I Need Pants!

Interpersonal engagement anchors a simple undersea tale that unfolds via conversation. At story’s start, an enthusiastic yellow and orange fish muses, “I need pants.” When a purple octopus responds logically (“You do not have legs. You do not need pants”), the fish pushes back, then launches into a list of further needs (toasty bunny slippers, a pink tutu, rainbow ribbons, warming mittens, and more), portrayed in Doherty’s expressive, coloring book–style illustrations. Rather than holding space for the fish’s desires, the octopus offers myriad reasons why the garb is unnecessary. Finally, though, the root of the matter arises as the fish indicates, “I know fish don’t need to wear anything. But what if I want to?” In direct prose, Sweet models how friends can learn to be attuned to each other, quirks and all. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)