Captain Underpants is back in award-winning author and illustrator Dav Pilkey’s completely hilarious fourth book in the series.
George and Harold, Jerome Horwitz Elementary School’s resident pranksters, have struck again, and this time they’re in really big trouble. Their new science teacher, Professor Pippy P. Poopypants, is sick and tired of kids making fun of his name and seeks revenge by shrinking all the kids and teachers with his amazing invention, the Shrinky-Pig 2000. But never fear, that intrepid superhero Captain Underpants (faster than a waistband, more powerful than boxer shorts, and able to leap tall buildings without getting a wedgie!) is all set to take on this new nasty with the help of George and Harold, a little luck, and a lot of laughter.
Pilkey has written and illustrated over 30 books for children including award-winners like the Dumb Bunnies books, Dog Breath, winner of the California Young Reader Medal, and The Paperboy, a Caldecott Honor book. With Captain Underpants, he’s created something of a reading phenomenon and a best-selling series. His wonderfully zany sense of humour appeals to kids, particularly preteen boys, and he uses a variety of writing styles and illustration techniques to engage even the most reluctant readers. Like previous books in the series, this one mixes the traditional easy-reader chapter-book with comic-book sequences. Pilkey also wants kids to see reading as an interactive activity and he uses a flipbook technique that he calls “Flip-O-Rama” to add to the fun. Once a hyperactive child and reluctant reader himself, he has created a series of books that are well written, action-packed, and a lot of fun.
Pilkey has recently launched a new series for younger readers called Ricky Ricotta’s Giant Robot. Ricky is a little mouse who is always being picked on by neighbourhood bullies and is just waiting for something “big” to happen. That day comes when Ricky saves a giant flying robot from being destroyed by the fiendishly mad scientist who created him. Dr. Stinky McNasty is determined to take revenge and has all sorts of horrible ideas up his sleeve, but Ricky and his giant robot are ready to take him on.
Ricky Ricotta is an entertaining read that will appeal to young readers ready to tackle a first chapter book. Illustrations by newcomer Martin Ontiveros neatly complement Pilkey’s accessible text. However, the book lacks the verve and dynamism of Captain Underpants. It might be that the first in a proposed eight-book series just can’t live up to the standards of Pilkey’s more inventive series for older readers.