Dirtball Pete

Written and illustrated by Eileen Brennan. New York: Random House, 2010.

Dirtball Pete is dirty and stinky. And that's a fact. His mother said so and his Aunt Marion agreed, along with his sister Amanda and her friend Janine. Normally it would be fine for Dirtball Pete to be so, well, dirty, but today is The Fifty States and Why They're Great! day at school, and Pete is representing the state of Pennsylvania and he has a speech to recite. His mother, armed with a loofah and brush, is determined to get her son clean so that everyone can see what a special and wonderful boy he is under all the filth. But, Dirtball Pete doesn't stay clean for long en route to his school. What will happen when it's his turn to recite his speech? Will he make his mom proud even if he's a dirtball?

This story is absolutely charming! I loved the illustrations, especially the facial expressions. They are done in cartoon style, and kids will pore over all the dirty things attached to poor Pete. Dirtball Pete is just a happy boy, in spite of all his dirtiness. I think that's part of what makes him so lovable. This is a great story about accepting who you are, and being proud of yourself, despite the occasional dirt spot. It's not about what you look like on the outside, but who you are on the inside. Now, kids, go get dirty!