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Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress | Christine Baldacchino
19 posts | 16 read | 8 to read
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 classrooms dress-up center he loves wearing the tangerine dress. But the children in Morriss class dont understand. Dresses, they say, are for girls. And Morris certainly isnt welcome in the spaceship some of his classmates are building. Astronauts, they say, dont 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 Morriss vulnerability and the vibrancy of his imagination. This is a sweetly told story about the courage and creativity it takes to be different.
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CarlyJohnson

“This boy does.“

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CarlyJohnson

This is a perfect story about the courage and creativity it takes to be different. All ages could benefit from the reading of this story!

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CarlyJohnson
Pickpick

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress is a children's picture book written by Christine Baldacchino and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant. The illustrations bring this story to life. The title refers to the color tangerine which is very clear to children what type of color that is by looking at the illustrations. Many of the other colors throughout the pictures are dull to make the color orange the star of the book. Very cute story!

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laurenkiernan
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laurenkiernan

This story can be used in the classroom not only for its important message that anyone can like anything no matter if its a “girl thing“ or a “boy thing“ but it also allows students to understand the use of color and how everything that Morris cherished was the same color and hue.

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laurenkiernan
Pickpick

This book was illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant who did an excellent job with the reoccurring use of the tangerine color that is so important to Morris for many different reasons. Because the pages are more muted tones it allows for that contrast of the tangerine color to really pop on each page.

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sarahosterle

“When he thought of all the kids in his class and all the mean things they did and said, his tummy ached for real.“ This quote just shows that how words and actions are really powerful.

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sarahosterle

I think that this is a great book to introduce diversity and that it is okay to like different things. I also think it's really important to use as an educator to young children and adolescent because it talks about how important it is to be confident in what you like.

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sarahosterle
Pickpick

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino. 2014. Picture Book. Stonewall Honor Book in Children's and Young Adult Literature and American Library Associations Rainbow list. This books color is very vibrant snd shows the reader what the dress means to him. The orange color is soft and stand out as the lines around are harsh. Think this represents conformity and how Morris doesn't conform to this norm.

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laurenebailey14
Pickpick

This story tells us about a little boy who loves using his imagination. Morris loves his classroom's dress-up center -he loves wearing the tangerine dress. But the children in Morris's class don't understand. They tease and taunt him until he does not want to come to school anymore. After spending time at home with his cat, he returns to school wearing the dress with pride.

laurenebailey14 -Stonewall book award
-CCBC choices
-Canadian childrens literature award
2y
1 like1 comment
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ehrmans
Pickpick

Morris is a little boy that loves to use his imagination. He dreams about having space adventures, paints beautiful pictures, and sings the loudest during circle time. Most of all Morris loves his classroom's dress-up center, specifically the tangerine dress. His classmates don't understand though, they say that dresses are for girls only. This is a story displaying the creativity and courage that it takes to be different.

ehrmans Author: Christine Baldacchino. Illustrator: Isabelle Malenfant. Genre: fiction. Publication date: 2014.
2y
1 comment
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IndoorDame
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Pickpick

Fabulous illustrations in this one! Morris gets made fun of at school for how much he likes playing dress up, but eventually the other kids decide it‘s more fun to play with him than to miss out. #BBRCPictureBookLetterM @LibrarianRyan

LibrarianRyan until there was controversy over @DragQueenStorytime, I had never heard of this book. I am glad that controversy brought this title into my world. This book is just so lovely. 2y
IndoorDame @LibrarianRyan so lovely! One of my favorite new storybooks that I‘ve picked up in ages. And remarkably tame for all the controversy people manage to attach to it 2y
47 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Chellebearss
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Pickpick

This is a really great book for teaching acceptance to small children. Morris has his own reasons for loving the tangerine dress and the other students have a hard time looking past the fact that “boys don‘t wear dresses”. I loved that my daughter asked questions and we were able to have a discussion about boys and girls liking the same things and accepting people for who they are. 4🌟 thanks to @LibrarianRyan as this #litsyfind is from her review

LibrarianRyan Her review. Glad you both like it. 😁 6y
Chellebearss @LibrarianRyan sorry! Corrected😳 6y
LibrarianRyan @Chellebearss do t worry about it. Happens all the time. I blame my parents. 😁😜 6y
26 likes1 stack add4 comments
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LibrarianRyan
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Pickpick

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a wonderful story of a little boy who likes to play, and create art, and has a large imagination. And he likes to wear a tangerine dress from the dress up box. There are classmates who make fun of him, or will not let him join their games. But Morris is resilient. He decides that he can create his own play, and others can join him.

👇🏻for additional comments
GR for full review!

LibrarianRyan There has been some stories about this book being censored by parents who do not think it belongs in a public library. And yes, if it were not for that, I might never had heard of this book. But I am glad I did. You should look at what an uproar this little book caused in the Orange County Library in Iowa. rECENTLY!!!! I believe I posted some links under another post about this book. 6y
Chellebearss Thanks for sharing. I‘ll be sure to try and get it from my library for my daughter. 6y
MarriedtoMrT Same! Great book I may not have found if not for censoring attempts. I think I heard about when it was pulled from a district anti-bullying campaign, possibly in one of the Carolinas? My kid and I read and talked about it a lot! 6y
42 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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LibrarianRyan
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Pickpick

I don't know if this has come across anyone else's radar, but I wanted to bring it up. There is currently a petition for Orange County Public Library in Iowa to label all their LGBTQ books and refrain from buying more without the input of the residents. One of the books is tagged. I give it 5⭐️ and the review is on GR.

I know myself and other #litsyLibrarians feel for what this library is going through. I and many of us support you! 👇🏻

MelAnn So ridiculous!!! 6y
Libby1 Isn‘t Michael Caine‘s real name Maurice Micklewhite? 6y
Libby1 Just checked. It is! 6y
See All 12 Comments
LibrarianRyan To read more about what is going on check out the following articles. Http://bit.ly/2EWQVkR (gazette) https://www.scribd.com/document/372060295/Orange-City-flier (petition on Squibed) and https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/02/21/lgbtq-book-ban-controver... (Des Monies Register). As we celebrate world book day, no books should be made to feel separate, or the people who read them. (edited) 6y
LibrarianRyan @Libby1 that is kind of cool. 6y
LibrarianRyan @MelAnn @Libby1 I got side tracked putting up the links by a patron. They Re there now if you Re interested. (edited) 6y
Libby1 @LibrarianRyan - I was able to read one of the articles but couldn‘t get into the petition. Maybe because I‘m trying to access it from the UK? I hope the original movement doesn‘t succeed and these books aren‘t separated or censored. 6y
LibrarianRyan @Libby1 my URL shortness didn't work. I put the long addresses in. Should work now. 6y
Libby1 The petition appears to be IN FAVOUR of the separation of these books. I thought it was one against it. I‘m a Christian, and I find this sad and frustrating. They seem to be using faith as a weapon, and this angers and saddens me. 6y
LibrarianRyan @Libby1 I agree. Not only is the petition in favor but it was started by a physiologist. Also turns out it plays into the bill the would allows for religious exclusion in business practices. It's not a good thing. 6y
Libby1 No, not a good thing. I agree. That last article provides some clarity as well. The person who started the petition said it had been changed without his knowledge and took his name off of it. (edited) 6y
49 likes3 stack adds12 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
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Pickpick

Though Morris never stops wearing the titular dress, we see how his classmates' words and actions affect his emotional wellbeing. Thankfully, he continues to be himself and wins some classmates over. 🏳️‍🌈

70 likes1 stack add
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WanderingBookaneer
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Up next!

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Krisjericho
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Pickpick

I read this to my 4-year old, who loves trucks and Star Wars and sparkles and princesses. He's had plenty of negative comments when he wears his princess dress-up out in public, and he understood this story. I liked that Morris didn't try to change the mean kids - he just did his own thing, and stood up for himself without anger. Sometimes the kids changed, sometimes they didn't. Just like life. And the illustrations are terrific.

Krisjericho Plus, my Sam even kind of looks like Morris. :) 7y
Moray_Reads I'm jealous of his gorgeous hair, and his shirt 😍 Sorry you've had negative feedback. All power to Sam for being who he is ❤ 7y
Cinfhen 💕💕💕for you, Sam and this awesome book! 7y
TrishB Lovely 💝 and you're a fab Mum for letting him do his own thing! 7y
Centique Well done you guys! I follow a blogger here in NZ whose four year old wants to be a truck driver, ballet dancer and Elsa from Frozen 👍👍 He's a super kid and has had a bit of fame from dressing up and fundraising with his mum. Hopefully more people will wise up about letting kids be whatever they want 💕 7y
48 likes5 comments
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TheBookHippie
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Pickpick

@BookishFeminist here you go 💗☮️ feel free to steal the pic

My daughters friend committed suicide at 16 due to bullying from being transgender ...hard to believe in 10 years we are still here with this crap. Peace

TheBookHippie Edited above for our story^^^^ @BookishFeminist 7y
BookishFeminist I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's friend. It's so tragic that we are still facing these issues, not even just from cisgender heterosexual folks but those within the queer community as well. My heart goes out to you & your daughter. ❤️ 7y
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TheBookHippie @BookishFeminist I'm so afraid for the kids I mentor. We just keep speaking out, reading books is a big part. Education leads to understanding . 💗 7y
BookishFeminist @TheBookHippie It really does. Even if it doesn't change legal protections it helps prevent and qualm mental health problems for kids/teens who are trans or non-binary. Having an active, vocal support network saves lives, and books go a long way to change that. 7y
Bibliogeekery I love all the books you posted! I've read them all to my trans niece multiple times! My heart breaks for your daughter's friend. I work with trans-people daily as a therapist. We need to make the world such a better place for trans and gender non-conforming people. 💞❤️ 7y
mcctrish I just bought Red at the book fair at school 7y
Suet624 So sad.... 7y
TheBookHippie @Bibliogeekery 💗💗💗 I agree. Daily challenge . Love is so much better than fear mongering and hate. Sigh. Carry on warrior sister. Your job can't be easy these days. 7y
TheBookHippie @mcctrish It is a favorite 😄📕 7y
Bibliogeekery You too 💞❤️💞❤️ 7y
13 likes11 comments