Time to Get Dressed! (review)

Those who remember the rambunctious Solomon from No Haircut Today! will not be surprised that the independent-minded toddler is now insisting upon dressing himself. Dad offers help, but Solomon—whose adamant refrain of "ME" amplifies page by page—would rather don his own clothing. Solomon's creative if impractical sense of style will have even relatively inexperienced dressers chortling knowingly, as shirt goes on sideways, pants go on head, socks go on hands, and shoes are tied by their laces to ankles. Meanwhile, the clock ticks on, and Dad must balance his desire to nurture Solomon's autonomy with the need to get him physically out of the door by the time the "little hand is on the eight." Solomon's repeated exclamations and the periodic consultation of the wall clock aptly convey the harried and humorous process of getting ready for the day in a way that will amuse little ones and grownups alike. The book, however, ultimately belongs to Solomon, and ends with him standing outside, arms outstretched triumphantly, tousled head uncapped, and feet solidly planted in his hat. The simplicity and subtlety of Savadier's watercolor lines belie a surprising range of motion and emotion; her peachy palette livened with periodic bursts of yellow conveys the gamut of little guy blushes and flushes, while terse dotted eyes and button noses are artfully varied to express the full dynamic range of toddler/parent frustration and fondness. For those who appreciate exuberant toddler spirit in the vein of Shannon's David (No, David!, BCCB 9/98), Savadier's Solomon will fit the storytime or readaloud bill.