Wedgieman: A Hero is Born

June 1, 2012
Captain Underpants he ain't. Although some may initially associate Harper and Shea's beginning reader with Pilkey's popular series, it falls short with a thin story and none of the master's clever sense of subversive, ribald humor. The titular hero starts as Veggiebaby, then becomes Veggieboy, then Veggieman, his growth and development attributed to his love of vegetables. He practices his superpowers as he grows, with text and art taking cheap shots at elderly women (as he lifts "a bus filled with chattering grandmas") and overweight people (as his X-ray vision enables him to see into a house where a rotund man stands, embarrassed and clad only in his underwear: "Some things are better not seen.") The book ends with Veggieman getting a new name from children who see a stick stuck to his shirt, making the V into a W, and dub him Wedgieman. "We don't care about spelling," they assure him when he objects that the word "wedgie" has a "d" and not a double "g." His new name is sealed when (in an odd turn of events that is, sadly, characteristic of the poorly executed text) he gives himself a wedgie. In what seems like a veritable golden age of beginning readers, perhaps some things are better not published. Or read. (Early reader. 5-7)

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September 1, 2012

K-Gr 2-In this "true" history of how a superhero named Veggieman became known as Wedgieman, Harper serves up a generous portion of humor that's sure to elicit giggles from the intended chapter-book audience. Veggiebaby progresses from a playful, bold vegetable-loving infant to a strong, scoutlike Veggieboy, and, finally, dressed in superhero regalia, he is Veggieman. In this final incarnation, he executes his most daring deed, rescuing a child stranded high in a tree. However, sticks from the tree adhere to his neon green shirt, making his "V" appear as a "W" and making way for the gag that drives the entire story. His young fans dub him Wedgieman, concluding this adventure and undoubtedly paving the way for subsequent ones. Parents will appreciate the healthy-eating pitch while children are eating up a nonsensical story that is perfect for newly independent readers.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.