Jeff’s Books to Open Your Mind: Captain Underpants

I love these books.

I’m not sure how I discovered them before becoming a father, but I did, and read them to my wife as we both laughed hysterically. 

The Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants alone almost asphyxiated me due to trying to continue reading through uncontrollable giggles. 

I made sure to buy box sets for everyone I knew who had kids.

Now sharing them with my daughter, and anticipating and celebrating each new entry in the series and its spin offs has become a ritual with us.

They are a key link in the chain of books I recommend to kids as they pass through certain ages.

I could not in good conscience, however, include them in my series on “Mind Opening” books, as they are primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I contemplated citing they were examples of intelligence and creativity that strays from the beaten path of traditional book learning.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I pondered pointing out how they extol the virtues of being an individual, and question the herd mentality of, “It’s always been done that way.”

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I reflected on the varied and interesting ways the books break the fourth wall. Not only by using, Monster at the End of this Book like page references, but also through self-knowledge of both the genre they inhabit and the running gags that connect through both this series and others by Dav Pilkey.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I observed the inherent diversity of the characters.  Multiple races and cultures are represented but never pointed out as anything out of the ordinary, they all simply co-exist. The only prejudices shown are completely justifiable ones against arrogance, unapologetic ignorance and cruelty.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I considered the introductions of many thought provoking classic science fiction elements that crop up throughout the stories such as: Time Paradoxes, Alternate Universes and Progress Gone Unchecked.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I examined the way they highlight the critical differences between true learning and rote memorization, and how the former builds upon what came before and establishes a desire for future gains, while the latter only cultivates a dislike of education.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I thought about the demonstration of the friendship of George and Harold. It exemplifies how a strong bond formed between like-minded individuals can eliminate feelings of isolation those with unusual qualities or interests can have, and can add to their abilities and experiences.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I marveled while chuckling at the farce like convoluted plot threads, which all come together at the conclusions. They are peppered throughout with various pop cultural and even intellectual references to events and ideas beyond the lifespans and standard knowledge bases of the target audience and probably most of their parents.  These show how much thought and planning are needed to pull off truly successful comedy, whether the end result is highbrow or lowbrow.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I mulled over the many mini-morals that come up in throw-away dialogue, such as,

“Wow!  You mean it’s that easy?

All you have to do is make up your mind and stick to it, and you can change the future?”

These valuable nuggets of information are hidden in the entertainment, letting kids pick them up without feeling lectured.  That makes a much better and stronger way to get them to accept the ideas than boring tales beating them over the head with politically corrected lessons.

But they are still primarily collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

I discovered this passage about why many grown-ups seem to hate it when kids are having fun in the tenth and most recent Epic Novel

Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers.

“I think it’s a lot easier for adults to stomp out someone else’s fun than it is for them to reflect on their own lives and figure out where it all went so miserably wrong.  It’s just too depressing for grown-ups to ponder all the decades of compromises, failures, laziness, fear and regrettable choices that slowly transformed them from running, jumping laughing, fun-loving kids into grumpy, complaining, calorie-counting, easily offended, peace and quiet demanding grouches.

In other words, it’s harder to look within yourself than it is to shout, ‘HEY YOU KIDS, CUT THAT OUT!’”

And realized…

They’re REALLY FUNNY collections of bad puns and poop jokes.

Consider my mind opened, I hope yours will be too.

Tra La LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!