Dav Pilkey

from James:

Alas, I fear this is the last in the series, but it's okay. It's better to go out on top. My 8-year old and I have enjoyed these a lot. They are often laugh-out-loud funny. More so than with the others, I imagine you'd be pretty confused if you haven't read the titles leading up to this one; the grand annulment requires keeping straight several sets of Georges and Harolds.

Pilkey's books always had inside jokes that are aimed at adults. That is especially true in this book. The show more opening chapter riffs on censorship. To a kid, it's just about how silly adults can be, but to a librarian, it resonates deeper (though I guess the takeaway is the same: adults can be silly).

Something else important happens in this book. At one point, Harold and George go into the future to illicit help from the only adults they can trust--themselves. In the process, we met their future families and learn (without further comment) that George has a husband. It's not an issue and could almost be missed (in fact, my son didn't even hiccup about it). It nearly made me choke up in its normality. In many ways Pilkey's books have always been topical. This is just one more example and one that's certain to set off certain silly adults. show less

I buy books for my four-year-old niece on a regular basis. The age appropriate ones I give to her immediately. The ones not so age-appropriate I keep until she's ready. In the meantime, I get the joy of reading them.

Captain Underpants has been banned for "offensive language and modeling bad behavior." It's hilarious that parents would be outraged in the first place. George and Harold aren't bad kids. They don't steal, or bully other kids for their lunch money. They're typical little boys, show more highly imaginative with a naughty streak. In fact, their virtues far outweigh their vices. They're creative, active, respectful kids. They have a code of honor, and they follow through on their promises instead of whining and blowing the whistle on mean Mr. Krupp's blackmail demands.

Let's also remember that these kids do not exist. They are characters in a book. So they like poo jokes? What little kid at some time find poo jokes unfunny? Name one!

Well written, funny, with hilarious illustrations that left me giggling in glee. I'll be handing this book over to my niece in a few years with no problem. This was a great book, and I'd rather she read this than turn on the television and watch shows featuring snarky, backtalking, snotty little child actors. In fact, I think I'll buy her the entire series.

I dare anyone to stop me. show less

It surprised me.

I put off reading this book because it just did not appeal to me. A superhero with the body of a human and the head of a dog? And yet, the books are immensely popular. So I gave it a shot. A few pages in, and I was hooked! The book tells the adventures of Dog Man, the world’s most greatest cop. (I won’t give away how he becomes Dog Man, because that is a fun part of the story.) I would HIGHLY recommend this book for all 6-8 year old kids (especially boys) who are show more reluctant readers, and all kids in general. (and adults like me)

What I liked: absolutely everything. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and imaginative. The characters are fun and unique. The stories are positively silly and absolutely entertaining. Plus, there are some “flip-o-rama” pages where the reader gets to flip the page back-and-forth to see the characters do some action. (so fun)

What I didn’t like: nothing really. There is a bit of poor grammar, but it makes sense as the story is being “written” by a little kid.

Overall, an absolute delight.

5 out of 5 stars show less

Melvin Sneedley is gifted, talented and obnoxious. So, when his classmates George Beard and Harold Hutchins fail to be impressed by the demonstration of his Combine-O-Tron 2000 by which he has turned his pet hamster Sulu and a toy robot into a super-bionic rodent that won’t obey Melvin’s commands, Melvin plots revenge. Alas, in his rage he experiments on himself and, with an unfortunate sneeze, accidentally turns himself into the Bionic Booger Boy, a great slimy green gob of snot that show more would make Bruce Banner lose his appetite for lunch and the Jolly Green Giant exclaim, “Nothing like this ever happened on my side of the family.” show less