Problem:Boys Don’t Like to Read Solution:Gross Out Books
August 26, 2008 by bookroomreviews
Filed under General
There was a fabulous article in The Wall Street Journal
a few weeks ago about how difficult it is to get boys to read. I can certainly relate. My older son would not read anything until I bought him Captain Underpants. He devoured those books and would search endlessly at the library for any other book about booger, farting, or gore. A whole new slew of books have been coming out aimed and marketed for boys on these very subjects. What do you think about this phenomenon? Is this type of reading better than no reading at all?
I definitely think some is better than none, no matter how disgusting! If boys learn that reading is fun, they may branch off into other types of reading. The importance is in disassociating reading with work and school, at least in my opinion.
I think that the gross out books definitely get the boys reading more. Then, hopefully, they will move on to more challenging reads! Or, at least mingle the two genres! My son loved the Captain Underpants books and the humor definitely held his interest! One hardback edition came with a lovely electronic keychain that when you pushed the button, made a toilet flushing sound. Great for giggles!
HA HA! Guys are gross and their books are too. However I do believe that little boys reading gross books are better than little boys not reading at all. I think that they may grow up to read more (normal and not as gross) books.
I agree with all of you too! LOL Mary:) Guys are gross!
Hey – I have a daughter who thinks that stuff is pretty darn cool too…lol!
ha ha, that is true, The article was prejudice against girls:)
There are some pretty gross books out there- I have one on my shelf called The Gas We Pass… not sure when or how I acquired it but it makes my niece laugh like crazy!
My 12yo son just started school this week. Yesterday he came home and told me his history teacher was his favorite. When I asked why, he said, “Because he said ‘fart’ in class.”
Ok, looking past my own feelings (which fall in the ‘what a classy reason to like a teacher–not’ category), apparently such things are a huge part of boy mentality.
The issue isn’t whether or not they read gross-out books, but whether or not their parents teach them how to be appropriate with their gross-out mentality!! It’s one thing to read about it or to laugh about such things; it’s another altogether to wallow in it constantly. I have let my boys read Captain Underpants and the like, but I have never allowed them to burp without saying excuse me or to discuss gross stuff at the dinner table (or indeed, in my presence!! LOL!).
Perhaps reading books like this lets them indulge in juvenility (a word I made up?) and if they are taught well, then that’s all they will need of that.
At least I hope so.
Boys are going to tell the jokes and stories and snicker at the crudeness of their own bodies, so they may as well read about it as well. At leas they’ll be reading.
I’m also of the camp that it’s better to read “gross” than to not read at all.
My 7 year-old son did not go for Captain Underpants but he absolutely adores Geronimo Stilton (and so does his mom!)
Here from ICLW
No kids at my house yet but I’ll keep this in mind!