Captain Underpants

Although I've come to like the Dog Man books a little more, my son (newly 5) loves this series. It's remarkable because he's able to follow blocks of text and storyline without missing a beat. Even more remarkable are the side conversations these books have inspired about a range of subjects from vocabulary to good eating habits. The themes aren't as rich as the ones in Dog Man but I can't ignore the effect this book has had on the reading life of my child. Pilkey gets extra stars for that.

Real Rating: 4.5

George and Harold are back!

Our story opens with a meteor moving across the sky only to stop over the school and unseemingly disappear. When morning comes, no one seems to realize that the shooting star was actually a space ship carrying aliens bent on conqueroring the Earth (and one of them had funniest name!). So when Harold and George play a prank on the lunch ladies and the women quit, the aliens find it the perfect opportunity to begin with the kids and adults there. It is up to George and Harold (and Captain Underpants!) to save the day!

My opinion:

I have come to love these books. They are funny and I love watching George and Harold try to keep Captain Underpants from getting his backside kicked so many times. These books have even brought my nephew to sit with me just so we can read together.

I know these books are not aimed at adults and have been banned in most libraries but I think if people would take the time and read these with their children, I believe they would find them funny and engaging.

George and Harold are great pranksters but at the same time they are also getting a dose of Karma with turning Mr. Krupps into Captain Underpants. They are learning a lesson with this and doing everything they can to keep everyone from learning who Captain Underpants really is.

I am seriously looking forward to seeing how these books play out in the rest of the series.