The Captain Underpants Craze

I was recently in charge of throwing our Captain Underpants party at the library. In preparation, I reread one of the books (admittedly I did not commit to reading all 10). After reading, I felt like reflecting. This should not be surprising.

For those who are unfamiliar, let's recap:

George and Harold are two fourth graders who frequently get in trouble and accidentally turn their nasty principal into Captain Underpants by hypnotizing him. The duo creates comic books which frequently become real through a series of mishaps. Adventures often include villains like toilets, Professor Poopypants, or evil lunch ladies. Parents and educators love to discuss how offensive the series is, for the following reasons:

-"Gross" language? 

-Rejection of authority

-Many comics and pictures are present even though they are chapter books

However. . .

Is it really any different than reading Archie comics? The Archie gang was overtly sexual and mature, but I still devoured any issue I could. The same goes for Gossip Girl, which also includes blatant alcohol/drug abuse. Captain Underpants may not be Jane Austen, but that's the point. Fourth grade boys aren't nearly as likely to be pulled in by tepid stories of animals or heartbreak. I'm willing to bet that, for the typical 8-12 year old boy (potentially older, too), burping, farting, and all other bodily functions are Funny with a capital "F." They eat this stuff up, and Dav Pilkey has tapped into a goldmine. 

As for rejecting authority, many heros and heroines in classic works have fought "the man." As Jessica Roake points out in this article from Slate.com, even Huck Finn didn't follow directions. Let's face it, a book about boys who follow all the rules probably won't engage reluctant readers.

I firmly believe in the value of mindless activities at certain times. The way I see it, this can include reading as well as TV. I enjoy "beach reads," or books that allow my brain to relax. For those who wish to argue that Captain Underpants is not encouraging young readers to think critically, learn history, or analyze the foundation of society, are you always reading something so heavy? There needs to be time for lighthearted reading in addition to more scholarly publications. What's more, this series may engage young readers in related fields: perhaps a reader starts working on his own comic books, or tries creating a hypnotizing machine after reading about George and Harold. Before condemning the books, let's take a moment to consider how basic fourth grade humor can positively impact an audience. I'd argue that we should give Captain Underpants a fighting chance.

For the record, our attendees loved throwing bean bags in a toilet, and wearing men's underwear during a relay race. Pilkey has a strong following, and my latest run-in with Captain Underpants reminded me that it is with good reason.