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Captain Pajamas: Defender of the Universe
Brian's Techno-Robotic-Alien-Communicator light is flashing! The aliens are on their way. Brian must save his annoying older sister and the entire universe. But how can one small boy defend the entire planet from being overtaken by aliens? By transforming into . . . CAPTAIN PAJAMAS, Defender of the Universe! Will Brian be able to save his sister and capture the alien invaders? And what does his trusty dog, Shadow, have to do with it all? Find out in this hilarious comic book style-story that will have all young superheroes rolling on the floor with laughter.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 26, 2000
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Whatley
127 books25 followersBruce jumped into the unknown world of picture books after a career in advertising as an Illustrator and art director working in London then Sydney. Since 1992 Bruce has written and/or illustrated over 80 children’s picture books. Though based in Australia his work is published internationally and in 2014 was included in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Exhibition.
His award winning titles include The Ugliest Dog in the World, Looking for Crabs, Detective Donut and the Wild Goose Chase, Diary of a Wombat, The Little Refugee, Flood, Fire, And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda and Cyclone.
His main inspiration has been his family, who feature in several of his earlier picture books, his wife Rosie Smith being co-author on many of his projects. He uses a variety of illustration medium including gouache, pen and ink, pencil, oils, watercolour and more recently CGI software. His aim is to entertain and surprise the reader with illustration styles that vary considerably depending on the text and the age group of his audience.
Bruce completed his PhD, in 2008 Left Hand Right Hand: implications of ambidextrous image making looking at the image making of the non-dominant hand discovering that in most people the ability to draw lies in using the ‘other’ hand. He has since illustrated 3 books with his non-dominant left hand.
Bruce is continually looking for new innovative ways to make images to tell his visual narratives.
His award winning titles include The Ugliest Dog in the World, Looking for Crabs, Detective Donut and the Wild Goose Chase, Diary of a Wombat, The Little Refugee, Flood, Fire, And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda and Cyclone.
His main inspiration has been his family, who feature in several of his earlier picture books, his wife Rosie Smith being co-author on many of his projects. He uses a variety of illustration medium including gouache, pen and ink, pencil, oils, watercolour and more recently CGI software. His aim is to entertain and surprise the reader with illustration styles that vary considerably depending on the text and the age group of his audience.
Bruce completed his PhD, in 2008 Left Hand Right Hand: implications of ambidextrous image making looking at the image making of the non-dominant hand discovering that in most people the ability to draw lies in using the ‘other’ hand. He has since illustrated 3 books with his non-dominant left hand.
Bruce is continually looking for new innovative ways to make images to tell his visual narratives.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 25, 2023
Just a fun book! Took me back to sleep overs when I was a kid - staying up and listening to each sound - sure it was a monster coming to get you! This would be a good sleep over book; read it and then have lots of fun as the kids listen for all the bumps in the night. Really liked the way this book brought back so many good memories.
March 1, 2018
Funny ending.
June 18, 2025
this was so cute and funny
March 8, 2017
Very cute! And the surprise ending really adds to the whole experience. Worth a read.
December 20, 2015
This story is told by wannabe Brian the superhero in this comic book style story. Brian, aka,"Captain pajamas - defender of the universe," wakes his older sister in trying to defend her and the universe from the aliens. Brian is convinced that there are aliens in their house. He and his sister tiptoe around the house whenever they hear a strange sound only to find out that each sound has a reason for the noises they hear. By the middle of thew story his sister is irritated and orders Brian to go back to bed. In the end Brian goes back to bed unaware of a three-eyed green creature eating in his bed. This comic book style story can be used in teaching sequencing of a story. It is a good lesson tool especially for children with learning disabilities as they can follow the illustrations in the story, and retell the sequence of events in the story, excellent presentation traits. Suitable for grades K - 3
October 1, 2012
Brian has a secret life just as Superman and Batman does, he is Captain Pajamas-Defender of the Universe! Captain Pajamas must save his sister from the alien invasion that is on the way, so he and his sidekick Shadow (his dog) go on an adventure and check out all the crazy sounds in the house. This book has humor, adventure and is written like a comic book.
July 8, 2009
A great hero book that I think kids will love for its storyline. Not the easiest one to do for a storytime with its comic-like format. But still one I can book talk. I loved the characters. And the ending was good, too.
March 22, 2013
This book is written like a comic book as you would expect a supper hero book to be. This a funny and enteresting book about a boy named Brian who tranforms into Captian Underpants and takes his dog Sidekick along with him to fight alian invasiions and other various crims.
April 1, 2013
This is a cute story drawn in a comic book type of way. Shows captain pajamas which is an ordinary boy helping is sister sneak away from the aliens. I really enjoyed the pictures and comic book feel.
September 1, 2014
I'm pretty sure you can only find this book used or at your library, but I recommend you make the effort to find and read it. It is the hilarious tale of a super boy and his super dog working hard to defend his sister form the aliens he believes are in his home.
February 6, 2008
Bianca loved, loved, loved this book.
May 2, 2008
this was a fun one to read - especially since carolines been into aliens lately
October 20, 2009
This is such a great book. My son enjoyed it so much he was "Captain Pajamas" for Halloween when he was 3.
April 7, 2010
So very cute & funny! Both boys LOVE this book, as do I! If your kid is into Super Heroes, they'll love this.
May 21, 2010
a good introduction to reading comics, fun style and cute story. Todd doesn't like so much but W loved it and i thought doing voices was fun for this book.
January 9, 2011
I did not love this book, but Henry did!
July 16, 2011
love the surprise ending
February 4, 2012
In the middle of the night, Brian transforms himself into Captain Pajamas, Defender of the Universe, to save his older sister Jessie from attacking aliens, but they are nowhere to be found.
December 9, 2012
I read this book during library time for pajama week at my school. (We did a pajama drive to donate to local shelters and group homes.) The kids (kinder, first, and second) liked the book.
July 26, 2016
My little toddler son loves Captain Pajamas! Make more!!
January 15, 2016
Not a fan of the illustration style but the text is quite funny. Reads like a sitcom.
January 28, 2016
This book was very well received at my Pajama Storytime! Great Story! I'm afraid they weren't impressed by the punchline ending, but they were laughing throughout.
November 29, 2010
Anything with adventures and super heroes are winners in this household!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews