Getting dressed is the first negotiation of the day, and almost nobody wins it cleanly. A two-year-old discovers that a shirt has a hole for the head and two smaller ones that are not for the head. Boots go on the wrong feet and feel strange in a way that cannot be explained, only wailed about. Somebody has strong opinions about the red skirt and no opinion at all about the weather. And every so often a child appears in the kitchen fully and correctly dressed, having done the whole thing alone, radiating the smugness of a person who has just landed a plane.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of getting dressed books, our editors picked twelve that are actually useful at 7:40 in the morning: board books that name each garment while you are wrestling it on, comedies about children who refuse the snowsuit, a first taste of big-kid underwear, and stories for the child determined to do every button without help. Start with the shortlist, then browse the board-book and picture-book shelves below.
Froggy dresses for the snow four separate times, because he keeps forgetting something important.
Blue hat, green hat, red hat — and one turkey who puts everything on the wrong part of himself.
Ella Sarah has chosen pink polka-dot pants, a red hat, and yellow shoes, and no, she will not reconsider.
Alfie’s new wellington boots feel wrong all morning, and it takes his dad to work out why.
Thomas will not put on the snowsuit, and neither his mother, his teacher, nor the principal can make him.
Assorted vegetables model their underwear and make a strong case for retiring the diaper.
A bear cub answers the same rhyming question all day: what will you wear now?
Polar Bear has lost his underwear, and the pair you find behind each die-cut page belongs to somebody else.
Little Critter can tie, button, zip, and pour — and lists every last accomplishment for you.
A cumulative rhyme piles on the jacket, the scarf, the mittens, the boots, and every layer after that.
Wilbur likes wearing clothes, which is a problem in a colony where nobody wears any.
Across a city, 105 grown-ups bathe, dress in black and white, and turn into an orchestra.
Hats, shoes, snaps, and big-kid underwear, in books sturdy enough to be read on the floor while somebody is only half dressed — ages 0–4.
Discover which animal wears what in this tactile adventure.
Discover Maisy's world through playful tabs and familiar scenes.
Discover timeless fashion through elegant illustrations and classic quotes in a stylish primer for little ones.
A toddler's journey to ditch diapers for big girl panties.
A diverse group of friends celebrates creativity through music, dance, and play.
Discover animals in playful outfits, making dressing up fun for toddlers.
Discover where clothes really belong in this playful dressing adventure.
A young boy embarks on a journey to ditch diapers for big boy underpants.
Can fashion-forward Mary keep her friends stylish yet ready for recess?
Guess the animals' antics and lift the flap to reveal the truth.
Friends explore costumes before settling into pajamas.
Discover the excitement of a first school day through playful animal routines.
Snowsuit standoffs, boots on the wrong feet, forgotten underwear, and children who have chosen an outfit and will not be talked out of it — ages 3–8.
A girl defies norms by choosing to wear pants, challenging society's rules.
A bilingual girl embraces each season with playful dress-up adventures.
Pirate Jack needs every color for his outfit. What's missing?
Bedtime turns into a glittery dress-up adventure for two playful friends.
What will Ollie wear to school? Discover the hilarious choices!
Animal families embrace a new day in Morningtown.
A cheeky child turns bedtime into a zoo adventure.
A chaotic bedtime turns into an imaginative adventure.
Can the kids stay picture-perfect for class photo day?
Countdown to kindergarten sparks excitement and anticipation.
A girl delights in dressing like her mom, exploring colors and creativity.
