Roth, Jonathan. Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars. Jonathan Roth, Illus. Christy Ottaviano, 08/2024. [40]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-316-52554-1. GRADES Kindergarten–4. OUTSTANDING.
Once upon a time, at the turn of the twentieth century, a plain roll of muslin waited to be turned into underwear. But fate, and some groundbreaking individuals, had something far more exciting in store. A mix of historic photos and cartoon figures form a well-designed backdrop for an anthropomorphized bit of cloth. Two dot eyes and three expressive lines animate a photographic patch of the actual fabric present at not one, not two, but three world-historical first flights. Child-friendly text builds excitement and provides copious specifics, allowing readers to understand the context, and some of the science, behind each flight. The Wright Brothers and 1969 astronauts are white; contemporary NASA employees show a mix of ethnicities. Back matter includes a glossary, selected bibliography, and an author’s note full of additional details.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired