The Spectacular Suit

A buoyant and heartwarming celebration of individuality, identity, and finding the clothes that fit.

 

 

It’s almost Frankie’s birthday and everything is ready — except for something to wear. All of her party dresses feel wrong. Her family tries to help, but it’s no good. What Frankie longs for is a suit. A spectacular suit …

 

Can Frankie make herself look David-Bowie-level amazing in time for the big day?

 

A bright invitation to all children to wear what makes them feel joy, beyond traditional gender roles.

 

 

IN THE MEDIA

 

"Immensely charming … A delightful, affirming story about finding your unique look without reducing it to simplistic, black-and-white, or reductive ideas about gender presentation. One of a kind." —Kirkus Reviews

 

"From Kat Patrick, author of Doodle Cat and Howl, comes a gorgeous picture book about the nervous joy of expressing yourself through clothing and the strength that comes with family support. Finding the perfect look (especially one with such strong Bowie vibes) for your own party can be incredibly empowering, and The Spectacular Suit also plays with gender in the same, delightful way that children do. Artist Hayley Wells’s picture book debut is warmly illustrated in a limited colour palette, creating a cohesive story world … While this story is a great one for sharing with children from the age of three, when the desire to choose your own outfit really begins to take hold, it could be perfect for those well into primary school, when individuality and identity begin to take on more significance." —Michael Earp, Books + Publishing

 

"This is a vibrant, charming book about how clothes can make you feel special and the importance of wearing the clothes that reflect your identity. [...] It’s a delightful book."—Angela Crocombe, Readings Kids

 

"Empowering … will help both children and their adult readers consider the way in which we use outer armour to reflect our inner selves."—Sara Keating, The Irish Times

 

 

THE AUTHORS

 

Kat Patrick recently realised they never actually grew up, and so they’ve been trying to make a living as a writer ever since. Originally from the UK, they have written their way around the world, and after stints in New Zealand, Australia, Iceland, Paris, and Patagonia, are now based in Glasgow.

 

Hayley Wells is a UK-based illustrator who loves to grow vegetables and drink coffee. They have an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art. The Spectacular Suit is their first picture book.