Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants by Dav Pilkey

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From Barnes & Noble

The Hilarious Half-Dressed Hero Reveals All!

Tra-la-laaa! He's a caped crusader who dresses in jockey shorts. He battles evil with "Wedgie Power"—and always wins! He's Captain Underpants—a sensational superhero and the star of four terrific books. In his latest adventure, Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants, the kooky crime fighter takes on Professor Pippy P. Poopypants, a mad scientist who shrinks Jerome Horwitz Elementary School—and is determined to take over the world. Jamie Levine of barnesandnoble.com was fortunate enough to talk to the heroic Captain Underpants about his amazing life.

Barnes & Noble.com: Did you always want to be a superhero—or did you just "fall into" this job?

Captain Underpants: I've fallen into a lot of things in my life, but this job was not one of them. I was born to wear underwear and fight crime!

B&N.com: Did you have to undergo any special training to be a superhero?

CU: All you need to be a superhero is a heart that is pure, a mind that is strong, and underwear that is fresh!

B&N.com: You're always smiling! Don't you ever get irritated at George and Harold for causing so much trouble?

CU: No, those two boys have been a real help to me. I think every superhero needs a good sidekick. You know, Batman has Robin, Superboy has that flying dog thingy with the cape, and I have George and Harold. The only thing is that "George" and "Harold" don't sound like good names for superhero sidekicks. I've tried to talk them into "Fleegle" and "Buttercup," but, well, they're stuck in their ways, I guess.

B&N.com: How has all the publicity you've received from starring in Dav Pilkey's books changed your life?

CU: Well, I get recognized all the time. In the old days, when people saw me coming they often ignored me (or screamed). Now, they know my name and ask for autographs. They've always got requests, too, like, "Will you give my husband a wedgie?" It's great fun!

B&N.com: Do you have any dreams of starring in movies like some of your fellow superheroes have?

CU: Maybe.... I'm not sure who could play my part, though. Obviously, Leonardo DiCaprio is the first actor to come to mind (the physical resemblance astounds even me!), but I'm not sure he'd be up to the stunt work.

B&N.com: Who's your favorite superhero?

CU: Me! If I've learned anything from Whitney Houston, it's that "learning to love yourself is the greatest..." uh, something something something....

B&N.com: What do you like to do in your spare time (when you're not fighting crime)?

CU: A crime fighter's job is never finished! But on my breaks, I enjoy swimming and bowling (often at the same time, which really annoys the guys down at the bowling alley).

B&N.com: Don't you get cold running around in just your underwear?

CU: Nope. Wedgie Power keeps me warm!

B&N.com: Do you have any advice for kids who would like to join in your fight for "Truth, Justice, and all that is Pre-Shrunk and Cottony"?

CU: Yes. See my answer to your second question.

B&N.com: Well, thank you, Captain Underpants. I know you have plenty of bad guys to catch and millions of other things to do, so I'll keep this brief...er...short and just say that it's been a pleasure meeting you—and that you're an inspiration to everybody who wears underpants!

From the Publisher

Professor Pippy P. Poopypants may be the greatest scientific genius the world has ever known. Unfortunately, he has such a silly name that nobody takes him seriously! He's been laughed out of every major university in the world. In fact, the only place that'll hire him is Jerome Horwitz Elementary School. Hopefully, nobody at the school will laugh at his name (or make a comic book about him).... Because if just one more person makes fun of Poopypants, it might just drive him Off the Deep End!

Children's Literature

George and Harold like to play pranks. It livens things up at school. Unfortunately, the jokes sometimes get them into a lot of trouble. When Professor P. Poopypants becomes the new science teacher, they almost cause the entire planet to be taken over by a mad scientist in a giant robot suit. Who will stop the perilous plot? Captain Underpants, the boys' principal who becomes a gigantic baby turned superhero at the snap of their finger. Zany humor and fun illustrations abound in this fourth adventure of Captain Underpants. Mad from everyone laughing at his silly name, Professor Poopypants uses his scientific inventions to shrink everyone, forcing them to change their names to be as silly as his. Funny, creative, and somewhat irreverent, you'll laugh out loud and have fun finding your new names as you flip through the action filled pages. If you are easily offended, you may want to pass on reading it with your child. 2000, Scholastic, Ages 7 to 10, $3.99. Reviewer: Dia L. Michels

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Pilkey again features the absurd faculty members of Jerome Horwitz Elementary School and introduces a new science teacher when troublemakers George and Harold drive Mr. Fyde into retirement. Professor Pippy P. Poopypants is a great, but frustrated scientist whom no one takes seriously because of his name. He is certain that the "sweet, innocent" children won't laugh at his unusual appellation. Needless to say, they do, and in so doing, incur a wrath that only Captain Underpants can tame. With its bathroom humor, madcap pranks, gross adventures, mini-comic strips, and flip-book pages, this rollicking laugh-out-loud cartoon story is certain to be a hit, especially with reluctant readers.-Sharon McNeil, Los Angeles County Office of Education Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

• Table of Contents
• Interviews & Essays

Table of Contents

Interviews & Essays