The Day We Danced in Underpants
Sarah Wilson’s The Day We Danced in Underpants is an incredibly charming, uproarious picture book. On the very first page, the protagonist, a young girl, and her family are all invited to have a picnic with the king of France—as well as his cows, cat, and plants. From that silly rhyme on (and its silly picture of a crown-wearing cat and cow drinking tea), you know you’re in for a real treat.
Each page’s rhyme is simply a joy to read—even though many are tongue twisters. The girl, her father (in his very smart trousers), and her three aunts embark to the King’s castle, where he, along with the queen and dozens of courtiers, are having a large, fancy picnic in the hot sun outside. All of the overdressed attendants are feeling miserable in the heat, but still maintaining their composure until the girl’s father’s underpants tear and fall as he tries to sit at the table.
This ensues a riotous occasion, where everyone laughs and the royal couple declare that everyone must strip down to their underpants! Needless to say, children will giggle and wiggle when they see the outrageous pictures of the nobility in their underwire dresses, long underpants, Bermuda shorts, and other pieces of underwear. Since it’s a tale of nobility, of course, all of the illustrations are appropriate, since the underclothes still keep the partygoers fully clothed.
Catherine Stock’s illustrations are gaily scrawled and somewhat messy yet still lovely and joyful; I would compare them to those found in SARK books, only further flushed out. The vivacious movement, bright colors and funky patterns used are all utterly delightful and make for great question and answer sessions while reading the story.
Not only is the story so much fun to read, it’s also a great lesson about making the most out of a bad situation. Yes, the sun is very hot—and yes, the man is very embarrassed when he drops his drawers—but at the end of the day, everyone has fun by making the best out of the situation and dancing in their underpants.
This is a fantastic story for any child, and a good addition to any picture books about France or nobility. You could create some wonderful projects and activities with the book as well, such as studying French culture, designing your own royal gown or suit, dressing your hair like the French, or, of course, having a picnic in your underpants!
