About the Book

After having fun running around the house naked and wild, young Fred decides to get dressed--in his parents' closet--with surprising results.

Book Synopsis

From a New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott-honor winning artist comes an exuberant illustrated story about playing dress up, having fun, and feeling free.

The boy loves to be naked. He romps around his house naked and wild and free. Until he romps into his parents' closet and is inspired to get dressed. First he tries on his dad's clothes, but they don't fit well. Then he tries on his mom's clothes, and wow! The boy looks great. He looks through his mom's jewelry and makeup and tries that on, too. When he's discovered by his mother and father, the whole family (including the dog!) get in on the fun, and they all get dressed together.

This charming and humorous story was inspired by bestselling and award-winning author Peter Brown's own childhood, and highlights nontraditional gender roles and self-expression.

Review Quotes

Praise for My Teacher is a Monster: *"This playful, eye-catching story goes a long way to humanize both teachers and students."--Booklist, starred review

* "[Peter] Brown's picture books are consistent bestsellers and critically acclaimed. Expect readers to go wild for his robot-themed novel."--Booklist, starred review

* "A quiet but stirring fable of urban renewal, sure to capture imaginations."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Here's hoping readers who are similarly challenged in the behavior department will get both messages: Teachers are people, and they give back what they get."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "The art is spectacular and the book might inspire children to engage in small projects to improve their own neighborhoods."--School Library Journal, starred review

* "The clever, texturized illustrations, concise text, comical storyline, and sweet sentiment make this a near-perfect storytime choice for young children."--Library Media Connection, starred review

*"Brown, imagining Ms. Kirby from a child's perspective, handles her transformation smoothly, prompting readers to revisit earlier pages. Comic traces of monstrosity linger in Ms Kirby (she still goes green at classroom clowning) yet Brown makes it clear that teachers are people too-even the "mean" ones."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

*"Readers who prefer the view from underneath the dinner table will find a kindred soul in Brown's brightly burning character who knows that the wilderness is always waiting, should the need arise."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

*"There's a lot to go wild for in this picture-book celebration of individuality and self-expression... Hooray for Mr. Tiger and his wild ways."--Kirkus, starred review

*"This 'it's okay to be different' story stands out from other picture books on the topic thanks to Brown's delightfully clever illustrations and masterful compositions...Sure to be an instant read-aloud classic in classrooms and libraries."--School Library Journal, starred review

*"This is a book made for storytime, with its bold mixed-media illustrations that work almost like a storyboard moving left to right... The happy ending, almost a reverse of Where the Wild Things Are, includes everyone discovering the fun of being at least a little bit wild."--The Horn Book, starred review

*"With its skewed humor and untamed spirit this joyous exploration of quasi-reverse anthropomorphism will delight listeners again and again."--Booklist, starred review

"[A] story that students and teachers will enjoy equally."--The Horn Book

"A quietly marvelous picture book... Echoing the themes of The Secret Garden, it is an ecological fable, a whimsical tale celebrating perseverance and creativity."--New York Times

"Bobby's rascally charm will win the hearts of readers."--School Library Journal

"Peter Brown depicts his hero as a bright pop of orange...gleefully escaping to a Rousseau-like tableau of dense ferns, soaring palms and cascading waterfalls."--New York Times Book Review

"Hilarious...This exuberant tale by Caldecott Honor-winner and best-selling author Brown contains important messages about nontraditional gender roles, parental acceptance, and the value of personal expression."--Boston Globe

Praise for Mr. Tiger Goes Wild: A New York Times BestsellerAn Amazon Best Children's Book of the YearAn ALSC Notable Children's BookA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best Book of the YearA Horn Book FanfareA Booklist Editors' ChoiceA Kirkus Best Children's Book of the YearABoston Globe-Horn Book Awards Picture Book Winner

Praise for The Curious Garden:
New York Times BestsellerChildren's Choice Award: Illustrator of the YearE. B. White Read Aloud Award Winner

About the Author

Peter Brown is the author and illustrator of many bestselling children's books, including Children Make Terrible Pets, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, and The Curious Garden. He is also the author of the bestselling middle-grade duology The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes. He is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor for Creepy Carrots!, two E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book award, and a Children's Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year. Peter's website is www.peterbrownstudio.com.