NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED

Naked mole rats are pretty funny to begin with, and they're even funnier as illustrated by Mo Willems, with their bubblegum-pink complexions, outsize heads, and big buckteeth. Author Willems is the reasonable voice of Wilbur while his daughter, Trixie, narrates the bulk of the book in a childlike but professional voice. The other naked mole rats are annoyed that Wilbur prefers to wear clothes. "When I get dressed, I can be fancy, or funny, or cool, or I can just be an astronaut," Wilbur says. Persistent background music occasionally threatens to slow down the pacing and overwhelm the gentle, silly story, but young listeners and their parents will laugh and appreciate the message about acceptance and self-expression. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2011]