Return of the Underwear Dragon

Underwear Dragon #2

by Scott Rothman, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

In this hilarious sequel to the popular picture book Attack of the Underwear Dragon , a brave young knight teaches his former sworn enemy, a dragon, to read. With playful illustrations from the #1 New York Times bestselling artist of The Bad Seed !

Once Sir Cole has saved the kingdom from the destructive wrath of the Underwear Dragon, he has the startling realization that the Underwear Dragon wasn't attacking because he was disobeying the signs that said not to. The Underwear Dragon just couldn't read the signs!

Once again, Sir Cole sets out on a valiant quest. This time it isn't to conquer the Underwear Dragon--it's to help him learn how to read. But it's hard to teach a fire-breathing creature to read an actual book because he sets them all on fire. And when the Underwear Dragon finally succeeds, Sir Cole presents his star pupil with the perfect gift--gigantic alphabet underwear!

Genres: Picture Books, Dragons, Childrens, Humor, Fantasy, Juvenile, Fiction

40 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

SCOTT ROTHMAN is a writer of picture books, screenplays, theater, and humor pieces. Scott’s debut picture book ATTACK OF THE UNDERWEAR DRAGON (Random House) and its sequel RETURN OF THE UNDERWEAR DRAGON were both National Indie bestsellers and are being developed into a musical kids TV series by Mercury Filmworks with best-selling illustrator Pete Oswald and Tony-award winning composer Bill Sherman.

His most recent book KITTYBUNKPORT was featured on the TODAY SHOW and was selected by Jenna Bush Hager for her Summer Reading List. Scott’s book WARM AND FUZZY (Tundra, illustrated by Brian Won) received a starred review from Booklist who called it a “fun and helpful read about overcoming anxieties.”

Scott’s other kid’s books include the Virginia Readers’ Choice finalist BLUE BISON NEEDS A HAIRCUT and BUBBLE GUM BISON NEEDS A BATH (Random House, both illustrated by Pete Oswald), PARFAIT, NOT PARFAIT (Roaring Brook Press, illustrated by Avery Monsen), MAKO & TIGER: A SHARK’S TALE (Random House, illustrated by Mika Song) and BASKETBALL TOWN (Candlewick Press, illustrated by Darnell Johnson). He has six more books coming out in 2026.

A screenplay Scott co-wrote with playwright Rajiv Joseph, DRAFT DAY, topped the 2012 Black List before being made into a feature film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner. In addition, Scott co-wrote the script for the comedy ARMY OF ONE starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Larry Charles.

Scott also wrote the book for the one-person musical TODD VS. THE TITANIC (music and lyrics by Murder for Two’s Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair) which was produced by the Adirondack Theatre Festival and the Hangar Theatre.

Scott’s humor writing has appeared in The New Yorker, GQ and McSweeney’s. He received an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU.

Reviews

[Théo d'Or]

Once they all believed in dragons,

When the world was fresh and young,

We were woven into legends,

Tales were told and songs were sung,

We were treated with obeisance,

We were honored, we were feared,

Then one day they stopped
believing...


On that day, we disappeared.

Now they say we've lived our last,

Now we're treated with derision

Where once we ruled unsurpassed.

We must make them all remember,

In some way we must reveal

That our spirit lives forever,

We are dragons ! We are real !

[yaz ☽]

Nobody is talking about how Sir Cole taught this dragon how to read just so he could show the dragon his new signs that said "No Dragons in the Kingdom"!! What a little punk.

[Rachel Holtzclaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes i read the sequel. yes it was also very cute and funny!

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action-packed tale about . . . learning to read?! Don't worry—the author and illustrator keep things fun. There's also a bird poop joke AND a dog poop joke, just for variety.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as book 1 but still cute and worth the read!

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 - 7 years

[Y.Poston]

very cute exploration of learning to read

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Cole and the Underwear Dragon return in this sequel. As Sir Cole searches for an assistant Knight, he discovers that the Underwear Dragon may be causing trouble because he doesn't know how to read. Sir Cole sets out on a mission to teach the Underwear Dragon how to read. He enlists the aid of Claire who can keep the Underwear Dragon's fire breathing under control during the literacy lessons. They save the kingdom and everyone lives happily ever after. A good book on the need to read.

[Juli]

this. this is my capacity today.
'Interviewing all of them was going to take Sir Cole Forever. So he went for a walk instead."

[Gift · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second part was as sweet, funny, and delighting as the first one. I want to have pictures of the Underwear Dragon all over the walls in my house.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone knows that royal kingdoms from long ago needed a dragon just as much as they needed knights and kings. In this follow-up to the popular Attack of the Underwear Dragon, Sir Cole decides that he requires some assistance in his various tasks. Overwhelmed by the response to his ad asking for applicants, he takes a break from interviewing them and strolls through the kingdom. Along the way, he realizes that the Underwear Dragon wasn't being rude, disobedient or subversive by not obeying the signs posted around the kingdom. Once Sir Cole realizes that the Underwear Dragon is illiterate, he decides to teach his former enemy to read. Although his heart is in the right place, this is not an easy task, and the Underwear Dragon struggles and sets fire to the book Sir Cole is using. Fortunately for Cole, an imaginative girl named Claire is nearby, and she has just the right tools to douse that fire so the lessons can go on. Of course, the story has a happy ending with the Underwear Dragon proudly wearing a pair of undies bedecked with the letters of the alphabet, a gift from Sir Cole, and Claire named assistant knight, and even a story for sharing with all the knights of the Round Table. There is plenty of humor in this story as well as in its illustrations, created in Photoshop from gouache textures digitally painted. Sure to be another hit for young readers because of the presence of underwear and this unlikely alliance, this picture book might also be ideal for sharing with struggling or emergent readers since it offers comfort that the struggle to learn to read pays off and that acquiring literacy skills isn't easy for everyone--not even ferocious dragons.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is cute (note: I haven't read the first book in the series) but I feel like the story is too convoluted for a 40 page picture book. We start with Sir Cole - who, to be honest, seems a bit judgy about people's underwear - advertising for an assistant. A lot of people respond to the ad (including a little girl named Claire making an anti-dragon kit) and Sir Cole gets overwhelmed and takes a walk. While walking, he realizes that the Underwear Dragon couldn't read the signs about not wearing one's undies on the outside and goes off to teach the Underwear Dragon (who isn't happy to see him) to read. This doesn't go well. The Dragon is about to torch the town again when Claire shows up with her anti-dragon kit to save the day (Claire's appearances are almost 20p apart). Sir Cole tries again to teach the Dragon to read, is successful this time, and he makes Claire his assistant - and writes a book that he reads to the Knights of the Round Table. A lot.

The illustrations are super-cute, but the story...eh.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children’s Books through the Fall Day of Dialogue.
Humorous sequel as Sir Cole and the Underwear Dragon return. Sir Cole needs an assistant so puts out a call. People come from everywhere and he realizes he needs help. He sets out to find the dragon and teach him to read. Readers will love the humor shown as this process does not go well at first. Cole finds an assistant when Claire arrives to help. I love that readers see that learning to read can be difficult and frustrating but to persevere and keep trying. The character expressions are terrific and show readers what each is thinking and feeling as the story progresses. Looking forward to sharing this one with students.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to "Attack of the Underwear Dragon", "Return of the Underwear Dragon" begins with Sir Cole searching for a personal assistant. A long line of applicants await to be interviewed and Sir Cole becomes overwhelmed and decides to go for a walk. On his walk, he encounters warning signs for the infamous Underwear Dragon. Cole is then "hit" with the realization that Underwear Dragon doesn't know how to read and it becomes his personal quest to teach him. After some trials and lots of perseverance, Underwear Dragon finally learns how to read with the help of Sir Cole and his new assistant knight, Claire. As always, we love the illustrations in Oswald's stories and Rothman's stories. Great addition to any library!

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun follow-up to Rothman's first book, Attack of the Underwear Dragon. It's more than just saving the kingdom from the dragon's fire. It's about learning to read, handling embarrassment, teamwork, and reading together.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sequel to The Attack of the Underwear Dragon. Cole was knighted Sir Cole after defeating the dragon (in the earlier book), but he realizes the reason the dragon showed up in his underwear and destroyed the kingdom was because he couldn't read the sings warning against doing that! So Cole set out to find the dragon and to teach him to read, which certainly had its challenges - especially since Underwear Dragon didn't ever want to see Cole again.
Fun story and illustrations.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually liked this one better than the first installment in the series. Sir Cole is looking for an assistant knight but gets intimidated by the number of applicants so he takes a walk. On that walk he sees all kinds of signs prohibiting destruction and realizes that the dragon much have detroyed the town because he couldn't read the signs. So, he takes it upon himself to teach the dragon to read and hilarity ensues. I love the new assistant knight, too! This is a great story time read!

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to look back at what I said about the first one because I didn't really remember it (which is kind of a problem because you definitely need to remember the first one to get this one). I'm not surprised that this didn't blow me away since the first one didn't either. It has some nice parts about persevering, helping others, etc. but it's also just kind of weird.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it is funny. I also like it because it is enthusiastic and teaches not to quit and to help each other with our problems. I did not like it when the dragon got frustrated about not being able to read and so he got angry and mean. We need to calm down. I think most kids will like this story. (review by Oskar, 4th grade)

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Cole decides to hire an assistant to help him, but during the hiring process he takes a walk, and comes upon the Underwear Dragon who had attacked the kingdom before. But this time Sir Cole tries to teach the Underwear Dragon to read, and with the help of his would-be assistant, Claire, and her outwit dragon kit the two of them meet the challenge of teaching the Underwear Dragon to read.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a silly story about a knight teaching a dragon to read. This can be a very real frustration. This story tackles that aspect with the dragon getting frustrated when he wasn’t making progress on learning to read resulting in flame tantrums. However, he’s able to overcome. There’s also just something fun about seeing a dragon in underpants.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Cole seeks out the Underwear Dragon after discovering that his arch nemesis can't read! Join Sir Cole and ingenious new Assistant Knight Claire as their quest to teach the Underwear Dragon to read comes to an absurdly sweet finale.

[Anneke Alnatour · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I didn't really get this story. I am not kidding: I just didn't really get it. The kids found it okay, but didn't ask me to re-read it, like they normally do.

Dragons, literacy, and a character on a mission: so much potential!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first one is better. I do like that it continues the theme of pushing through frustration in learning to read. And I do wish that I had some equivalent to Claire's invention to help me deal with my own reluctant reader.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The underwear dragon comes back, and Sir Cole attempts to teach him to read. Because the reason he burned the castle down the first time was because he couldn't read the signs that told him he wasn't allowed. This series is a little strange but fun illustrations.

[Sequella Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great imagination book for a young child especially a little boy … love the underwear!!! Learning the alphabet and to read in a very fun way!

A great book for repetitive reading something new for several readings!!

Love one of the reviewers comments about being a bully.

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha! A fun return visit to Sir Cole and the Underwear Dragon. Of course he is cranky - he can't read!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read to boys who may be struggling with learning to read.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t as funny as the first one.