Willis, Jeanne. Bear Who Had Nothing to Wear, The. Brian Fitzgerald, Illus. Scallywag, 03/2025. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-915252-95-1. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Unlike other teddy bears, Albie doesn’t like to wear the clothes chosen by his owner, and although the text uses “he/him” pronouns, it also states “Was Albie a daddy bear, mummy, or baby? When asked, he would growl a grumbly “Maybe.” Originally published in the UK in 2023, this is a humorous look at gender identity for young children. The rhyming text goes through the days of the week from Monday to Sunday, showing Albie wearing various costumes, including a cowboy, pirate, and butterfly queen, until his final choice is a rainbow hat. The brightly colored artwork helps to convey the story, with Albie’s stubborn facial expression, and rainbow backgrounds in several scenes. This timely book is sure to be popular but is subtle enough to avoid being didactic or message-driven.
Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool