Let’s talk about underwear.

Giggle, giggle.

I don’t know about you, but just saying the word, “Panties!” sends Lucie into a fit of laughter, which is probably why The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen is so popular with children everywhere. Oh my gosh, the king parading around in his underwear!  Tee hee, smirk, smirk!

Some versions to check out are:

• The Emperor’s New Clothes adapted and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton who also wrote The Little House, one of my favorite children’s books of all time.
• The Emperor’s New Clothes adapted by Marcus Sedgwick and illustrated by Alison Jay. This time the emperor is a lion and the tailors are weasels, of course. The story is told in rhyming prose and beautifully illustrated.
• The Emperor’s New Clothes : An All-Star Retelling of the Classic Fairy Tale How about an audio version to go along with an illustrated book? The CD features 23 celebrities including Jay Leno (the Moth), Madonna (the Empress), Fran Drescher (the Heralding Horn), Jeff Goldblum (the Imperial Wizard), Robin Williams (the Court Jester), and Calvin Klein (the Emperor’s Underwear). The Honest Boy is played by Steven Spielberg, the creative director of this project to benefit the Starbright Foundation for seriously ill children. The book features artwork of 23 preeminent children’s book illustrators including Maurice Sendak, Mark Teague, Chris Van Allsburg, Tomie dePaola, and William Joyce.

More underwear books:

There’s Usborne’s The Revealing Story of Underwear, which makes me very glad not to be living in the time of woolen stockings (itchy!) and whale bone corsets (ouch!). For ages seven and up, you’ll learn how underwear has shaped clothes for centuries.

And of course there is the Captain Underpants series. Who knew a super hero dressed in a cape and tighty whities would be so popular? (Scholastic Books did of course.)

Now on to the Hanes underwear review!

The Parent Bloggers Network sent me a box of Hanes Kids underwear and socks to review. Well, you think Santa arrived because the kids were very excited. Or maybe they were tired of wearing gray socks and underpants with holes in them? Probably.

(By the way, if your kids are tired of their old, worn out undies, check out the Parent Bloggers Network blog blast on August 22 where you can win some Hanes-wear for your own kids.)

Nathan’s reaction

Nathan got a package of boys woven boxers, some No Ride Up briefs, and boys crew socks. Now Nathan, like his dad, is a boxer brief man, so he wasn’t sure about the boxers or the tighty whities. I explained he could sleep in his boxers (though he has since worn them under clothes) and that the briefs are just another type of underwear for boys.

However, I made the mistake of asking him how he liked his new underwear in front of his grandmother. I didn’t think it was a big deal since he’s always changing in front of her when she visits. But he was terribly embarrassed and mad that I asked. He finally did admit that he liked the underwear and would love to get more of the socks.

Lucie’s reaction

Lucie changes clothes three to four times a day, which is why I can’t wait for school to start. (Hooray for school uniforms!) Boy was she trilled about her new Hanes Kids No Ride-Up Panties and socks. She received briefs, bikinis and girls’ ankle socks.

Did you know that Hanes underwear comes with the Hanes® Comfort Fit Promise. If they’re not comfortable, you can get your money back! Not a problem here, since the underwear fits well and doesn’t ride up as advertised. Also, they haven’t immediately fallen apart in the wash like her old underpants, and don’t have itchy tags to cut off. The socks are comfortable and look cute with her sneakers, too.

Unlike her brother, Lucie enjoys talking about her underwear (two thumbs up – they’re pretty and comfortable), and has been busy trying to show them off to her grandmother, me, her brother, and her dad since she has a bad habit running around the house in just her underpants. Either she’s changing her clothes or wearing none at all. Sigh.

Hanes.com is currently running a 20% off sale of Hanes Kids’ underwear when you sign in or start an account – perfect for back to school shopping!

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