No Clean Clothes

No Clean Clothes is a classically funny, clichéd Robert Munsch book based on a ‘realistic’ problem that turns ridiculous and out of control! In No Clean Clothes, Lacey does not have anything to wear to school except for her ‘Strange Grandma Present’, which are shirts with strange sayings on them that have been given to Lucy as Grandma’s birthday presents throughout the years. Some of these sayings include “Snoogie Wookums” and “Cuddly Wunkums”. In the past, when Lacey has worn these shirts, she had been laughed at by everyone, and so she does not want to wear her sixth birthday shirt to school. Lacey’s mom convinces her to wear the shirt, with the promise that she will wash a different shirt for her and bring it to her during recess at school. Lacey dons her “Kiss Me – I’m Perfect” shirt and reluctantly heads to school.

In true Munsch fashion, with Martchenko’s classically familiar illustrations, hilarity ensues on Lacey’s way to school as various animals, from an adorable dog to a sloppy moose, proceed to read her shirt and grace her with all manner of kisses! Instead of being bothered by this attention, Lacey is delighted! Her day turns out much better than she imagined – until she is kissed by a BOY – but even that can’t ruin a day that’s become so good that Lacey ‘forgets’ about meeting her mother and swapping out her shirt, and everyone gains a greater appreciation for the ‘Strange Grandma Shirt’. Martchenko’s bright, slightly exaggerated drawings bring immediate comfort and nostalgia to anyone familiar with Munsch’s stories. Friendly, goofy animals and realistic caricatures of people will have readers engaging over and over again with both the story and illustrations in No Clean Clothes

This updated version of No Clean Clothes features a slightly different cover with the cover image zoomed in slightly and the title becoming ‘free floating’ with flies buzzing around it. The previous cover had the letters of the title hanging from a clothesline with clothespins. Munsch’s and Martchenko’s photos have also been updated on the back cover. This book is quintessentially Munsch/Martchenko and a definite addition to all classrooms and libraries, but the claim of a ‘must-have Munsch new look’ on the front cover of this new printing is misleading as the story and illustrations themselves have not changed at all.