Children’s Books About Clothing

Having clothing on our backs is a basic need that many of us take for granted. Many children and adults around the world do not have the luxury of having new things to wear.  There is also some clothing worn by others that we don’t understand.  Broaden your students understanding and compassion by reading these children’s books about clothing. 

You can even extend the discussion about clothing during a Family Dinner Book Club.  See how-to below.

Books About Clothing for Children

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Books About Clothing Challenges

Sometimes we want the new and shiny thing that all the other kids have, but those are wants vs needs. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts explores this idea when a young boy is on a mission to get a pair of shoes he really wants.

The Can Man by Laura E. Williams is about a boy who learns a lesson of kindness and thinking of others who are in need especially a man in need of a coat.

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams literally helps young children walk in the shoes of other children who have to wash their clothes in the river and walk to get daily water. It’s a great book to use for teaching empathy as well as the challenge of water for daily life survival.

Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming was a featured book in a previous Family Dinner Book Club Trip to the Netherlands.  After WWII, resources are scarce in the Netherlands.  Thanks to care packages from the United States, Katje and her community receive some much-needed gifts such as clothing and food.

In Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah Hoffman, Jacob wants to wear a dress to school, but some kids say he can’t wear “girl” clothes. Children who don’t identify with traditional gender roles face challenges like this often.

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes is the story of a young girl who tells her classmates that she has 100 dresses in her closet.  Yet, she wears the same dress every day.  The kids begin to tease her at school.  From there, lots of lessons are learned.  The Hundred Dresses was also another Family Dinner Book Club featured book.

When a kind and resourceful shoe man repairs old shoes, he makes sure that rich and poor can get shoes in Shoebox Sam by Mary Brigid Barrett.

Sometimes resources are scarce and it is tough to fulfill basic needs.  This is especially true after a war.  In A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert, a mother trades the few valuables she has for materials and services to have a new coat made for her daughter.  Also, check out the Rag Coat by Lauren Mills.

Learning About Different Types of Clothing and Other Items We Wear

Under My Hijab by Hena Khan showcases the different ways a hijab can be worn as well as featuring when they are and aren’t worn by women. It’s a wonderful book to bring awareness to this dressing practice by Muslim women.  Also check out Mommy’s Khimarby Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and the upcoming book, The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Hats of Faith by Medeia Cohan is a simple board book that identifies different headdresses worn for religious reasons.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes by Ann Morris is a picture journey through all the different kinds of shoe worn around the world.  Also check out Morris’ Hats, Hats, Hats.

In Whose Shoes? by Stephen R. Swinburne, children get to guess which community worker wears which pair of shoes.  Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do by Kathryn Heling is similar but about clothes.

What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World by Maya Ajmera is a photographic journey around the world looking at clothing that is worn in different areas.

Get the Printable Book List and Conversation Starters

Grab the printable book list that you can take to the library or share with other families. You also get six conversation starters to spark discussion on the topic.

Just click the button below.

Create a Family Dinner Book Club Featuring Clothing

What is a Family Dinner Book Club?

Each month:

• On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
• Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to complement the theme for the month.
• Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity that relates to the theme.
• And, I share a book list that compliments the themes, conversation starters, and a family service project.

Books and Conversation Starters

For our theme of  CLOTHING,  you have found the book list and discussion starters on this page. (see above)

Themed Menu

Check out the themed menu you can eat with your family from Chef Sarah Elizabeth. —> School Themed Menu

Book Related Activity

And, visit Sunny Day Family for an activity to do with the theme.—>Back to School Shopping that Gives Back Activity

Family Service Project

There are so many ways to help people who need clothing.  Try one of these ideas this month with your family.

• Donate clothing to local charities.
• Contribute to the Pajama Program.

This Family Dinner Book Club can just be the first of many.  Join us in a year-long focus of kids making a difference in the world.—>See All The Kids Making a Difference in the World Family Dinner Book Clubs