You’re Wearing That to School?!

Penelope is one self-confident and stylish hippo. When she proudly models potential first-day outfits (one includes a loud floral dress, zebra-print leggings, and a feather boa), her best friend Tiny is horrified. Having started school a year earlier, the cautious mouse advises her to wear clothing that will let her “fit right in,” and nixes her idea of bringing a lavish picnic lunch and a beloved stuffed animal. Penelope’s effervescence leaps from the page as she follows her own muse—and learns that she’s not the only outside-the-box thinker at school. With humor and sensitivity, Plourde and Cornelison underscore the importance of being true to oneself. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (June)