Morris is a little boy who loves using his imagination. But most of all, Morris loves his classroom's dress-up center and its tangerine dress.

Morris is a little boy who loves using his imagination. He dreams about having space adventures, paints beautiful pictures and sings the loudest during circle time. But most of all, Morris loves his classroom's dress-up center - he loves wearing the tangerine dress.

But the children in Morris's class don't understand. Dresses, they say, are for girls. And Morris certainly isn't welcome in the spaceship some of his classmates are building. Astronauts, they say, don't wear dresses.

One day when Morris feels all alone, and sick from the taunts of his classmates, his mother lets him stay home from school. Morris reads about elephants, and puts together a puzzle, and dreams of a fantastic space adventure with his cat, Moo.

Inspired by his dream, Morris paints the incredible scene he saw, and brings it with him to school. He builds his own spaceship, hangs his painting on the front of it and takes two of his classmates on an outer space adventure.

With warm, dreamy illustrations Isabelle Malenfant perfectly captures Morris's vulnerability and the vibrancy of his imagination. This is a sweetly told story about the courage and creativity it takes to be different.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

About the Author
CHRISTINE BALDACCHINO is a writer and artist with a background in early childhood education. She is the author of two picture books, including Violet Shrink, illustrated by Carmen Mok, a love letter to introversion, imagination and protecting one's own energy; and the Stonewall Honor recipient Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, which won the CBC Bookie Award for Best Picture Book, was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award and has appeared on a number of lists, including Kirkus Best Picture Books That Celebrate Diversity and the American Library Association's Rainbow Book List. Christine currently lives with her husband and cat in Toronto, Ontario. ISABELLE MALENFANT was born in the north of Quebec, between gold mines and lakes, in the city of Val d'Or. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Universite du Quebec a Montreal, then fell in love with illustration. Since then, Isabelle has illustrated more than twenty children's books, including the highly acclaimed Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino. She lives with her family in Montreal.

Reviews
[R]ather than presenting an overt message about gender identity, the book provides a subtle and refreshing glimpse at a boy who simply likes to dress up. * School Library Journal *
Baldacchino doesn't sugar-coat the teasing and isolation Morris endures. . . . Malenfant showcases Morris's full emotional spectrum. * Publishers Weekly *
Morris is a complex character whose creativity and personality shine. . . . Sensitive and reassuring. * Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW *
[A] wonderfully moving and enriching picture book. Morris is a relateable character whom many readers will find both sympathetic and familiar. * Quill & Quire, STARRED REVIEW *
Unlike some more messagey titles on the subject, this one provides Morris with a personality beyond his dress-loving nature, making him enjoyable literary company. * Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books *
First-time author Christine Baldacchino debunks all the shoulds and shouldn'ts of children's behavior merely based on the number of x-chromosomes. . . . Veteran illustrator Isabelle Malenfant imbues young Morris with such expressiveness, from his curious joy to hurt silence to cruel rejection to hopeful triumph. * BookDragon *
Christine Baldacchino's story and Isabelle Malenfant's delightful illustrations show how being different is sometimes the bravest thing you can be. * National Post *
Baldacchino's gentle story sensitively depicts gender nonconforming children, offering them reassurance and, one hopes, acceptance by introducing other children to the concept. * Booklist *


Awards
Winner of CBC Bookie Award for Best Picture Book 2015 (Canada). Commended for American Library Association Rainbow List 2015 (United States) and Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens 2014 (Canada) and Today's Parent Top Picture Books of the Year 2014 (Canada) and Kirkus Best Picture Books Celebrating Diversity 2014 (United States) and Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year 2014 (United States) and Quill & Quire Books of the Year for Young People 2014 (Canada) and Huffington Post Best Picture Books of the Year: Most Touching/Heartwarming 2014 (United States) and Stonewall Honor Books in Children's and Young Adult Literature 2015 (United States) and Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices 2015 (United States). Short-listed for Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award 2015 (Canada) and Blue Spruce Award 2015 (Canada) and TD Canadian Children's Literature Award 2015 (Canada).



Book Information
ISBN 9781554983476
Author Christine Baldacchino
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Publisher Groundwood Books Ltd ,Canada
Weight(grams) 354g