Fred Gets Dressed

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)