Now, if you are not closely related to a young-ish boy or girl, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about.

And that’s OK.

Captain Underpants is the hero of a series of chapter books by Dav Pilkey, and they happen to be the perfect “gateway books.” They have a great chance at turning your reluctant reader into someone who actually turns off the television to go and read.

Yes, you read that right.  My son has done exactly that.

The Munchkin, who is an excellent reader, had yet to discover the joys of reading a book to oneself, rather than enjoying them only with someone else.  Oh sure, he would read a book or two at the school library because he was bored and had nothing better to do, it wasn’t entirely voluntary.  Reading a story with someone at bedtime was a must, but for some reason, he didn’t want to read alone.

But once we got our hands on these babies, he has begun the wonderful process of  reading a book not just because he is bored, but because it is a fun thing to do.

Is there questionable potty humor in these books?

Yes.

Will your young one’s vocabulary suddenly begin to include potty humor words?

Well, yes, but they were already using them, just not so much around you.

So in exchange for a few week’s worth of hearing “doo-doo” and “underpants,” I now have someone who has branched out to reading many of the other books that have been patiently waiting for him in his personal library.

I’ll take it.

*I received no payment or free product for this review.  I spent my own damn money, and it was well worth it.