Failed and not so failed children's books

Failed children's book titles are all over the web.
No doubt you've seen some of them.

"Daddy drinks because you cry"

"Pop goes the Hampster and other Microwave games"

"Mister Turtle meets the garbage disposal"
 

You get the idea.

But have you ever looked at some of the popular children's books,
that, unlike Mister Turtle, are alive and well? Like:

"Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman"

Followed or preceeded by:

"Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria
Ladies from Outer Space"

"The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby"

"Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets"

"The Captain Underpants' Extra-Crunchy Book O'Fun!"

"Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy"
 

An isolated case of wierdness or .......

Check out some of the plots young minds are feeding on:
 

"The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. 1990. Orchard. Ages 10-14.
"Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty,"
opens this thrilling tale of a proper young lady who changes when she gets caught up in a
mutiny. A top-notch adventure. A Newbery Honor book."

No nightmares there, well at least not until they fall asleep. But there's more:

"The mouse Lilly is one of the bravest, most flamboyant young females around.
She rescues her friends from bullies, teaches them how to do wheelies, and
always carries a loaded squirt gun. Everyone should meet her! "

Here's Lilly all grown up

"Tennessee-born Angelica Longrider, known as Swamp Angel, is a wonderfully
outlandish      addition to American tall tales. Building her first log cabin at age
two is just the beginning of her incredible career."

Or incredible bullshit.
 

"In order to earn her yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do, young JoJo must break
a board  with a flying side-kick.  With the help of her family, she masters her
fears and succeeds."

And we all know what kind of strong moral values Tae Kwon Do teaches (ahem).
 
 
 

"The Outside Dog, a charming beginning reader about a Puerto Rican girl who is
determined to have a dog, despite her grandfather's objections."

Yes, a charming basic reader on how to get what you what, dispite the objections
of your elders.
 

So the next time you're looking for something funny, disgusting, wierd, disturbing
etc. Try your local bookseller.