A Brief History of Underpants by Christine van Zandt illustrated by Harry Briggs

Yes - this a book about underwear. It will amaze you. It might shock you. It most certainly will give you a laugh. There are four chapters - Crusty old buns; Underpants around the world; Cheeky inventions; and Tushes today worldwide. See what I mean - even the chapter headings are funny and a little bit naughty.

Can you see the little wheel on the side of this cover. Readers are invited to spin the wheel to see different types of, gasp, underwear!

Sure there are tons of facts in this book but at its heart this is just a book to enjoy for fun. 

What is it about underpants that cracks us up?

How long has underwear been under there?

What's behind today's styles?

Who started the hole thing?

Publisher Blurb: A Brief History of Underpants explores the history of underwear with zany facts and illustrations. The cover features an interactive reveal wheel that turns to show underwear through the ages.  From bloomers to boxers, everyone wears underwear! One part humor, one part history, A Brief History of Underpants explores the evolution of fashions most unmentionable garment. Gain a whole new understanding of underthings as you:

• Learn which ruler was buried with over 100 pairs of underwear.

• Discover how people kept their underclothes from falling off before elastic was invented.

• Find out why some underwear was made from feathers.

• And much, much more!

Zany illustrations add to the humour, and step-by-step instructions teach real dyeing and washing techniques used hundreds of years ago. Interact with the topic directly by turning the reveal wheel on the front cover to see underwear evolve through the ages.

Full of puns and cheeky asides, Christine Van Zandt’s A Brief History of Underpants uncovers fascinating facts about these garments we take for granted while also revealing tidbits of historical, cultural, and societal traditions from earliest times to the present. Van Zandt’s breezy writing, punctuated by lots of “ewww”-inspiring descriptions, will keep kids laughing and learning and even the most reluctant reader riveted to the pages. Celebrate Picture Books

Here is a chapter by chapter set of discussion questions to use with this book. 

I do have a Pinterest collection of other books related to another aspect of this topic - "Fun stuff that comes from our bodies". Take a look at this post by my friend from Kinderbookswitheverything where she talks about, of all the most crazy things, National Underwear Day. 

Here are a few more books about Underwear:

Polar Bear's Underwear