hour, Solomon has one arm through the sleeve of his shirt, pants on his head, a sock on his hand and a shoe tied around his ankle. Daddy, his own attire askew, helps Solomon put them in their proper places. But breakfast is a repeat skirmish. Patient Daddy gives Solomon another half hour to get the cereal in his mouth (on his hands, in his hair . . . ), then ends it by helping Solomon put on outdoor wear. Repeated sentence beginnings will allow youngsters to chime in and feel like they are reading. Savadier’s watercolors are perfect. Lack of a background paired with minimal detail keep the focus where it belongs—on Solomon’s struggle for independence and on the interaction between a son and his father, wonderfully captured in facial expressions. A must for any collection catering to toddlers and their harried parents. (Picture book. 2-5)