Green Pants
Jameson really loves green pants, when he wears them he can do anything. But when he is invited to be in his cousin's wedding, he is torn. He really wants to be in the wedding, but he would have to wear a tuxedo, a black tuxedo. So what will he do? Will he brave the black pants and be in the wedding? Or will he stick to his green pants? It is a tough decision. A really tough decision. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGH!!!
Green Pants is published by Candlewick Press. It is available at your local bookstore and online at Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.
Green Pants is published by Candlewick Press. It is available at your local bookstore and online at Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.
About the story
It may not come as a surprise that the inspiration for this book was a pair of green pants. They were canvas Carhartts. They had a long side pocket that I loved, perfect for carrying screw drivers, a utility knife, or pens and pencils. I tried to find another pair and the closest that I could find were really floppy around the ankles and made me feel awkward, not amazing.
I think being a parent had a big influence on this story as well. Jameson's decision is front and center in the book, but in the background his mom is having to make certain parenting decisions herself that might be as difficult as Jameson's!
I had planned to put a quote from Homer's Illiad at the beginning or at the end of the book, but there wasn't a good spot for it. Here it is, just in case someone else finds its connection to Green Pants as hilarious as I do:
I think being a parent had a big influence on this story as well. Jameson's decision is front and center in the book, but in the background his mom is having to make certain parenting decisions herself that might be as difficult as Jameson's!
I had planned to put a quote from Homer's Illiad at the beginning or at the end of the book, but there wasn't a good spot for it. Here it is, just in case someone else finds its connection to Green Pants as hilarious as I do:
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Then godlike Achilles made a test of his armor, to see that it fitted him well, that his glorious limbs were free to move within it. Achilles felt as though he wore wings, and the armor lifted him, the shepherd of the people.
from Barry Powell's translation, Oxford University Press |
In a starred review, Kirkus said, "this quirky kid and his loving family will instantly endear themselves to readers."
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The New York Times called Green Pants "a heartwarming tale attuned to the emotional highs and lows of childhood and the amazing elasticity of family love."
Here is an interview I did with Kirkus Reviews about Green Pants.
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Teaching Resources
Click here to download a teacher tip sheet from Candlewick Press.
Click here for questions and activities from the the Children's Bookshelf.
Click here for questions and activities from the the Children's Bookshelf.
