• 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.

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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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