A Brief History of Underpants

by Christine Van Zandt, Harry Briggs (Illustrator)

Overview

From bloomers to boxers, everyone wears underwear! One part humor, one part history, A Brief History of Underpants explores the evolution of fashion’s 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 humor, 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780760370605
Publisher:	Epic Ink
Publication date:	06/01/2021
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Christine Van Zandt is an author, editor, and book reviewer who lives in California with her family.

Editorial Reviews

"I laughed my butt off! Not only is this book funny, but Christine Van Zandt delivers a veritable wedgie-whirlwind of utterly fascinating underwear info!"—Aaron Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Creepy Pair of Underwear

"...exposes kids to different cultures and customs by observing the evolution of fashion’s most unmentionable garment...part history and part humor, giving a new way to learn about innovations around the globe."—L.A. Parent

"Humorous illustrations and bouncy text keep the pages turning quickly in this lightweight history,"—School Library Journal

"Leaving no double entendre unturned, Van Zandt chronicles tushie-wear from the 'beginning of buns' onward."—Booklist

From the Publisher

05/01/2021

Gr 2–5—While just the idea of underwear will produce giggles in some story time crowds, this book is playing for laughs while conveying historical facts. The silly tone is established immediately with questions such as "Who started the HOLE thing?" and "What's BEHIND today's styles?" The first chapter covers general topics about why people wear underpants and some early examples. Next, an "Underpants Around the World" section explores many unique styles and fabrics. Small map graphics with locations starred and dates help convey the time period and worldwide customs. Societal norms influenced who wore certain undergarments, such as the mawashi from Japan and the Central and South American maxtlatl. The majority of the cartoon illustrations depict men, and when women are included it is not always in a positive manner. The Europe 1000–1500 section contains stereotypical language, describing the undergarments worn by "women, including damsels in distress," and saying how women did not need the same type of clothing as knights because "a woman's biggest battle was fought once or twice a year on wash day." Evidenced by the popularity of titles such as Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown, there is an audience for the topic. No specific sources are listed, but there are suggestions for further reading. VERDICT Humorous illustrations and bouncy text keep the pages turning quickly in this lightweight history, but selectors should be aware of the abovementioned stereotypical language.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's Sch., Richmond, VA

School Library Journal