Summer Reading Day 49: Feeling that I had to somehow make up for the unexpected and unpleasant racism of yesterday’s book, today we read Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christina Baldacchino. This book was recommended to me by a fellow librarian for a storytime display at my Body Positivity/Diversity storytime. It looked interesting, so I brought it home for JJ, and I’m so pleased I did.

The story is about a little boy who loves his mother, his cat, and going to school, especially when he can play with the dress up costumes. He especially likes a tangerine dress (the color of tigers and his mommy’s hair) that makes nice sounds when he moves. Unfortunately, the other children tease and exclude him when he wears it. Morris perseveres though, refusing to be anyone other than himself. Obviously, this book has a beautiful message: acceptance, self-confidence, and that you should wear whatever makes you happy and comfortable. I loved it, JJ loved it, and moreover, I’m just happy that it exists. Big thumbs up.