Wilbur is different from the other Naked Mole Rats in his Colony, because he
wears clothes (and he likes it!). But what will happen when Grandpah,
the oldest, wisest, and most naked Naked Mole Rat ever discovers
Wilbur’s secret?
Funnyman and three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems exposes the naked truth about being yourself and wearing it well.
From School Library Journal:
PreSchool-Grade 2—Willems's contemporary fable concerns the way in which
a young member of the species "naked mole rats" is different. As the
nomenclature suggests, the group does not wear clothing, with the
singular exception of Wilbur. His extensive wardrobe, ranging from a
tuxedo to a space suit, and his insistence on wearing it, cause much
consternation and criticism from his colony. At last, they consult
Grand-pah, "the oldest, greatest, and most naked naked mole rat ever."
He calls a town meeting. To everyone's surprise, particularly the
protagonist's, Grand-pah arrives in a seersucker suit and waxes eloquent
on the wisdom of Wilbur's simple question: "Why not?" Converts abound
and a celebration ensues in which some dress up and some do not, but
everyone has fun. Willems has a talent for creating funny lines,
verbally and visually. Beige backgrounds provide an uncluttered stage
for his pink creatures with their oversize rectangular heads, each
conveying a distinctive personality. Much of the humor resides in the
subtle changes in Wilbur's eyes and, of course, in his colorful
costumes. Adults will embrace the message of tolerance, happy to have a
tale that can be shared with young children. They will also appreciate
the hints of Charles Schultz that surface here and there. Kids will
giggle-and wish their daily dramas had similar endings. Now, however,
they'll have a script.
