Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book on her blog on Fridays. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, and, mainly, just perfect for those who love to read picture books. Here is a list of books by category. Each book listed is a link to information about that book. It is very handy.
I love Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems and chose it for Perfect Picture Book Friday.
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems
Hyperion Books for Children 2009
Ages 5-8
Themes: Differences, Peer Pressure, Acceptance
Opening Lines: “There is so much to learn about the fascinating little creatures known as naked mole rats. But, for this story, you only need to know three things:
1. They are a little bit rat. 2. They are a little bit mole. 3. They are all naked…”
Brief Synopsis: Unlike other naked mole rats, Wilbur likes to get dressed. But Grand-pah, the oldest, wisest, and most naked Naked Mole Rat ever, finds out. Everyone shows up for Grand-pah’s “proclamation”. What will happen? (And even more important…What, if anything, should Wilbur wear?…this really isn’t the most important part, but I couldn’t resist.)
Resources: I was afraid that I couldn’t find any resources for anything naked…but HERE is a wonderful Activity Guide from The Pigeon 🙂 And another equally wonderful guide from Junior Library Guild, HERE.
Why I Like This Book: Early on kids have to deal with times when they feel they are different or don’t fit in. Wilbur is obviously very different. Mo Willems doesn’t sugarcoat the reactions of the other mole rats. They make fun of Wilbur. They are sarcastic to Wilbur. And they tattle on Wilbur. Kids will relate! There is plenty of humor as Wilbur shows his courage and remains true to himself. Naked mole rats are far from furry, cuddly, little guys, but Mo Willems’s artist talent made me want to go to the nearest naked mole rat store and bring Wilbur home. I could go on and on…. But, for this book, you only need to know three things:
1. You need to read it. 2. You will want to read it again and again. 3. You will all love it.
Penny Parker Klostermann 
Just read this book today with my son…a really great read. I agree, it makes me want to learn more about naked mole rats…Thanks for sharing!
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I’m so glad you liked it. The real mole rats aren’t nearly as cute 🙂
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Mo can do no wrong. Thank goodness for his Elephant and Piggie series. Such a fresh voice in the realm of early readers and the illustrations…to die for! How can one little raised line /eyebrow convey SO much meaning? His great artwork is perfectly married with exciting early reader vocabulary – kids love them!
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Cathy, I am wondering if you stopped by my blog this morning before I got my Mostly Monsterly post up. I am new to blogging and I hit some key and instantly my half Mostly Monsterly / half Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed post was published….eeeekkkk. So, I had to figure out how to unpost it. I was just using a draft of my last Perfect Picture Book as a guideline. Now you know all of my secrets. Anyway, if that is what happened, come back and read about Mostly Monsterly. If that isn’t what happened sorry for all this rambling. No matter what, I really appreciate you dropping by my blog.
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Love Mo Willems! We don’t have this one in the library collection, but I need to order it. The kids will love it! Thanks, Penny!
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Your welcome. I think the kids will love it. It’s a great read aloud. (I apologize for the delayed response…I’m learning!)
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Great review. And a theme is self acceptance and bullying. Resources to bullying can be found here :http://pages.simonandschuster.com/nonamecalling
I loved MO Willems book, “Leonardo the Terrible Monster” and made it my selection three weeks ago for Perfect Picture Book Friday and you can find it on my blog at http://clarbojahn.wordpress.com/ and look under the search bar. ( afraid if I gave you the link askemet would spam it) 🙂
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I’ve read Leonardo the Terrible Monster and loved it, also.
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Sounds like such a fun book! My boys and I love Mo Williems and the Knuffle Bunny books. I hadn’t heard of this one though. We will add it to our list. 🙂
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I do love Knuffle Bunny, too. This one is older no probably the hype is over. (Sorry for the delayed response…I’m a newbie to this blogging and I’m still learning.)
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I’m thrilled to be participating in Susannah’s PPBF. I’m discovering new picture books that I can use in my school and library programs. But best of all, I’m getting to connect with so many other awesome people who are as passionate about picture books as I am!!!!
So nice to connect with you…thank you for leaving the comment…I know that so many people think of Obama’s Yes I Can when they hear the title of this book…but I believe Sam McBratney’s came first. 🙂
I love your book selection…and your review makes me want to run out and get a copy. This would be a great story to read with the kindergarten classes…so much teasing and bullying seems to be going on in schools these days. I’ll have to put on my thinking cap and come up with some activities. 🙂
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It is a fun book and will have the kids giggling, I’m sure.
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Another fun selection. As an activity, maybe parents could look at a group family photo and discuss how everyone is different, alike, etc. I do this sometimes with family reunion photos.
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That’s a great idea, Stacy! Thanks for stopping by and sorry for my delayed reply. (still learning 🙂
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Oh how I love Mo Willems’ books! This one is perfect for the list. His humorous storytelling and fun illustrations are wonderful. Great choice!
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Can you tell I am new to this “blog thing”? I am learning all about it…including how to moderate and reply to comments. Sorry about the tardiness. Thank you for you thoughtful comment.
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