Comments on: Problem:Boys Don’t Like to Read Solution:Gross Out Books

By: Arpee

Arpee — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:21:59 +0000

No kids at my house yet but I’ll keep this in mind!

By: Raggedy Ann

Raggedy Ann — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:13:38 +0000

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

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:51:24 +0000

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.

By: Karina Worlton

Karina Worlton — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:15:04 +0000

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.

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:03:05 +0000

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!

By: bookroomreviews

bookroomreviews — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:59:31 +0000

ha ha, that is true, The article was prejudice against girls:)

By: J. Kaye

J. Kaye — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:29:09 +0000

Hey – I have a daughter who thinks that stuff is pretty darn cool too…lol!

By: bookroomreviews

bookroomreviews — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:22:01 +0000

I agree with all of you too! LOL Mary:) Guys are gross!

By: mary

mary — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:01:47 +0000

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.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:25:20 +0000

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!