The Naked Streak

Book Reviews

Shannon Anderson reviews Kim Howard’s The Naked Streak.

Monthly reviews of books written by Indiana authors are made possible by the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards and Indiana Humanities. Opinions expressed in this review are solely those of the reviewer, not any affiliated entity.

The Naked Streak is a laugh-out-loud read about a young boy who is bold in his clothing preferences! Kids will giggle when they see the progression of clothing items rejected. When this bare-bottomed boy decides to streak in the store and at storytime, the illustrator perfectly captures the onlookers’ shocked faces and laughter.

This is a relatable story for many caregivers who have parented through those autonomous, free-spirited stages in a child’s life. I know I have looked back on many photos from my own childhood where the only item I was wearing was a necklace.

With its playful illustrations and simple text progression, kids will enjoy seeing this silly story unfold. A bonus is the use of the days of the week, as this kiddo goes from wearing nothing at all to a little bit of something from everyone in the house:

“On Monday it was decided there would be no more hats.
On Tuesday it was decided there would be no more coats.”

The Naked Streak makes for a fun read-aloud. This book is also a great story for beginning readers, with its simple sentences and days-of-the-week sequencing.

You can’t help but smile from beginning to ‘end’ with this charming book.

About Kim Howard

Kim Howard is a picture book author from Indiana. She has a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies, owns an Etsy shop, and is a former teacher. Her debut picture book, Grace and Box, was published January 2021 by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan. Grace and Box was the winner of the 2022 Indiana Authors Award in the children’s category and was selected to represent Indiana at the 2023 National Book Festival. Her writing has been featured in places like Scary Mommy, Her View from Home, Edutopia, the Indianapolis Moms Collective, The Nerdy Book Club, and Imagination Soup. She lives with her family in Bloomington and loves coffee, being outside, and doing author visits to schools.

About Shannon Anderson

Shannon Anderson is a TEDx speaker, certified brain coach, and award-winning children’s book author who has spent over 26 years inspiring young minds as an elementary school teacher and professor. Named one of the Top 10 Teachers who inspired the Today Show, Shannon brings high energy, heart, and humor to every stage she steps on. A lifelong educator and storyteller, Shannon has published numerous children’s books, one of which was featured on Ryan Reynolds’ show, Bedtime Stories with Ryan, where he read her book, I LOVE Strawberries! to kids around the world. Today, Shannon writes and speaks full-time, traveling across the country to deliver dynamic author visits, keynotes, and workshops. She is passionate about helping both kids and adults discover their purpose, set meaningful goals, and develop habits that align with who they are meant to be. Whether in classrooms, conferences, or auditoriums, Shannon’s mission is the same: to spark joy, ignite curiosity, and encourage everyone she meets to live with intention and possibility. You can learn more at www.shannonisteaching.com.