Ogilvy

February 25, 2019
Ogilvy, a knitwear-clad rabbit who’s new in town, arrives at the local park to find bunnies “drawing and knitting and climbing” and even playing ball. But Ogilvy’s affable approach is met with stares and a demanding “what is that you’re wearing?” The town’s social norms, it seems, mean that only “bunnies in dresses play ball and knit socks,” whereas “bunnies in sweaters make art and climb rocks.” In the mood for ball, Ogilvy calls the knit tunic a dress—for the day. Relabeling the recurring outfit at will, Ogilvy enjoys the freedom choice affords until a group of bunnies demand that Ogilvy choose a garment type “once and for all.” Rather than balk, the rabbit takes a stand, confronting the group about its unnecessary strictures. Bouncy, rhyming text by Underwood (The Panda Problem) lightens direct commentary on the limitations of binaries and outdated standards, while simple lines and knit textures by McBeth (Robot in Love) create a sense of aesthetic cohesion. Seussian in theme and verse, the enjoyable readaloud bears slight semblance to The Sneetches and offers an excellent entry point to conversations about celebrating individuality and
personal choice. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions.

Starred review from March 15, 2019
Clothes do not make the bunny. When Ogilvy, a bunny of unknown gender, moves to a new town, they are initially excited to play with other bunnies in their neighborhood. But Ogilvy finds themselves the center of unwanted attention because of their attire: a long, knit turtleneck. The local rules are soon broken down: Bunnies in dresses can knit and play baseball, and bunnies in sweaters can create art and go rock climbing. No crossovers allowed. But what is Ogilvy wearing? Is it a dress or a sweater? Ogilvy decides daily it's one or the other depending on their mood, until run-ins with the unofficial fashion police finally come to a head. In that moment, Ogilvy finds their voice and convinces the town that it's OK to break the mold and try new things. It's a strong message told subtly. The book is multifaceted, making it relevant to everyone, but it will particularly resonate with gender-nonconforming kids, transgender kids, nonbinary kids, and kids who are exploring gender fluidity. It does a lot of heavy lifting. Underwood's rhyming text flows smoothly and adeptly functions without third-person pronouns, making Ogilvy's particular gender identity a non-issue. McBeth's illustrations digitally collage knitwear onto cartoon bunnies and match the mood nicely, but it is odd that Ogilvy's clothes are a duller palette than the other bunnies'.Drag queens may throw some shade at Ogilvy's wardrobe, but that's this book's only flaw. (Picture book. 5-10)

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May 1, 2019
Ogilvy, a wide-eyed, line-drawn bunny, is excited to make friends in a new town. But upon arrival, the rabbit's sartorial choices are challenged; Ogilvy, clad in a knit article of clothing, is asked: Is it a sweater or is it a dress? In this town, according to the dress-clad sourpuss posing the question, all bunnies wear either?and only?one or the other. The designation of Ogilvy's knee-length, turtleneck garment apparently matters greatly, for bunnies in dresses play ball and knit socks / and bunnies in sweaters make art and climb rocks. All these activities appeal to Ogilvy, who declares the garment a dress one day and a sweater the next, much to the rule-enforcer's chagrin. The parallels with real-life gender-based strictures are immediately obvious, and the arbitrariness and silliness of the book's imaginary categories encourage readers to consider whether real-world ones make much sense. The tone reflects that silliness throughout, with a jaunty (gender pronoun-free) rhyming text and spare, cartoony illustrations made with graphite pencils, Adobe Photoshop, and sweaters, whose bold lines and loose shadows give a classic feel to this fable with a modern message. shoshana flax

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2019
The designation of bunny Ogilvy's knee-length, turtleneck garment ("Is it a sweater or is it a dress?") apparently matters greatly, "for bunnies in dresses play ball and knit socks / and bunnies in sweaters make art and climb rocks." The arbitrary imaginary categories encourage readers to consider whether real-world ones make much sense. The modern fable's tone reflects silliness throughout, with jaunty (gender pronounfree) rhyming text and spare, cartoony mixed-media illustrations with bold lines.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)