Captain Underpants books for a 1st grader?

[Kimberle]

Hi,

Anyone familiar with the Captin Underpants series of childrens books? I haven't read them, but was looking at them in the bookstore. They look really cute & have gotten good reviews.

I was thinking of buying a set for dh's 7yr nephew, who is in First grade. His Mother says he is "average" in school. I'm not sure how well 1st graders read. I don't want to get anything to hard. Do you think these books are good for a 1st grader?

He's hard to buy for. He just had his birthday & I got him clothes. He has tons & tons of toys, so I don't really want to do those routes. Last year I got him a "real" watch which he really liked.

 

[Christine]

I think they'd be a bit tough for 1st graders. Most of the book is in "comic book" style and can be kind of tough if the reader doesn't have good skills.

My son is in 3rd grade and reads them just fine; however, he could not read them in 1st grade. But, he loved having me read them to him. They are pretty funny!

 

[browneyes]

Both of my kids loved reading Captain Underpants.

 

[holycow]

If the child is very impressionable I wouldn't recommend these books...they are very funny and silly but if the child is very young they just may think they can say and do what the characters in the books do.

My DS read them when he was a bit older....

how about something from the science store?...I know my DSister would always get my kids fun stuff from stores like that.

Good luck!

Holycow

 

[dmfuru]

My son (2nd grade) got one Captain Underpants book and I returned it to the bookstore. He is learning spelling and grammar in school--there were lots of words in the book which were deliberately misspelled. I told my son he could get the books later, when his reading/spelling is good enough that he recognizes the misspelled words.

For example, in this book, SURE was repeatedly spelled SHURE--not a big deal, but at his age, I'd rather that my son learn the proper spelling--when he's a bit older he'd probably recognize that SHURE is a deliberate misspelling.

 

[my3kids]

Probably too tough for a first grader. There is a series called Step into Reading, I think. They have books on all sorts of subjects and topics. Those would be better for a new reader.

 

[Kimberle]

Thanks, everyone!
It's nice to get honest opinions.

 

[KathyTX]

My DS10 started reading Captain Underpants in 2nd grade, and loves these books.

Silly, irreverent, sometimes slightly disgusting and rude- just the kind of thing to make most little boys laugh out loud.

They probably are a bit too hard for most first graders to read alone, but he'd probably enjoy reading along with an older sibling or a parent.

 

[mudnuri]

Both of my DD's read above their grade level- DD7 came home last year with a CU book from the school library- she was in 1st grade, though she could read it I was a bit taken aback by things other posters had mentioned, the mispellings, grammar errors etc..


I explained to her why it was not the best type of book for her, since she had spelling/grammar tests etc, it could/would confuse her...she understood and did not bring any more home.

I personally don't like the "name" of the book myself, I'm much happier with them reading Magic Tree House Books

Another vote for the Step into Reading, they go from Pre-K through level 5, these were great when my DD's were learning to read, and had to read 20 minutes a night for homework (they still have too !!)


Brandy

 

[Karel]

Unless he's an advanced reader, it will be tough for him to read alone. Also, as previously stated here, some parents are put off by their title and content. I have one friend who absolutely refuses to let her son read them. I plan on buying them for my 11 yo who has a low reading level but he's interested in these and I'll buy him anything he wants to read.

If you go to the bookstore, I'm sure they will have good suggestions but you could look into the Henry and Mudge series or Nate the Great. Also, there is a great set of non fiction books called the Eyewitness series. Each book is based on a subject, like basketball or egypt and has great pictures. Maybe he has a particular interest?

How about art stuff? Modeling clay, markers, papers. At this age, there are a lot of simple board games he might like.

Does he have a cd player? There are a lot of great cd for kids too, like the Radio Disney CDs.

 

[Cindy B]

Look on the back of books, you should see the reading level..

On the back near the UPC, depending on the publisher, you will see a thing that says RL and a number.

RL = reading level

For example RL= 2.5 would be second grade fifth month, etc.

Personally I wouldn't recommend Captain Underpants. From a student reading teacher perspective, there are a lot of misspellings and incorrect meanings... its basically a comic book in a book form.. Many of my students have dyslexia, and decoding issues, so that book would not be good for them. My son actually doesn't like them.. he calls them gross, and stupid.. (his words!)

As for other 1st grade alternatives here are a few:

Magic Tree House Mary Pope Osborne.. my kids love these. I have a first grade average reader and these are a little hard for her.

A to Z Mysteries.. great reading as well. Don't know the authors name, but they use some great illeterations like for M.. Magic at Midnight (example)


Henry and Mudge and Nate the Great are fantastic as well. (thanks other poster!!)

There are some cute Scooby Doo chapter books as well out there, but of course check the reading level.

If he likes sports there is some fun Matt Christopher sport books as well...

Judy Blume Freckle Juice is cute

For some other ideas

Marc Brown Arthur chapter books... my daughter can read these, but has troulbe with the Magic Tree house.

There are some nice picture books but appropriate for first grade.. for example my daughter loves Curious George.. it makes her laugh!

 

[Karel]

Oh, also, the kids that come into the library love Where's Waldo and I Spy books.