Always Wear Clean Underwear!: And Other Ways Parents Say "I Love You"

by Marc Gellman, Debbie Tilley (Illustrator)

Offers young readers insight into what parents think through an examination of the common phrases, warnings, and teachings that are given by parents to their children on a regular basis.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

112 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Marc Gellman writes a solo column at Newsweek.com, and along with his close friend Thomas Hartman, he co-hosts the cable television program "The God Squad." The rabbi-and-priest duo have made frequent appearances on Good Morning America, Donlmus, and other major media programs. In addition to being the authors of Religion for Dummies, they have written five children's books, including How Do You Spell God?, which was made into an animated, Peabody-award winning HBO special. Gellman is the senior rabbi at Temple Beth Torah in Melville, NY.

Reviews

[Thao Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A down-to-earth explanation of little and big lessons that both kids and adults can relate to and learn from. I enjoy the way Gellman put forth the big lessons without making it loud or serious, but instead very gentle, loving and sane.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even adults can learn from this book!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this Rabbi’s explanation of why parents say silly things to their children! I want to re-read it regularly and hopefully I can read it to my foster children. I recommend this book to anyone really; but, the most opportune time to read it with a child is probably 4th/5th grade. (Kids can read it on their own.)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/200...

[Amanda Wolfley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun read that although written to kids, helped me really appreciate my parents as an adult and prepare to become one as well.

[Aroberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! So many great lessons for children...and adults!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gellman tells kids why the 32 rules exist and how they all show that parents love their kids.

[Celeste Tefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family favorite with good morals that also made us laugh!

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute explanation of all the silly saying we hear growing up. Would be great for a middle schooler.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession: I was supposed to read this book years ago for a book club and did not. I finally did and I enjoyed it! Rabbi Marc Gellman wrote this book for kids. The subtitle is "And other ways parents say 'I love you.'" Gellman explains eloquently, succinctly and humorously why the things parents tell kids repeatedly (like eat your vegetables, tie your shoes, money doesn't grow on trees) are so important. These sayings and instructions are for kids' immediate benefit (vegetables are good for you, don't trip, and you can't spend money on just anything). Gellman calls these explanations the little meanings. But, there are also big meanings lurking (what you want is not what you always need, you should finish what you start, and think about the real cost of things and not just the price). The big meanings help kids become better people. Parents love their kids and want what's best for them. "Nagging" actually conveys that whether kids realize it or not! I am going to read a chapter (only 2-3 pages) a day to my kids so I can be vindicated (!) but also as a funny review of some of the things I tell them. Hopefully, they'll find Rabbi Gellman as funny as I did.

[Ashley Kerns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book that is basically informing children about what their parents expect out of them. What parents always say to children and children hate it and don’t understand. They say, Do this or don’t do this. Children get so irritated and don’t ever understand but it is a book that shows that parents do this for a reason. It shows that parents love you and just want the best for you. Many children probably wouldn’t like this book, but I think the humor within the book will help children stay engaged. This book would be a good read aloud to fourth graders. They are a good age where they would understand everything in the book. The teacher could read this every day to the students before they go home to remind them that people ask you to do things for a reason and it is there job to listen and do what they say. Each chapter is a new “rule” or “do” or “don’t”. Each day I would read a chapter before students were to go home. I really like this book and I plan on using it in my classroom.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always Wear Clean Underwear!: And Other Ways Parents say I love you” is a really cute book that dedicates its entire purpose to informing children on why parents expect so much from them, and what it means when they give such unruly demands. This book shines a light on that parent-child relationship which can often be a tough dynamic to master especially as both the parent and the child grow older. Despite its simplistic nature, this book says so much about the relationship and what makes it a positive experience for both the child and the parent, when they work together. I think this would be a great book to have in the house and to read with the child. I personally enjoyed the humor and the engaging style of writing and language. I think this book is a great representation of the unique way that parents show their love, which is always important for children to learn and understand.

Gellman, M., & Tilley, D. (1997). Always wear clean underwear!: And other ways parents say "I love you" New York: Morrow Junior Books.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I wish I knew about it earlier. I would have bought it tons of times over. An easy-to-read why-do-parents-do-this type of book. I'm SO thankful to the couple that passed it on to me and look forward to doing the same.

The author breaks down sayings that parents say all the time into the little reason and the big reason. It is one of those that is a great graduation, First Communion, just because type of book.

[Lady_nj]

It would have been much better if it was about half the length. Interestingly, in the first perhaps 3/4 he talked about "bigger" messages and what was "good" and then in the last 1/4, when he discussed the virtues, he talked about God as well. Not a surprise if you know the author or his other books, but may be if this is the first one picked up.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book for parents to read along with their kids that explains all those old standby parenting maxisms our parents used, and that in turn we use as well. It is written in a conversational, easy to understand manner, and has both Christian undertones and overt references. Worth reading.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book-- a really great book. it made such a lasting impression on me when I read it as a kid. Reframes the way I thought about the things my parents say time and time again and reveals the inspirational life messages behind them. I just found this in my childhood closet and I think I might revisit it! I highly recommend this read!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Some of the reasons why we're told to do things I didn't even really think about, but they're so true! I think it's a must read for everyone! You learn to appreciate your parents' efforts a little more and understand that they really did say it all out of love.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and funny book that explains different "parent-isms" and the real meaning behind them. After reading this aloud to my fifth grade class, I used it as a jump start for a writing assignment, "Just Chill: and other ways kids say 'I love you.'"

[Jeremy Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for any child to read. It is well written and fun to read. Explains the importance of the normal rules that us parent seem to have a list of, such as "Don't talk with food in your month." and "Always wear clean underwear."

[gurpreet kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather good one for all parents to read to their children. I really liked the direct conversational style and the humour with which the book has been written. A small book with cute, meaningful and valuable messages.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

For when you need to smile!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

"And other ways parents say 'I love You'"

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to the "Everything I Learned, I Learned in Kindergarten." Each chapter has a piece of life advice that is a metaphor for a bigger lesson. I read it aloud to fifth graders several years ago.

[Markelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not done with this book yet, but I absolutely 100% LOVE this book. It is so great to me!! I want all of my kids to read it as w

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is full of so many beautiful simple little truths. Amazing!

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little book - the meaning behind all those things your parents told you and I've told my own kids.

[Rene Daihl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!

[Janis Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read when I taught middle school. Reading to my girls at bedtime. Good stuff.

[Elliot Raff · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books. Read laugh learn repeat.

[Divine Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended! I could read this nth times and still love it!