Wedgieman to the Rescue (Step into Reading) by Harper Charise Mericle (2013-02-12) Paperback

Wedgieman

by Charise Mericle Harper

Following his debut in A Hero Is Born, our superhero continues on his mission to get children to eat their vegetables. Until he meets Bad Dude and his secret inventions, that is. Bad Dude has a plan; it's a bad plan. He wants to use his Make-Things-Disappear Machine to zap the playground and make it dematerialize—and then force all the children to work in the Bad Dude Factory! But have no fear, Wedgieman comes to the rescue and saves the day—and develops a new wedgie in the process that's called The Celery!Beginning readers (and their caregivers) will howl with delight over the ka-pow! humor and blam! illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Superheroes

Unknown Binding

First published February 12, 2013

Reviews

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

A very funny picture book that is sure to delight Captain Underpants fans.

In this second book about Wedgieman, there is an actual villain (Bad Dude), making it much more interesting than the first book in the series. I read the third book ( Wedgieman and the Big Bunny Trouble) first and was a little confused, but the whole wedgie at the end thing makes so much more sense now.

Very funny, nice illustrations. Overall, a good read.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fellow vegetarian and lover of green healthy goodness I can appreciate the efforts that Wedgieman goes to, not only to keep the town safe from evil but also to encourage healthy eating. Way to go Wedgieman! The world needs more like you.

Your kiddo's not ready for larger chapter books? Give the Wedgieman series a try before having them move on to Captain Underpants.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wedgieman to the Rescue is a level 3 easy reader from Random House’s Step into Reading series. In his second adventure, Veggieman (aka Wedgieman) comes up against Bad Dude, a villain keen on zapping the playground and forcing all the kids to work in his factory. Not only does Wedgieman come through to save the kids, but the kids give Bad Dude a toilet-themed nickname of his own.

I like Veggieman as a character, and I think the tone and illustrations of this book are spot-on for the target age group. Unfortunately, I think the assumption that kids are bad spellers, and that the only jokes they laugh at are related to underwear and poop, is a major weakness. Kids reading at this level know about the silent E at the end of certain words, and they would know better than to pronounce “dude” as “doodie.” I think the average child likes at least some vegetables, so trying to use toilet humor to make them more palatable doesn’t really work either. While Veggieman isn’t really an objectionable personality, I don’t understand why the hero of a children’s book is this man who lets kids bully him and call him names, and who seems to think so little of their intelligence. Odd choice.

Wedgieman to the Rescue might appeal to fans of the first book, but it’s not among Harper’s best. As an alternative superhero series, try Marvel’s Superhero Squad series

[Samantha Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is appropriate for Kindergarten to Third Grade. Wedgieman also known as Veggieman fights to stop crime and to make sure that children are eating their vegetables. Larry also known as Bad Dude has a secret hideout with lots of inventions. He has two goals for his Make-Things-Disappear Machine: to zap everything on the playground and make all the children work in his factory. As part one of his plan begins, Wedgieman hears the cries and comes to the rescue. Wedgieman won against Bad Dude.

Activities:
1) Why did Bad Dude want to use his invention against the playground?
2) What are the two main goals of Wedgieman?
3) After reading the book, I would have the students create a character and a problem that needs rescuing and have them write how the character would fix the problem.
4) Bad Dude wants to create havoc in the town. Why do you think he wants to be so evil?
5) I would have them draw what they think Wedgieman would look like.

Harper, C. (2013). Wedgieman to the Rescue. New York: Random House.

[Kira McGann · Rating 4 out of 5]

And now the further adventures of our super hero du jour, “Wedgieman,” continues in Harper’s second hilarious installment “Wedgieman to the Rescue.” Harper employs a rather quirky writing style, very reminiscent of Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series. In fact, my six-year-old son loved the pronunciation errors turned into jokes (i.e. “Wedgieman” for Veggieman and “Doodie” for Bad Dude) as well as the cool and stylish illustrations of the characters: Wedgieman, Larry “the Bad Dude,” and the children. We can’t wait to read the next installment.

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veggieman, known as Wedgieman to the kids in town, interrupts Bad Dude's evil plan to cause mayhem. Bad Dude wants to make playground equipment vanish with his Make-Things-Disappear machine so he can put the kids to work in the Bad Dude Factory! Wedgieman stops Bad Dude, gives everyone a healthy snack (celery), and, before taking Bad Dude to jail, gives himself a wedgie! Early readers will laugh out loud when they read this hilarious 2nd offering in Harper's 'Wedgieman' series.
Reviewer #19

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great kids book, perfect for younger readers. The Hero Wedgieman (Veggieman) thwarts the evil Bad Dude's plan to ruin the playground. Ends up giving the kids veggies and himself a Wedgie before putting Bad Dude in jail. The humor is spot on for the younger crowd and will encourage the young reader to keep on reading to see whats happening next.

This book was provided to me by the publisher via Edelweiss. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read the first Wedgieman book - so maybe that is the reason I wasn't feeling it. 2 stars for story, 4 for Bob Shea's illustrations.

[Samantha Hodge · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is just... stupid. Not even funny. Just stupid.

[Kim Heimbuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

May, 2013- Review coming soon to my new website and will also be posted here. www.musingwithcrayolakym.com

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy readers that are snarky funny with gross-out kid humor.

[Winnie DuBois]

Overwhelming stupid. Do not recommend to any child. Probably trying to capitalize on the Captain Underpants success. This is just dumb and insulting to any kid's intelligence.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good job, Bob! Good job, Charise! Wedgies for everybody!