Hot Chocolate Underpants(tm) to the Rescue

Caspian tries to catch a frisbee. He misses. The frisbee gets stuck in a tree. Caspian isn't good at climbing trees. He doesn't have to be. He puts on his Hot Chocolate Underpants. He pours cocoa on himself. He grabs the mop for steering. When he arrives at the tree, Grandpa is still there, smiling. The frisbee isn't the only thing stuck in the tree. Caspian sees a kitten and decides to rescue it. Easier said than done. Follow Caspian on his latest adventure.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Hot Chocolate Underpants to the Rescue is the second children's book in the Hot Chocolate Underpants series, written by Rafael Jacimin and illustrated by Van der Saim. When Caspian plays Frisbee in the back yard with his grandfather, the Frisbee becomes entangled within the branches of a large tree. Caspian won't climb trees, but with his Hot Chocolate Underpants, gifted to him by his grandfather on his un-birthday, Caspian is able to ride a broom into the high branches. When he also discovers a cat in the tree, Caspian decides instead to rescue it from such heights. The cat winds up in many precarious predicaments, resulting in their return to the branches of the tree. Caspian decides to try something different, and discovers that the cat wants the Frisbee for its own special reason.

Written in perfect synchronicity with the original tale, Hot Chocolate Underpants to the Rescue is a must-read for young readers. Rafael Jacimin's story of un-birthdays (days in which gifts are given simply for the sake of giving) and magical underpants (which give the wearer the ability to fly) is filled with adventure and imagination. Showing a grandfather and grandchild playing together, and not a single computer game in sight, is wonderfully refreshing, as is the addition of an animal rescue. With cats being renowned for their enjoyment of mischief, sometimes at their own expense, the inclusion of the young cat, easily distracted by its surroundings, gives Caspian more than he bargained for when he went on kitty-protection duty, right up until the story's thrilling conclusion. I enjoyed reading Hot Chocolate Underpants to the Rescue and recommend it to all young readers who love fun, adventure, animals and excitement, all of which push through the boundaries of one's imagination.