Morris
is a creative and sensitive character, and much like other children his age, he
likes puzzles, painting, singing loudly and eating pancakes. He also happens to
like dressing up, and particularly loves the tangerine dress from the dress-up
centre at school, because 'It reminds him
of tigers, the sun and his mother’s hair’.
The
other kids at school are not okay with Morris wearing a dress and so Morris is
faced with hurtful words, teasing and worst of all, the boys at school won’t
let him in their spaceship. Although Morris becomes so upset that he feels
physically ill, he stays true to who he is.
In the end, staying true to his creative
self results in the other kids realising that it doesn’t matter what you wear,
it is more about character and having a good sense of adventure.
The
main focus on the courage it takes to stay true to yourself and be ‘different’
leaves readers with the lovely modern message about gender.
Title:
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
Author:
Christine Baldacchino
Illustrator:
Isabelle Malenfant
Publisher:
Groundwood Books, $33.95
Publication
Date: 13 May 2014
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781554983476
For
ages: 4 - 6
Type:
Picture Book
