Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
From Amazon:
The first book in Dav Pilkey’s megabest-selling Captain Underpants series, now available in SoundORama!
Fourth graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins are a couple of class clowns. The only thing they enjoy more than playing practical jokes is creating their own comic books. And together they’ve created the greatest superhero in the history of their elementary school: Captain Underpants! His true identity is SO secret, even HE doesn’t know who he is!
The Captain Underpants series is perfect for listeners of all ages. Like the other outrageously funny books by acclaimed author and Caldecott Honor illustrator Dav Pilkey, this adventure is sure to be hours of fun!
Challenges and Bans:
- Offensive language: Some versions of the books have been challenged for using what some consider offensive language.
- Partial nudity: The main character, Captain Underpants, wears only briefs and a cape, which has led to complaints about partial nudity.
- Violence: The series has been challenged for violence, though the author argues the level of violence is comparable to superhero cartoons.
- Disruptive behavior and questioning authority: Some have claimed the books encourage children to be disruptive and question authority, based on the premise of two mischievous schoolchildren.
- Unsuited for age group: The series has been challenged for being inappropriate for its target age group.
- Same-sex couple: A book in the series was challenged for featuring a same-sex married couple.
- Racist imagery: A spin-off book, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, was pulled by the publisher after the author acknowledged it contained “passively racist imagery” despite the intent to promote diversity.