I Like Old Clothes
By Mary Ann Hoberman
Alfred A. Knopf, $16.99, 32 pages
Mary Ann Hoberman’s children’s book I Like Old Clothes features the exploits of two small children as they enjoy playing dress up with wacky outfits. The duo illustrates what the lines of verse on each page describe – enjoying clothes that others had before them.
The older child is shown resourcefully clipping old clothes so they fit properly, using the scraps as patches and wistfully dreaming up the history of the clothing.
Who wore it before? Where did it go?
Though I Like Old Clothes was originally released more than 30 years ago, the message is still relevant. The book teaches appreciation for the common practice of recycling clothing – an important lesson for hand-me-down clothing recipients. The children show excitement for their new wardrobes and tell others that it shouldn’t matter if they are new.
The illustrations by Patrice Barton bring the book to life. Each page utilizes mixed media; stitching, watercolors and textures from real fabric create a visual scavenger hunt for young readers. The images reflect the book’s message of mixing and matching articles of clothing to come up with something totally unique.
Reviewed by Sophie Sestero
[amazon asin=0375869514&text=Buy On Amazon][amazon asin=0375869514&text=Buy On Amazon&template=carousel]