Module 10: Captain Underpants

Summary. In this "third epic novel" of the series, the title says it all: Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds). This tale of action, adventure, and potty humor has an unlikely superhero (the principal, who yanks off his clothes and saves the world in his underwear and a polka-dot cape), aliens trying to take over the world by emulating the lunch ladies, kids turned into zombie nerds, the school cafeteria -- I shall say no more on this one, and innocent school children just trying to make it through the day without getting zapped. Add in the cartoon-style illustrations which George and Harold create to explain the zany transitions from one story element to another, and you have a recipe for Second Grade Boy Ecstasy.

Citation. Pilkey, Dav. Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds). New York: Scholastic, 1999. Print.

My Impressions. Replete with "Tons-O-Fun" and "Flip-O-Rama," the dynamic duo of George and Harold are at it again. I was thankful for the brief recap of previous adventures provided in the "informative pamphlet" called Wedgie Wars that precedes the main story. How else would I know that the kids had hypnotized the principal and caused him to become the superhero of the story? In any case, this series has been the topic of controversy since its introduction in 1997. Criticism ranges from "anti-family content,” "sexually explicit," “insensitivity,” and “encouraging children to disobey authority,” to "Why do they have to talk about poop, wedgies and farts so much?" The popularity of the Captain Underpants franchise speaks for itself: Wikipedia estimates 27 million copies sold as of this year. Adults beware: potty humor sells. Underpants are funny. And kids would like to make adults in authority look silly. Let's not fight it, let's just get on with life.

Library Uses. This concept -- using CU in a library program -- gives the straight-laced library lady a sudden desire to run the other way. I have a vision of farting, burping, silly young boy pandemonium. So as a compromise, we could invite author Dav Pilkey to speak at the library and let HIM deal with the chaos. Or we could show the Flip-O-Rama guide and then quickly change directions and do a program on flip animation... I'm just not cut out for this one.

Reviews. (Booklist) Gr. 4-6. In their third "epic" adventure, George and Harold show just what you get when you expect fourth-graders "to sit still and pay attention for seven hours a day." An introductory cartoon strip, "Wedgie Wars," takes parody and bad spelling to new depths. Mr. Krupp, the principal, still turns into Captain Underpants at the snap of a finger--and gains new superpowers before the end of the book. And there are fart jokes, dead jokes, the "Toilet Paper of Justice," sly references to everything from Batman to the Wizard of Oz, and a "Flip-O-Rama" featuring "incredibly graphic violence" (not really). What can you say about a book in which space aliens are named Zorx, Klax, and Jennifer? Or about the incredibly tasteless cafeteria lady jokes? And what can you say about the next in the series, which will feature a character named Professor Poopypants? You know how many copies you'll need to buy. --GraceAnne A. DeCandid. Sep 15, 1999. 96:2, 261.

(Library Journal) Gr 3-6. Captain Underpants is back (and stronger than ever thanks to some "extra-strength super power juice"). Jerome Horwitz Elementary School is invaded by three "incredibly naughty cafeteria ladies" who are really hideously evil aliens in disguise. Their dastardly plan is to take over Earth by turning its inhabitants into giant zombie nerds starting with the children of Piqua, OH. Harold, George, and Captain Underpants once again save the day with quick thinking and Wedgie Power. Pilkey's hilarious black-and-white pencil cartoons complement the comic humor of the text. Added to the fun are the ever-present Flip-O-Rama pages and a zany Captain Underpants comic. Whether first-time readers of this series or avid fans, children will enjoy this outrageously funny adventure.-Krista Grosick, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH. Nov. 1999. 45:11, 163. Cahners Business Information.