Monster's New Undies by Samantha Berger (review)

Kids—even monster kids—grow. It's just a fact of life. Monster has outgrown his underwear, and Mom insists it's time to go shopping for replacements. When Monster's tighty whities disintegrate with one final snap, leaving him abashed and, frankly, a little chilly, he reluctantly acquiesces. The Undie World store is his worst nightmare come true, with hangers full of impossible options, none of them appealing: "PUT DOWN THOSE UNDIES./ THOSE. AREN'T. THE. ONES./ That pair isn't worthy/ of dressing these buns!" Deep within the mountain of rejects, though, gleams the perfect choice—new ones that are exactly like the old ones: "They look just like mine/ but fit like a glove./ The moment I saw them,/ my tush fell in love." Carpenter's chunky retro illustrations join Berger's bouncy verses in a product reminiscent of Dr. Seuss (if Mr. Geisel, in a playfully subversive mood, had some hot monster chartreuse in his paint kit). Underwear is always a hoot, but underwear shopping not so much; this romp will make a virtue of necessity.