Clothes
Picture this! Series
on Goodreads (445)
What’s inside...
In this imaginative picture book, various animals wear colorful clothes as they dance, sail boats, and enjoy other fun activities while learning an important lesson about being yourself. In a separate story, Cake is invited to a party and is initially excited, but soon realizes it may not be the kind of party he wants to attend. This story introduces an irresistibly loveable character, Cake, in a humorous tale by the award-winning creators Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet. In the tradition of I Want My Hat Back, this delicious story tells the story of a cake who’s about to attend his very first party—but he has no idea what’s coming. Cake has been invited to his very first birthday party and buys just the right outfit—including the PERFECT hat. But as the candles on his perfect party hat begin to burn, and the other party guests start to sing, Cake starts to think that this is one party he’d rather not be at.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite outfit in the book and why did you like it?
How do you think the characters felt when they tried on different clothes?
If you could create your own special outfit, what would it look like and what would it do?
Why is it important to wear different clothes for different occasions or weather conditions?
How do clothes help us show who we are or how we feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive gestures and voice modulation when discussing different outfits from the book to make the conversation more lively and interesting.
Relate the clothing items in the book to those in your child’s wardrobe to make the discussion more personal and relatable.
Encourage your child to draw or describe an outfit they would love to wear for a special occasion, fostering creativity and connection to the book's themes.
Discuss the function and comfort of various clothing, such as why we wear raincoats in the rain or sunglasses on sunny days, to tie in everyday learning with reading.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciating Diversity
Explanation: In 'Clothes', different characters wear unique outfits, showcasing a variety of styles and preferences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect individual differences in tastes and backgrounds, fostering a more inclusive attitude.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Self-Expression
Explanation: The book highlights characters creatively choosing their attire, encouraging self-expression through clothing.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to express themselves creatively in their choice of dress, boosting confidence and personal identity.
Example Lesson: Decision Making
Explanation: Characters in the book make choices about their outfits, demonstrating the decision-making process.
Real-World Application: Children learn to make choices about their own clothing, developing independence and decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story includes aspects of caring for and organizing clothing, teaching the importance of maintaining personal belongings.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to take responsibility for their own clothes, learning organization and care.