"Well, I used to be disgusted
and now I try to be amused
But since their wings have got rusted
You know, the angels wanna wear my red shoes"
-- Elvis Costello (1977)
In August 1967, as the Summer of Love prepared to pass into history, and I
prepared for the transition from summer bliss to seventh grade, I made a
journey down Commack Road to the local purveyor of groovy clothing that has
recently opened it doors. There, I bought a bright blue Nehru jacket (a
style then popularized by The Beatles) which represented, I believe, my
first-ever conscious fashion statement.
I suppose the most memorable aspect of my times with that jacket -- which
I insisted upon wearing every day for a couple of months -- involved my
pathologically-disagreeable science teacher who insisted that my jacket be
categorized as a shirt and, therefore, be tucked in whenever I was in his
classroom.
These days, that aspect of my being involves wearing my beloved red high
top Converse sneakers. You can dig up old photos from two decades ago, to
when I was doing circle at the childcare center, and there I was with a
pair...just like the ones I just ordered last week to replace last year's
totally-falling-apart pair.
"She wore her tutu in the pool.
'Not again,' her father moaned.
She wore her tutu on her sled.
'Not again,' her brother teased.
She wore her tutu in her bed.
'Not again, her grandmother giggled."
In NOT THAT TUTU!, an ebullient red-haired girl named Taylor has one of
those big fluffy pink tutus that she insists on wearing everywhere. I mean
EVERYWHERE. And then when finally (FINALLY) the tutu lies in tatters, Taylor
turns it in for a pair of brand-new bunny slippers.
"'Now I have these.' cheered Taylor as she danced around the room. 'And
I'm never taking them off!'"
In nine two-page spreads, this fun board book original (which includes a
touch-and-feel tutu on the cover) effectively explores the comforting
experience of having a favorite piece of clothing and makes it an okay and normal
thing.
978-0307976987
Recommended by: Richie Partington, MLIS, Librarian, California USA
Richie's Picks _https://richiespicks.com_ (https://richiespicks.com/)
