In defiance of his species name, Wilbur the naked mole rat likes to wear clothes. Undaunted by the teasing and taunting of his fellow naked mole rats, Wilbur enjoys the creativity offered by clothing. As he explains, he can be “fancy, or funny, or cool, or I can just be an astronaut.” When a sarcastic rat suggests he open a clothing store, he does just that, and when rats declare again that “NAKED MOLE RATS DON’T WEAR CLOTHES!” Wilbur asks, “Why not?” Unable to convince Wilbur of the error of his ways, the others head to the Grand-Pah for an authoritative condemnation. To their great surprise, after thoughtful consideration the wise old Grand-Pah acknowledges that clothes may not be for everyone, but he wishes he “had tried getting dressed earlier.” (He also compliments Wilbur on his socks.) In celebration of individual choice, Wilbur’s campaign to bring clothing to the mole rats formerly known as naked brims with humorous asides in both story and art. (Ages 4–7)

Wilbur, a naked mole rat who likes to wear clothes, is forced to go before the wise community elder, who surprises the other naked mole rats with his pronouncement.