Fred Gets Dressed

Inspired by Brown’s own childhood experience, it is a story about a lovely chap called Fred who loves to romp around his house au naturel until he finds his parents’ closet door open and ventures inside. Upon some consideration, Fred decides to have a try for himself: Dad’s clothes, which don’t fit him properly, and Mom’s clothes that actually fit him very well. But Fred is not finished! He dabbles in the jewellery and make-up drawer … and that’s when Mom and Dad enter the room – and join in the fun!

Determined to work with only four colours (combinations of which make all the colours in the book!), Brown has achieved a hazy effect that, when combined with the retro style of his illustrations and type, creates a feeling of travelling back to a happy memory. The tone throughout the story and illustrations is light-hearted and cosy, opening up a safe space for parents and children to talk about non-traditional gender roles. Fred Gets Dressed is a lovely picturebook that young readers will highly identify with, especially the romping around the house naked, but it will also appeal to curious older readers who observe the world and are discovering and exploring the many ways to express themselves.