Every year for Banned Books Week, I try to read the kids a book that has been challenged or banned. Last year we got And Tango Makes Three, and the year before that, Heather Has Two Mommies, both sweet, gentle stories about families.
This year was a little different. I read them The Adventures of Captain Underpants, mostly because I forgot what week it was and already had a copy of this book. It seemed appropriate, anyway, since we are in the middle of potty training Liam and it may turn into a battle of wills before too long. We could use a way to make underpants desirable to a two-year-old.
Books from the Captain Underpants series have become Liam's favorite bedtime stories. While I'm fine with the anti-authoritarian message, I hope Thea and Liam don't identify with the kids in the books. They're kind of assholes.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Celebrating our freedom to read about underpants
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Just this weekend I was at the book store buying a gift for a child. While there Elliot asked what book we were going to read next, we just finished James and the Giant Peach or as he called it Jack and the Large Mango. I skipped right past these books and headed for the Magical Tree House books. I cannot bring myself to buy Captain Underpants. Maybe our next trip to the library will include some Capt Underpants.
Want Audrey's big girls use the potty book? Didn't work on her, maybe it'll work on a boy?
With L, wanting to get into the "princess" underpants that all her friends were wearing did the trick. Not to push branding, but Spidey and Batman are pretty cool...
Dude- that's a fantastic idea that I'm blatantly stealing. Off to order banned books for the girls to celebrate the week. Remind me next year, if you think of it!
I am a big fan of Dav Pilkey. His mini chapter books featuring the character Dragon are fun to read. Kat Kong, Dogzilla, and Dog Breath are also silly stories kids (and grownups) can appreciate!
Capt Underpants books are funny, my kids like them more than I do. We spent banned books week reading some really good stuff, Lois Lowery, Mark Twain, etc. I really wish that they would have done something for Banned Books week here, but unfortunately I am in a small town, and there are more people that want to ban the books than celebrate their right to read them.
Oh, my kids love these. Also funny is the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and its sequel.
I love Captain Underpants! I love the idea that you read banned books, because who really are these people who make the finally decisions.
We've tried everything to get Liam interested in potty training. I think we might be pushing it too hard, because he's getting ornery about it.
Captain Underpants: It is funny, but holy cremoly those kids are kind of jerks. I think this clearly marks me as Not the Target Audience.
Yeah they are a$$holes. Maybe you could use them as examples of how NOT to act. ;)
I have a 13 year old son. He loved these books and these are what got him into reading.
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