Clothes to Make You Smile

Patrick Kelly Designs His Dreams

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Abrams Books for Young Readers

(pub. 1.13.2026)

48 pages

Ages 4 - 8

Author: Eric Darnell Pritchard

   Illustrator: Shannon Wright

Character: Patrick Kelly

Overview:

" Patrick Kelly was one of the most influential fashion designers of the twentieth century, but growing up in Vicksburg, Mississippi, he didn’t see many boys who liked to sew. That didn’t stop him from sitting down at his grandma’s table and picking up a needle and thread.

Patrick loved the way clothes could make someone feel their best, and he dreamed of creating designs full of joy and whimsy. Those dreams brought him to some of the biggest cities in the world, but when he got there, he was told that his clothes were too vibrant, too tacky, and too much!

When the fashion world rejected his designs, Patrick just laughed and carried right on working. He created clothes for people like him, outsiders who didn’t grow up fitting in but weren’t afraid to stand out. He filled his designs with love, and when the world finally recognized his talent, they couldn’t help but smile.

Tantalizing taste:

"He sewed so much his machine blew out the electricity in his apartment. But Patrick laughed and carried on as best as could.

With no machine he continued, hand sewing by candlelight.

Every week, the stage was filled with the bigget, wildest, most outrageous costumes Patrick could imagine.

And every night, the crowds shouted:

'Fantastique!'

'Magnifique!'

'Tres chic!'

And something more: Eric Darnell Pritchard shared in the Author's Note: "I hope that this book about Patrick's life and creations will always be there when you - or someone you know - needs the reminder that our dreams are achievable, that standing out is a superpower, that creating and sharing things that bring more joy to a sometimes sad, scary world is a choice we can make every day, and most of all, that Patrick Kelly loves you."