Families who loved How Underwear Got There by Kathy Shaskan often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts showing self-consciousness about their body or when history lessons at school feel a bit too dry and distant. It is an ideal bridge for the transition from childhood playfulness to middle-school modesty, using the universal and slightly 'taboo' topic of underwear to make history feel human, tactile, and relatable. Through a mix of humor and historical fact, the book explores how social status, gender roles, and even personal hygiene have evolved. By looking at what people wore beneath their clothes, children gain a unique perspective on the lived experiences of people across different eras. It normalizes the changing body and the various ways humans have cared for themselves throughout time, all while maintaining a lighthearted and informative tone that lowers the stakes of growing up.