There's a new superhero at our house these days. He's funnier than Spiderman, uses more potty humor than Spongebob, and has a better costume than Batman. And believe it or not, even Super Mario has taken a popularity backseat to the tighty-whitey wearing superhero known as Captain Underpants.
Who is Captain Underpants? Well, he's the superhero of Dav Pilkey's popular children series about two fourth grade boys who hypnotized their mean principal, turning him into a red cape wearing superhero, fighting injustice in his underwear.
How did this happen? Jacob came home from school about two weeks ago with the first book in the series which had been generously lent to him by his first grade teacher from his personal collection of children's books. Jacob had already devoured half the book during his spare time in class and on the bus ride home, and he talked of nothing but Captain Underpants for the rest of the evening. Super Mario was never even mentioned.
Within two days, Jacob had zipped through the 150+ page novel, and he returned to school and begged his teacher for more. Now, three books later, we are all well versed in the antics of Captain Underpants, the talking toilets, the naughty cafeteria ladies from outer space, and the purple potty people, not to mention Captain Underpants' unforgettable catch phrase, "Tra-la-laaaa!"
I am eternally grateful to Jacob's teacher for inspiring a love of books. And I am so happy that books have replaced video games (fingers crossed) in Jacob's heart. But really, Captain Underpants? What happened to Sarah Plain and Tall, Charlotte's Web, The Mouse and the Motorcycle? They are all potty humor free, and they are the books that I grew up loving. And most importantly, none of them would have inspired Benjy to dress like this.
Chris said, consolingly, "Don't worry, babe. At this rate, Jacob will be reading To Kill a Mockingbird by summer."
Well, a mom can dream anyway.
Before To Kill a Mockingbird must come the Adventures of Super Diaperbaby. And, Oh. Em. Gee. That picture is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Glad that they are reading and Benjy is adorable! Go Benjy!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Superfudge :)
ReplyDeleteBEWARE of Superfudge. My five year-old found out there was no Santa from that book. I even sent Judy Blume an angry email about it!
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