Underwear! [Paperback]

Mary Elise Monsell (Author), Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998 | Grade Level: P and up

Bismark the Buffalo is grumpy and unlovable until his friends teach him how to laugh and show him that wearing colorful underwear can be great fun.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An idea with built-in kid-appeal: tell a story about underwear and bring in an artist to add lots of funny touches to each pair of boxer shorts. But one section of the story is a rather contrived morsel about friends who make a grumpy buffalo laugh by making him say aloud the word "underwear." Much more fun is the part when grassland animals Orfo the Orangutan and Zachary the Zebra attend the "World's Greatest Grassland Underwear Fair" and stock up on their favorite styles. And best of all are Munsinger's pictures of them wearing all those bright and witty styles at once. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Nothing is as sure to elicit giggles in the primary grades as the mention of underwear, and this book relies heavily on that premise. The sto ry is slight. Zachary Zebra and his best friend, Orfo the Orangutan, love un derwear, and each year the two friends visit the World's Greatest Grassland Underwear Fair. Their fun is damp ened only by grumpy Bismark the Buf falo, who is such a grouch that even the parasitic bugs on his body desert him. He is not amused by underwear until he is challenged to repeat the word ten times without laughing. Of course, after a few repetitions, he be gins to chortle and children, like Bis mark, will be overcome with laughter by the final shout of ``underwear.'' What could have been an unbelievable moralistic tale (could one's whole disposition really change with a few repetitions of a silly word?) is saved by Munsinger's delightful illustrations. Her animals are full of frolicsome fun, and the variety of underwear is appropriately zany. Children will be unable to resist Zachary and Orfo as they cavort in the trees with underwear donned as hats and numerous pairs trailing from their limbs. Sheer frivolous fun. Lori A. Janick, Parkwood Elementary School, Pasadena, Tex.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080758309X
• ISBN-13: 978-0807583098
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 8.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Humor > General
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > Cats, Dogs & Animals

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Children's Book!, November 29, 1999

By 

Dwain Preston (Quincy, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Underwear! (Library Binding)

This is a great read-aloud book for kids of all ages! I teach high school, and tell stories as an avocation (yes, I know the two are not mutually exclusive!). When I get to the part where Bismark tries not laugh, I go into hysterics. Little kids love it, high school kids ask to have it read again, and adults have been known to snicker a time or two. It's a good read, and an audience-pleaser. Some food for thought, too. My favorite line is Zachary's: "It is a tragedy to be clever but not happy." Spinoza couldn't have said it better. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Monsell at a reading conference once. She has made the world a happier place by creating this wonderful story.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for kids, January 11, 2005

By 

K. Cuthbertson "Outnumbered (4 boys!)" (Indian Trail, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Underwear! (Paperback)

My son received this as a gift...I probably wouldn't have chosen it off the shelf. But he has loved this book and laughed over it many times. (It works better when my husband reads it to him -- he's better at the silly noises than I am!)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely one of the best books for kids and parents., April 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Underwear! (Library Binding)

This book was and is one of our favorite books. As Bismark the buffalo discovers the joy of Underwear, you discover the joy in your child. My daughter and I spent many hours laughing uproariously over this book. Just try not to laugh.