Reviews - Riverside Public Library

Booklist Reviews

PreS. Baby Solomon must get dressed by 8 a.m. so that Dad can drop him off at day care on his way to work. Crying "ME!" whenever bleary-eyed, disheveled Dad approaches to assist, Solomon dons his outfit in creative but untenable configurations. Intervention finally occurs when the "big hand is on the six^B and the little hand is on the seven," referring to the clock that tracks their progress. As in No Haircut Today! (2005), Savadier's doodly line-and-wash illustrations express the nuances of familiar parent-child interactions--Dad's devotion is clear as he awkwardly stoops to help, and the flushed faces communicate frayed nerves more powerfully than any words. The time concepts probably won't transform many toddlers into minute-minders, but the simple words and expressive pictures will elicit grins of recognition, especially among families acquainted with early morning marathons. Pair this with Margaret Chodos-Irvine's Ella Sarah Gets Dressed (2003). ((Reviewed April 1, 2006)) Copyright 2006 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

Solomon likes to dress himself ("ME!"), but thirty minutes later--pants on his head, sock on his hand, and shoe tied around his ankle--it's his weary-looking dad's turn to say "ME!" With their matching, nearly bald heads, father and son make a comic duo, each nicely taking turns leading the morning routine in this lighthearted but realistic view. Copyright 2006 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Horn Book Magazine Reviews

A wall clock shows the minutes ticking by as Solomon, who likes to dress himself ("ME!"), wrestles various articles of clothing away from his dad. Half an hour later, Solomon is dressed, sort of. Pants on his head, a sock on his hand, and a shoe tied around his ankle, Solomon may look silly, but he's one happy guy. Daddy points to the clock, though, and now it's his turn to say "ME!" Having had his turn, Solomon lets Dad re-dress him, and then it's on to breakfast -- but guess who insists on feeding himself. Kids will enjoy pointing out Solomon's mistakes; they'll also note that poor, disheveled Dad (shirt buttons, tie, and belt undone) could use some help in the dressing department, too. Parents will appreciate the lighthearted but realistic view: Dad is patient with his toddler but not unfailingly cheerful, and his wry and weary facial expressions will amuse both readers and listeners. The curved lines and round shapes in Savadier's ink-and-watercolor illustrations, set against a clean white background, relieve the tension in this battle of wills. With their matching, nearly bald heads, father and son make a comic duo, each nicely taking turns leading the morning routine. Copyright 2006 Horn Book Magazine Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

"Solomon likes to dress himself." Thus begins an hour-long quest to get Solomon attired and fed. As Daddy presents each item of clothing, Solomon responds with, "Me!" At the end of half an hour, Solomon has one arm through the sleeve of his shirt, pants on his head, a sock on his hand and a shoe tied around his ankle. Daddy, his own attire askew, helps Solomon put them in their proper places. But breakfast is a repeat skirmish. Patient Daddy gives Solomon another half hour to get the cereal in his mouth (on his hands, in his hair . . . ), then ends it by helping Solomon put on outdoor wear. Repeated sentence beginnings will allow youngsters to chime in and feel like they are reading. Savadier's watercolors are perfect. Lack of a background paired with minimal detail keep the focus where it belongs-on Solomon's struggle for independence and on the interaction between a son and his father, wonderfully captured in facial expressions. A must for any collection catering to toddlers and their harried parents. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus 2006 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Hot on the heels of her first solo effort, No Haircut Today! , Savadier has come up with another winner. The only one who's going to dress little Solomon is Solomon himself. "Me! " shouts the toddler whenever Daddy tries to help with an article of clothing. Solomon dresses with ingenuity as well as determination: when he can't get his pants on his chubby legs, he puts them on his head. As an alternative to inserting a foot into a sock, he slides it onto his hand, mitten-style. But with the minutes ticking away ("the big hand is on the six and the little hand is on the seven ..."), Daddy can play this game, too, and with a cry of "Me! " the parent manages to get Solomon dressed for breakfast--where another comic battle of wills gets underway. Savadier's pictures and dialogue once again showcase a gift for economy and humor, while key words (e.g., socks, shoes) appear in bold, crisp type. Her two-man cast is inspired: Daddy, a well-upholstered man with thinning hair and patience, is every bit as funny in his contortions and expressions as his stubborn offspring (with a similarly underdeveloped pate). Savadier's watercolor-and-ink drawings exude the same elegant fluidity as in her previous book, but the work feels tighter here, her observations more firmly tethered to domestic reality. Readers' laughs will be just as abundant as the glee of Solomon's final, cereal-soaked triumph. Ages 1-4. (Apr.)

School Library Journal Reviews

PreS -Dressing a squirmy toddler can be hard work, especially one who says, "ME! " as he dons each new piece of clothing. The results are, of course, silly, in this fun take on a fairly common topic. Patient up to a point, Dad finally takes over ("Now it's getting late, so when the big hand is on the six and the little hand is on the seven …Daddy says, ME! ") And then it's on to breakfast…. Savadier's skillfully rendered watercolors use thick, supple lines and soft colors set against lots of white space. With a rhythmic, lean text and charming pictures, this will be great for sharing, either in groups or one-on-one.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL