Take a photo of a barcode or cover
http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=4352
Ever since I started teaching I have had Captain Underpants fans in my classroom. Readers (especially boys though, like all books, it is not exclusive) love these books. When I started teaching intensive reading, my students loved that I read so much but were astonished that I had never read a Captain Underpants book. So, during the summer of 2012, I read the entire series that was out at the time. And suprsingly, I am happy I did. I enjoyed the books so much, and I found many different ways that I could use in the series in classroom. As I read I not only enjoyed the stories (well most of them; the booger one was quite gross), but I kept notes on different ways each book could be a mentor text. I know that students already love the books so I would love to be able to use them in the classroom. I think that part of what makes Pilkey’s humor work is that he never talks down to his reader. The humor is intelligent and witty, and he makes sure to have his books be as entertaining as possible to keep the reader’s attention.
Ever since I started teaching I have had Captain Underpants fans in my classroom. Readers (especially boys though, like all books, it is not exclusive) love these books. When I started teaching intensive reading, my students loved that I read so much but were astonished that I had never read a Captain Underpants book. So, during the summer of 2012, I read the entire series that was out at the time. And suprsingly, I am happy I did. I enjoyed the books so much, and I found many different ways that I could use in the series in classroom. As I read I not only enjoyed the stories (well most of them; the booger one was quite gross), but I kept notes on different ways each book could be a mentor text. I know that students already love the books so I would love to be able to use them in the classroom. I think that part of what makes Pilkey’s humor work is that he never talks down to his reader. The humor is intelligent and witty, and he makes sure to have his books be as entertaining as possible to keep the reader’s attention.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oddly enough I liked this better than the previous installment - I think I just laughed more. The plot’s not as all out interesting as the previous, but I liked most of the elements - Harold and George being exhausted, Harold threatened with flunking his grade and staying behind without George genuinely made my heart leap — that’s evil!!! I don’t know why I was charmed by this one so much in comparison to the others, I gotta think about it.
Dav’s still experimenting with the formwith those 4-year-old rendition of the flip-o-rama, love to see that. The hamster-pterodactyl hybrids made me laugh, but I thought it was weird that sulu and crackers basically sacrificed themselves for the world with no emotional response from George and Harold.
Dav’s still experimenting with the form
These books get more and more ridiculous, you can't help but laugh!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Harold and George - err, I mean Melvin is back!
This time Melvin is learning that walking in the shoes of Harold and George is really not all what it is cracked up to be and even worse there is an evil Toilet on the loose wrecking havok upon the world. Melvin has to find a solution to keep the Toilet and finds a toenail clipping belonging to Mr. Krupp. He rushes this back to his lap while being chased and develops a DNA drink to make him powerful just in time.
Then we get a small interlude with little Timmy and his grandmother before the action returns.
We find that Melvin has defeated the giant Toilet and has become a town hero. Unfortunately being such a hero is not all it is cracked up and he finds himself being called for the most obsured things.
It is about this time George, Harold, and Captain Underpants return holding three eggs. But for the boys things are not over quite yet. Mr. Krupp is gleeful when the boys don't go to school and thrilled now that he will have the opportunity to split the boys up. Then mix in Yesterday George and Yesterday Harold and the school will never be the same!
This book was funny. I love how the teachers ended up feeling like they were going insane enough to take off their clothes and run wild in their underwear! I would too, I think, especially if I came across two Georges and two Harolds. I think that would be enough to make anyone think they were crazy. I have really come to enjoy this series and even with it's potty humor, I have been recommending it to friends who have children.
This time Melvin is learning that walking in the shoes of Harold and George is really not all what it is cracked up to be and even worse there is an evil Toilet on the loose wrecking havok upon the world. Melvin has to find a solution to keep the Toilet and finds a toenail clipping belonging to Mr. Krupp. He rushes this back to his lap while being chased and develops a DNA drink to make him powerful just in time.
Then we get a small interlude with little Timmy and his grandmother before the action returns.
We find that Melvin has defeated the giant Toilet and has become a town hero. Unfortunately being such a hero is not all it is cracked up and he finds himself being called for the most obsured things.
It is about this time George, Harold, and Captain Underpants return holding three eggs. But for the boys things are not over quite yet. Mr. Krupp is gleeful when the boys don't go to school and thrilled now that he will have the opportunity to split the boys up. Then mix in Yesterday George and Yesterday Harold and the school will never be the same!
This book was funny. I love how the teachers ended up feeling like they were going insane enough to take off their clothes and run wild in their underwear! I would too, I think, especially if I came across two Georges and two Harolds. I think that would be enough to make anyone think they were crazy. I have really come to enjoy this series and even with it's potty humor, I have been recommending it to friends who have children.
"You're thinking too much. Listen, if you look too closely at these stories, they're gonna fall apart completely. Whaddya think this is, Shakespeare?!!?"
Ironically enough, Shakespeare has quite a few loopholes.
And down the rabbit hole we go...
I remember coming to Canada and absolutely hating, detesting reading because it was so goddamn frustrating trying to learn a new language. And then these books came along and I thought it was the best thing, right up there with bagged milk. We have pictures, words spelled phonetically, and a plot line even my 7 year old self thought as ridiculous.
Then I promptly dropped this series and tackled Harry Potter.
But some stories do stay with you forever, don't they?
There is a certain fondness I associate with Captain Underpants and Magic Tree House and the Magic School Bus. They are for children, and the authors don't try to make them anything else. There is no great literary value, no pretentious coverup. They have realized that the point of reading is to have FUN. To create this environment for kids where if they are looked at funny by their peers and asked "you're reading? what's so good about reading?" they can respond "here, let me show you." and pull up a flip-o-rama or show some pictures of Cap defeating the bad toilet monster. It's silly, filled with juvenile humour, very little plot, and makes absolutely no sense if looked at too closely. But it's pure entertainment for a reluctant reader.
Which is why these will always be 5 star worthy.
***I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
The only fault with this book was that it was too short
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced