Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed Review by Dana G. Williams

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed. New York: Hyperion Books, 2009. ISBN 9781423114376

2.  PLOT SUMMARY
In this story, Wilbur, the protagonist, is a naked mole rat who is supposed to be -- naked. Instead, Wilbur enjoys wearing all kinds of clothes and costumes. His individual style attracts negative attention from a group of three other naked mole rats. The antagonists argue with Wilbur that wearing clothes is unacceptable. When Wilbur will not back down and instead takes their sarcastic suggestion to open a clothing store to heart, his peer group takes him to see Grand-Pah, the community's elder, for his opinion. After much consideration, Grand-Pah makes his proclamation that clothes do not hurt anyone and wearing them should be up to the individual. The news of his approval of clothes, and of trying new things, makes the community more accepting of differences.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Children are very observant to the world around them. Often they see that what is similar is socially acceptable. However, in Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Willems explores the importance of self-expression and individuality in society. The story addresses a common childhood problem where one child is considered "weird" by a group of peers. When the young mole rats are unable to solve the conflict themselves, they approach an adult, the elderly Grand-Pah, for a resolution at the climax. 

Willems' written theme is illustrated well. Life in the naked mole rat tunnels is very plain. The mole rats are pink; the background is light brown. Willems' uses simple, rounded lines to illustrate the mole rats' underground city and the only colors in their world comes from the vibrant clothing that Wilbur wears. Willems uses omniscient point of view to tell the main narration of the story and highlights the word proclamation in heavy set, large, bold type to visually impress the importance of Grand-Pah's words in his decision on the reader. In the end, children can understand that no matter how someone is different, they can all get to know each other, respect each other as individuals and have a great time together.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
From School Library Journal
"Willems has a talent for creating funny lines, verbally and visually. Beige backgrounds provide an uncluttered stage for his pink creatures with their oversize rectangular heads, each conveying a distinctive personality. Much of the humor resides in the subtle changes in Wilbur's eyes and, of course, in his colorful costumes."

From Booklist
"Willems’ art follows the simple style of his Elephant and Piggie books, and is dominated in color by (no surprise) naked-mole-rat pink. An ongoing horizontal line lends continuity to most of the pages, occasionally curving to add simple architecture to the scenes. But mostly it is Wilbur’s guileless observations that will have young readers feeling good about individual expression."

5. CONNECTIONS
Other books about the importance of individuality, self-expression and acceptance:

• Drescher, Fran. Being Wendy. ISBN 9780448456881
• Munsch, Robert. Stephanie's Ponytail. ISBN 9781550374841
• Seuss, Dr. The Sneetches. ISBN 9780394800899

More from Mo Willems:

• I am a Frog. ISBN 9781423183051
• I Love My New Toy. ISBN 9781423109617
• Knuffle Bunny. ISBN 9780786818709

Use as a playful and comedic way to introduce preschoolers and early elementary children to the importance of self-expression and tolerance within a caring community.