Captain Underpants

[Vanessa]

I'd read that the new Captain Underpants adventure, The Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers, was due for release on December 30th, 2008. However, no sign of it, and when I checked Amazon.com a few minutes ago, the title appeared to have been completely removed. Similarly, I know Dav Pilkey was palnning 2 new Ricky Riccota books (The Naughty Nightcrawlers from Neptune and the Unpleasant Penguins of Pluto) as well as a Super Diaper Baby sequel, but no sign of them either. Anyone with any information on why there are no sign of these books, and why Pilkey's website hasn't been updated for a long time? Thanks in advance.

[Vanessa]

Thanks! At least my son (and I) aren't the only ones desperate for Tippy Tinkletrousers to come out already!

[Ronda]

Dang it. Now I too am anxious for Tippy Tinkletrousers to make an appearance. I just hope I don't refer to "a new Capt. Underpants book" to my students--b/c then I'll get 30 questions a day--"Is it here? Is it here? Is it here?" :D

[☼Bookish]

May 29th -- just in time for Summer!!!!!

[Julie]

Dav Pikley wrote another book. The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future

This is a story about two caveboys. The story is set up like it is told by George and Harold from the Captain Underpants series. As someone who read The Captain Underpants books, I found this to be a funny reminder.

[QNPoohBear]

Julie wrote: "Dav Pikley wrote another book. The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future

This is a story about two caveboys. The story is set up like it is told by George and ..."

This one has now been pulled by Scholastic for passive racism. I haven't read this book but my nephew enjoys Dogman and I think he has at least one Captain Underpants. I don't know if he's read Ook and Gluk.

The MSN story from Today says
"Scholastic has made the decision to pull Dav Pilkey’s 2010 graphic novel The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future due to its perpetuation of "passive racism."

In a statement released by Scholastic, the publishing company stated that it stopped the distribution of the title.
“On Monday, March 22, 2021, with the full support of Dav Pilkey, Scholastic halted distribution of the 2010 book 'The Adventures of Ook and Gluk.' Together, we recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism.

There's an apology from the author and donations to charity mentioned.

Nephew has already been exposed to racist "jokes" and been told he has "Chinese cheeks" so I'm not going to complain too much about this one being banned.

[Cheryl , Newbery Club host]

It just seems odd to me that Pilkey's was a best seller, has been around for ten years, and only now someone is complaining?

Honestly, censorship is censorship, imo. Those who want to ban Blume will justly accuse these as examples of hypocrites at work.

[Manybooks]

Getting so sick of authors being bullied by publishers and publishers also likely being bullied by so called activists and special interest groups. Like Cheryl says, censorship is censorship!

[Manybooks]

It also seems that Scholastic is being very heavy handed with The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future. Not only is Scholastic demanding that any unsold stock be returned, they are supposedly also asking school boards and libraries to remove the book and might even be asking for the book to no longer be sold used, and I do think the latter and how actively Scholastic is engaging in what can only be called direct censorship is dangerous and undemocratic.

[QNPoohBear]

Manybooks wrote: "It also seems that Scholastic is being very heavy handed with The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future. Not only is Scholastic demanding that any unsold stock ..."

Well that's just ridiculous. The Captain Underpants series has been on the "protect the children" banned and challenged list but remains on the shelves. I hope this spin-off goes into special collections where it will be seen in context as a product of our time instead of being completely cancelled from existence. I forgot to ask if nephew has this one. Or more precisely, he didn't stop moving long enough to ask. My library system still has it. I'm requesting it for him in case they come over again soon. Lots of celebrations this month.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Cheryl wrote: "It just seems odd to me that Pilkey's was a best seller, has been around for ten years, and only now someone is complaining?."

Agreed. I've never read the Captain Underpants series so I can't speak to the book itself but I'm concerned that this is setting a dangerous precedent. It's as if they are trying to pretend that these books were never written, published, or (widely) read!

I haven't been able to see what is being deemed offensive in this book. An article I read said that "The graphic novel about a group of friends who save the world using kung fu actually was “intended to showcase diversity, equality and non-violent conflict resolution” but it ultimately backfired [said Pilkey]" I can think of SO many movies and books that have stereotypes about kung-fu and appropriate Asian martial arts and culture. (For example, our neighbor kid loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and this has been a huge franchise since I was a kid.) I'm not saying that some of these representations aren't problematic but I don't understand why some are singled out like this while others continue to have wide readership/viewership. (And, of course, as you say, the censorship is disturbing!)

I hope that the publishing industry will continue to see greater diversity and representation going forward but I don't see how removing anything potentially insensitive with books published in years past is helping -- if anything, it seems to be giving these books wider readership if the long list of holds for the scrutinized Dr Seuss books at my local library is any indication. Not saying people shouldn't check them out (I'm on the list for one myself) but so many #OwnVoices books sit on the shelves while these "banned" books are the ones making headlines. It just seems like it would be so much better if the media focused on what #OwnVoices authors are doing RIGHT right now and those were the books more families are hearing about and sharing with their children.

[Manybooks]

Kathryn wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "It just seems odd to me that Pilkey's was a best seller, has been around for ten years, and only now someone is complaining?."

Agreed. I've never read the Captain Underpants series ..."

But often it is the so called activists who are making the fuss and also wanting the media to focus on the so called questionable content, instead of focussing on books written in “own voices” which would make so much more sense.

And furthermore, the Captain Underpants offshoot book was supposedly removed from publication because of ONE letter of protest Scholastic received and that certainly is not acceptable in my opinion.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Manybooks wrote: "But often it is the so called activists who are making the fuss and also wanting the media to focus on the so called questionable content, instead of focussing on books written in “own voices” which would make so much more sense.."

Yes, exactly.

And, that is remarkable that this book was pulled because of ONE letter! Oh my goodness!

[Manybooks]

Kathryn wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "But often it is the so called activists who are making the fuss and also wanting the media to focus on the so called questionable content, instead of focussing on books written in..."

That is what I read, so I am not totally certain but books have been pulled and/or altered before because of one or two complaints.

[Beverly, Miscellaneous Club host]

Manybooks wrote: "but books have been pulled and/or altered before because of one or two complaints...."

Which is ridiculous, because there were many complaints about In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak because of the naked little boy, but that book has never been pulled from publication.

[Manybooks]

Beverly wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "but books have been pulled and/or altered before because of one or two complaints...."

Which is ridiculous, because there were many complaints about [book:In the Night Kitchen|95..."

Good point, and I hope this will not give other book banners more ideas, namely, just contact the publisher and make a fuss.

[QNPoohBear]

It wasn't one letter-it was a change.org petition. I don't know how many signatures it had but it must have been a lot.

I flipped through the book and saw one chapter about Kung Fu and nothing stood out at me from what I skimmed. I plan to give it a good look later.

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "It wasn't one letter-it was a change.org petition. I don't know how many signatures it had but it must have been a lot.

I flipped through the book and saw one chapter about Kung Fu and nothing st..."

I still would like to know how much say Dav Pilkey had here or if he was strong armed (bullied) by Scholastic. And if the latter were the case, that would not at all be acceptable but also not likely something we could easily change.

[QNPoohBear]

I finally read The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future and good gracious is there a lot to object to from the standpoint of an adult. However, I believe the story is satire- a spoof on classic sci-fi movies like Godzilla and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. It has the same feel as Bill & Ted.

What I hated most about this book is the Cave Man speak. How is a kid supposed to learn to spell and read if they're reading this stuff?

Things people could be objecting to on my list do not include Mr. Wong and the Kung Fu section. My brother took Kung Fu and his son was supposed to start lessons this year too - Father-Son Kung Fu time. The illustrations are perhaps what this father objected to. The Asian characters are drawn with lines for eyes YET none of the characters have realistic eyes!!! The villain has sort of half moon shaped eyes and the two boys have dots for eyes. Mr. Wong wears a traditional robe and they eat with chopsticks. Mr. Wong teaches Ook and Gluk lessons in a Mr. Miagi sort of way. I suppose Mr. Miagi is about to be cancelled too if anyone even watches the original Karate Kid anymore. Mr. Wong is very wise and philosophical.

WAY more objectionable is the cave man culture. In 500,001 BC Caveland, Ohio the boys wear animal skin dresses and the GIRL wears a shell bra and grass skirt. I don't hear Hawaiians complaining.

Gluk has an Afro hairstyle and after 7 years with Mr. Wong becomes a man with a 70s 'stache.

ALSO more objectionable is the slavery plot with a dialogue bubble from Gluk "Let my people go and stuff."

The future villian J.P. Goppernopper has light hair in a wave, wears a suit and is about big business that pollutes the environment.

Crude jokes

violence/laser gun violence

Lan Wong falls in love with Ook in a very silly, passive way.

The Change.org petition is http://chng.it/jhr4YQgbzC

"Upon close inspection, I realized the book relied upon multiple instances of racist imagery and stereotypical tropes, including a "Kung Fu master" wearing what's purported to be a traditional-style Tang coat, dashes for eyes for the Asian characters, stereotypical Chinese proverbs, and a storyline that has the Kung Fu master rescued by the non-Asian protagonists using their Kung Fu skills (despite the fact that they were taught said skills from the supposed master)."

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "I finally read The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung Fu Cavemen from the Future and good gracious is there a lot to object to from the standpoint of an adult. However, I believe the s..."

Sounds a bit like the early Tintin graphic novels, inappropriate, objectionable but still NOT a reason for censorship in my opinion.

[QNPoohBear]

I don't see any reason to suppress the book either even though I don't want my nephew reading it. I'm pretty sure it's meant to be satire. I've seen and read a lot worse racist content in books.

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "I don't see any reason to suppress the book either even though I don't want my nephew reading it. I'm pretty sure it's meant to be satire. I've seen and read a lot worse racist content in books."

Satire is not always all that easily understood by younger readers.

[QNPoohBear]

Manybooks wrote: "
Satire is not always all that easily understood by younger readers."

In this case though, it's pretty much spelled out. The story is told by George Beard and Harold Hutchins, the creators of Captain Underpants. (as in the characters from the stories). There's a Scientific Disclaimer at the beginning written by a "scientist" stating "This book may contain scientific errors and stuff. For example, dinosaurs and cavemen did not live at the same time. Dinosaurs lived more than 64 MILLION years before cavemen. "

That tells me that the reader shouldn't take the book too seriously and enjoy it for what it is. It's a story about time traveling cavemen for goodness sakes!

His partner is Asian and didn't see the content as racist. The author and publisher issued an apology, took action and I don't see a reason to recall all the books already in circulation.

Found on Debbie Reese's blog:
Sayuri Pilkey said..
The head of We Need Diverse Books, Ellen Oh, loved the book. Dav had 2 Asian editors working on the book. In this long period of almost 11 years, not one person had brought up the passive racism against Asians to Dav or to me. This is the problem. No one noticed until now. Other than intentional misspellings, what are other problems you see in the book? It's a perfect time to continue this dialogue. Again, Dav and I have continued to support organizations for change long BEFORE any of this happened. Dav gave all of his earnings to several organizations in the past. He isn't looking for publicity. We hope we can continue to discuss and learn and grow. Thank you for the work you do for children's literature. Sayuri Pilkey (Dav Pilkey's business manager and partner)

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "
Satire is not always all that easily understood by younger readers."

In this case though, it's pretty much spelled out. The story is told by George Beard and Harold Hutchins, th..."

So a few nasties who feel offended end up getting the book banned!

[QNPoohBear]

The nasties threatened Scholastic's reputation you see... Scholastic must uphold their reputation so apology, donations and banned book. I returned to the library. I'm sure my nephew already looked at it.

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "The nasties threatened Scholastic's reputation you see... Scholastic must uphold their reputation so apology, donations and banned book. I returned to the library. I'm sure my nephew already looked..."

And I guess it makes sense that for a large conglomerate like Scholastic, reputation is everything. But banning books is also a good way to tarnish Scholastic’s reputation.