The Naked Streak

by Kim Howard, Jaime Kim (Illustrator)

Dress birthday suit! Here is a side-splittingly funny picture book about a kid who refuses to wear any clothing -- until they discover a few unusual fashion pieces...

On a scooter -- naked! In the cereal aisle -- naked! During story time -- naked! All week, the kid's parents beg them to put on some clothes, but their naked streak wears on. There's no end in sight. (Well, other than one *rear* end...) Come on, who cares about boring old clothes?

Until… they find an oh-so-sparkly tutu in their sister's closet. And ooh, her favorite pair of underwear -- that would make a fancy shirt, wouldn't it? Plus, Woof Woof won't miss his collar, will he? It's such a glamorous necklace! 

In this laugh-out-loud picture book that celebrates creativity and individuality, join a free-spirited kid as they finally break their naked streak by creating an ultra-wacky outfit all their own.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor

40 pages, Library Binding

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

Kim Howard lives in southern Indiana with her family. She has a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies and is a former teacher. Her debut picture book GRACE AND BOX won the 2022 Indiana Authors Award. Recent titles include DO MOMMIES EVER SLEEP? and THE NAKED STREAK. She is represented by Jennifer Weltz of the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency.

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

An omnipotent, bemused, and eventually exasperated narrator showcases the chaos one household experiences as a determined preschooler chooses to abandon clothing altogether. Over the course of a week, “it was decided there would be no more hats.” Parallel construction, beloved by the target audience, walks us through the rest of the days in which coats, socks, shirts, pants, and finally, underwear are rejected. Vignettes show the little boy (who cues as Asian-American with his light-colored skin and dark hair and eyes) progressively discarding garments until a final two page-spread shows him completely nude and joyously dancing, his private parts shielded by a strategically placed chair. From then on, he gets naked in the most inappropriate places, including (to mom’s consternation) the grocery store and even at school. The streak continues until he decides on a new obsession, the era of “fancy”, in which he dons his sister’s tutu and underwear (worn upside down as a crop top), a scarf, Dad’s fuzzy socks, a lacy guest towel, and Mom’s dress shoes. His family heaves a sigh of relief now that at least some clothes are OK, but then the tale becomes a circle story as our protagonist gleefully sheds his new outfit and bolts outside in his birthday suit. The absence of clothing is a constant source of amusement for this age group and Jaime Kim’s illustrations, rendered digitally to mimic watercolor and featuring a bright, cheerful color palette, are large, simple, kinetic, and ingenious. Kim Howard plays with the concept of a “streaker” and adult readers will find the fleeting glimpses of fast-moving toddler body parts entertaining. End papers feature just the bottom half whizzing by (in two opposite directions), conveying the challenge of capturing and wrangling a recalcitrant runaway. The text is also pretty funny, especially when coupled with the humorous illustrations. “The Naked Streak went on. And on. There was no end in sight. (Well…there was one end in sight, but we shouldn’t talk about that)”, which accompanies three horizontal, double page vignettes: a streaking, gleeful face, followed by pumping lower limbs, and finally, a cute, barely there, bare bottom. Readers will delight in Jamie Kim’s inventive and endless safeguards that keep all the little boy’s naughty bits hidden. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Without a doubt this picture book with its pulsing artwork, rendered digitally with watercolor, will be a hit with the younger set as well as adults who may recognize one of their own offspring in its buck naked young protagonist. Preferring a life unfettered by restrictive garments, this child is one who is completely disinterested in wearing clothing, whether at home or in public. Eventually, some other clothing options show some appeal, and the images of those will prompt much laughter as will the cleverly written text with a pun or two. There will be more than one reader who will identify with this child. After all, who really needs clothing when a refreshing cool breeze can waft directly on one's body?

[Tanya Konerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As only a child can, “it is decided” that clothes simply are not necessary or wanted any longer in Kim Howard’s hilarious and spot-on newest picture book. Feeling free is the best, but in the grocery store or at school? Perhaps not. Yet that’s exactly what makes this rollicking story so fun, along with illustrator Jaime Kim’s bright and carefully placed depictions of a child who’s on a streaking streak until “it is decided” that a new look might work…or maybe not. After all, being naked really is the original, most comfortable style!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Naked Streak is more than just a funny story about a kid who won't get dressed; it’s a wonderful tribute to a child’s developing sense of self. The way the protagonist moves from 'boring old clothes' to a self-curated, ultra-wacky ensemble—complete with a dog-collar necklace—is a great reminder of how much creativity goes into a child's choices. It’s a laugh-out-loud addition to any home library and a great conversation starter about individuality and making your own 'style'.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kid decides he doesn't want to wear clothes anymore and goes on a streak of being naked. The colorful, bright pictures are so charming and they do an excellent job coming up with ways to hide the kids body. I love that the kid also tries on other fancy clothes from his sister and mom/dad. I think some families with kids who don't like clothes will relate to this silly book.

[Molly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable and “giggly” book that i enjoyed as an adult who was lucky enough to get a pre-read. Such a cute theme is made into a wonderful story through its detail, creativity and the care taken in telling the story.

[Lisa Leshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you'd like your child's bedtime ritual to come to life with words and pictures that will charm the pants off of them (no pun intended) add The Naked Streak to their routine. It will delight both them and their special readers. Destined to become a classic.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschooler decides to abandon wearing clothes in favor of a "less restrictive" experience. Young children will love it and demand it be read over and over. Parents will think it's cute the first dozen times they read it, and then it will mysteriously disappear from the reading rotation...

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those kids that often abandon clothes, The Naked Streak by Kim Howard might have a strong appeal. First, we watch as the young child slowly disrobes. Then we wait until in an interest in being fancy causes him to seek out new clothes.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book about a kid who refuses to wear clothes.