Book Synopsis Richards day gets off to a bad start when he has to wear too-big purple corduroy pants to school. Although its Richards turn to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and to hand out the mealworms that Mrs. Zookeys class is going to study, those purple pants keep getting in his way. Richard tells his classmates that the pants are a gift from his aunt and uncle, who are space aliens from the purple planet Pluto. After he names one of his mealworms Uncle Ken, the real Uncle Ken shows up in Mrs. Zookeys classroom-knock-knock jokes, too-loud laugh, and all. Richard has some explaining to do, but a plan for Silly Clothes Day and a surprising rapport with his uncle make it a good day after all. Review Quotes Second grader Richard is embarrassed to wear the oversized purple corduroy pants his aunt and uncle have just given him, but after he tries them on, he is late for the school bus and hurries out the door. Its his day to be the teachers helper, and as he performs the tasks she assigns him, such as portioning out mealworms into petri dishes for a science lesson, he is preoccupied with keeping his pants up....Gilson captures the thoughts and fears of second graders through authentic dialogue and solid characterization. Information about mealworms is skillfully woven into the text. The story unfolds smoothly and is enhanced by several full-page black-and-white sketches. A sound choice for beginning chapter-book readers. When Richard has to go to school wearing the oversized bright purple pants his eccentric Aunt Nannie made for him, he is mortified, and has to hold on to them so they wont fall down....The wonderful message, that being different can be fun, is brought home, but never obviously or didactically. All of the characters are likable, especially Richard, who is appropriately worried without being whiny. De Groats warm black-and-white drawings perfectly match the lighthearted mood of the text.