Ode to Underwear by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Abigail Burch, turns a taboo classroom topic into a laugh-out-loud read aloud for Pre-K through Grade 2. The rhyming picture book leans into the giggles kids already have about underwear while quietly reinforcing an idea worth repeating: this is one item of clothing that belongs to them and them alone. Teachers and librarians looking for a high-energy read aloud with built-in phonics practice, discussion questions, and extension activities will find plenty to work with here, whether the goal is a storytime showstopper or a low-key entry point into conversations about body autonomy and personal space. For older students ready for a science tie-in, our Ig Nobel underpants experiment story makes a fun companion piece on how scientists sometimes use the silliest premises to answer serious questions.
