This Week’s Story
October 5th- 9th
Some books earn a spot on the shelf. Others earn the giggle-filled, "Read it again!" request every single night. Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds with illustrations by Peter Brown has one foot in each group… it’s a high quality piece of children’s lit that’s relatable to kids, but it’s also extremely funny. It’s about underwear…what’s not funny about underwear!
After 28 years in the classroom and a doctorate in reading and digital literacy, I've read a lot of picture books aloud. This one is a favorite because it does so much at once: it makes kids laugh, stretches their vocabulary, and gently helps them talk about something real — being scared. That's exactly what a great pre-reading story should do.
The story
Jasper Rabbit is ready for big-rabbit underwear, and he picks out a pair that's delightfully creepy. There's just one problem: when the lights go out, they glow a ghostly green. Jasper isn't scared, of course. He's just… cautious. So he tries everything he can think of to get rid of them, and every time, the underwear comes back.
Without spoiling the ending, the solution Jasper finds is clever, funny, and quietly reassuring. It shows kids that the thing that frightened them can turn into something comforting.
Powerful vocabulary
Picture books are one of the richest sources of new words available for children. The language used within picture books is far richer and more varied than everyday conversation. Aaron Reynolds doesn't water it down. Even the title hands you a great word to talk about: creepy.
Words like these give preschoolers new ways to describe feelings and the world around them. When children hear a word in a story, see it in a picture, and then use it in conversation, it sticks. Here are a few words worth pausing on as you read:
Creepy — a little bit scary in a shivery way. Ask, "What else is creepy?"
Glow — to give off a soft light. Hunt for things that glow in your house at night.
Cautious — being careful because you're not sure something is safe. Talk about times your child feels cautious.
Brave — doing something even when you feel scared. This one leads beautifully into the book's big idea.
A strong vocabulary is one of the best predictors of the ease at which your child will eventually learn how to read and later on it will increase their reading comprehension. A silly story about underwear is a surprisingly powerful place to build it.
Themes that matter: facing fears and persistence
Fear of the dark is one of the most common worries of the preschool years. Creepy Pair of Underwear! meets that worry with humor instead of a lecture, and that's what makes it work. Children can laugh at Jasper's fear while quietly recognizing their own.
Overcoming fears. Jasper insists he isn't scared, which is exactly how many little ones talk about their fears. The story gives children permission to admit something feels scary, then shows that fear can shrink once you look at it differently. By the end, the very thing that frightened Jasper becomes a source of comfort.
Persistence. Jasper doesn't give up. He tries one plan, then another, then another. Preschoolers see a character who keeps working on a problem until he finds a solution that fits. That same stick-with-it attitude is exactly what children will need when they begin sounding out words and learning to read.
These themes open the door to real conversations. You might ask, "What do you feel cautious about at bedtime?" or "What helps you feel brave?" Those talks build oral language and emotional vocabulary at the same time.
How the illustrations tell the story
Peter Brown's art does real storytelling work. The pages are drawn almost entirely in shades of gray and black, like an old black-and-white monster movie. The only bright color is the eerie green of the underwear. Your child's eye goes straight to it on every page, so they always know where the "creepy" thing is hiding.
That contrast is a gift for pre-readers. Children who can't yet read the words can still follow the plot by "reading" the pictures. Jasper's wide eyes, his shadows, and the green glow tell them how he feels and what's about to happen.
This is called reading the illustrations, and it's an important early literacy skill. When children use pictures to predict, retell, and explain a story, they're practicing the same comprehension skills they'll use with print later on. Try pausing on a page and asking, "How do you think Jasper feels right now? How can you tell?"
A dream team: Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown
This isn't the first time this pair has made kids shiver and giggle. Their partnership began with Creepy Carrots!, which earned a Caldecott Honor for its illustrations. Creepy Pair of Underwear! followed, and the trio grew with Creepy Crayon! Together, the books make up a "creepy tales" series that is perfect for reading side by side.
What makes their work so strong is the balance. Reynolds writes with rhythm, humor, and a great sense of timing, so the books are a joy to read aloud. Brown, who also created The Wild Robot and Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, builds suspense with color, shadow, and expression. Each book is a little spooky but never truly frightening.
If your child loves one, read all three. Comparing the books is a wonderful early literacy activity. Ask, "How is Jasper's problem the same in each story? How is it different?" Children practice comparing, predicting, and retelling without even realizing they're learning.
Ready to raise a reader?
You don't need a teaching degree to build a strong reader. You just need the right books, a few simple strategies, and a little time on the couch together. That's exactly what Read it Again is here to give you.
At readitagain.com, you'll find:
Beyond the Book activity guides — printable guides for favorite picture books, packed with vocabulary words, hands-on activities, and conversation questions. Each one is $5.99 and ready to use tonight.
The Raising a Reader Preschool Bundle — seven bite-sized micro-courses for parents of children ages 2–5. Learn how to build phonemic awareness, read aloud like a pro, turn everyday talk into literacy practice, teach print concepts, and grow a lifelong love of books. Take one course at a time, or get the full bundle and save.
The Read it Again YouTube channel — watch Read • Do • Ask episodes that model these strategies in action.
The preschool years go fast, and every story you share counts. Grab a copy of Creepy Pair of Underwear!, turn down the lights, and visit readitagain.com to find your next favorite read.
