The Adventures of Captain Underpants-Dav Pilkey August 17, 2007
The two questions I’m asked most in my library are: “Where do you keep the good books?” and “Where are the Captain Underpants books?” The first is answered with a sigh at my lack of forethought and the second answer is, inevitably, “They’re all checked out.” Captain Underpants is one of the most popular series in the library for the 8 to 11 set. Now, shall we digress? There are two schools of thought on the Captain Underpants type genre: “It’s not good literature!” and “But, they’re reading!” “It’ll warp their minds!” and “But, they’re reading!” I could go on, but for your sake, I’ll desist. Dav Pilkey is the author of the aforementioned controversial books. Some of his books are: The Adventures of Captain Underpants; Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets; Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman. (Almost pretentious, aren’t they, in their lack of pretention.) I’m sure generations, ad infinitum, have run into this dilemma. In fact, I can almost picture an ancient Roman library and an 8 year old student asking Tiberius (He did have something to do with libraries, right?): “Where are the Imperator Underpants Scrolls?” And after a well-practiced scowling look from the librarian, defensive student replies, “Hey, I’m reading, ain’t I?” My opinion? I never scowl.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants (et al)
Written and Illustrated by Dav Pilkey
Accelerated Reader RL Middle to High 4’s
You hit the nail on the head with your inciteful review! And how about that Super Diaper Baby? I almost died (laughing, but don’t tell the kids) when I looked into that one! They are, without a doubt, the most popular books in my school’s library. You really have to wonder about this Dav guy…until you read his wonderful “The Paperboy” .
Thanks, Erin, for your comment. I think our only hope is that Super Diaper Baby never becomes a teenager. Hmm, sounds as if you need to write a review for “The Paperboy.”