What’s with the books about vegetables in underwear? As a pro-underpants vegetarian, I feel compelled to comment on this mushrooming trend. Okay, maybe it’s less a trend and more...well...three books on the topic, a veritable cornucopia of corn cobs in tightie-whities.

Last spring’s Veggies with Wedgies by Todd H. Doodler (Little Simon, May 2014) started it all, and the board book follow-up, Veggies with Wedgies Present: Doin’ the Wedgie is due out in January. Coming in April is (the more politely titled but no less ridiculous) Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman (Abrams Appleseed).

     What message are we to take away from this crop? Will veggie-phobic kids be more inclined to pull up their elastic waistbands and start eating peas? Will recalcitrant potty-trainers want to dress like their favorite side dish? And what’s next? Pasta in panties? Bananas in boxers? Doughnuts in drawers?