• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: k to 2

A determined, fashion-forward fish sets an example in staying true to your wildest wishes

Fish wishes for pants. But Octopus is quick to point out that Fish can’t wear pants … because fish don’t have legs. When Fish runs through a long list of different wishes—fuzzy bunny slippers, a pink tutu, a bow tie, earmuffs, and even a raincoat—Octopus shuts down all of these ideas too. “I know fish don’t need to wear anything,” Fish finally says. “But what if I want to?”

Octopus frets that other sea creatures might make fun of Fish. But once Fish finds a pair of pants and struts around the ocean in style, Octopus decides to try a few (four!) pairs on for size … and comes to appreciate the joys of dressing just the way you want to.

Cheerful artwork and punchy, laugh-out-loud text celebrate following your heart—and supporting your friends in following theirs—in this uplifting ode to self-expression.

SUSAN SWEET is a clinical child psychologist with School Mental Health Ontario, a provincial team supporting all school boards in Ontario to enhance student mental health and well-being. Susan lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Susan Sweet's profile page

CAILIN DOHERTY is a Toronto-based illustrator. She specializes in 2D work with a focus on children's illustration. She has an ongoing feud with squirrels and raccoons living in her garage which inspires her quirky and funny character designs. I Need Pants! is her debut picture book.

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"A premise that will surely ­delight ... Funny and simple, this book will be a story hour hit with children, as well as an option for early independent reading."

School Library Journal

"Could spark an intriguing discussion of wants versus needs and will encourage readers to embrace their own individual styles ... A fin-tastic look at individuality."

Kirkus Reviews