The Stupids Step Out

The Stupids #1

by Harry Allard, James Marshall (Illustrator)

The Stupids and their dog, Kitty, have a fun-filled day doing ridiculous things.

Genres: Picture Books, Banned Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Family, Challenged Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 1974

About the author

Harry Allard was an American writer of children's books. Many of his books have received awards; a few have also been banned and challenged in the United States.

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly book; it’s intended to be silly; does it succeed?

Author Allard wrote this book fifty years ago. With the able assistance of illustrator, James Marshall, it entertained my children during their early reading years. I recently got the book from our local library to see whether this would carryover to the next generation.

My seven-year-old granddaughter and I sat down for a read together. There were only a few words such as “petunia” that challenged her. She seemed to enjoy the silliness of names such as their dog, “Kitty.” Her favorite scene was when the whole family decided to take a bath together in their clothes.

When finished, she said that it could go back to the library. There was no need to read it again.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In recent years, I found out that my mom totally hated this book. But she did a really good job of keep that secret! Sorry I made you read it so much, Mom.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Calling all Stupids!" Stanley shouted.
Mrs. Stupid, Buster Stupid, Petunia Stupid, and the Stupid's wonderful dog Kitty all crawled out from under the rug.
"The Stupids are stepping out today," said Stanley
. . .
"Let's go upstairs and get ready," said Mrs. Stupid
The two Stupid children climbed onto the banister.
"Up we go!" squealed Petunia.
They did not move. They wondered why.

...........................
Above is just a taste of this Stupid adventure. While I can't rate it 5 stars and call it "Amazing", this Stupid story continues to humor me and I continue to pick it up, smile, chuckle and then do it all again several months later. After reading this today, I requested the two Stupid follow-up books from the library: The Stupids Have A Ball and The Stupids Die. I look forward to seeing this Stupid Family in these other Stupid books.
------

2012 re-reading - here is another fun passage to share - Meeting Grandma and Grandpa Stupid:

"Where's Grandmother Stupid?" asked Petunia.

"Where she always is," said her grandfather.

"She's in the closet."

"Hello children," Grandmother sang out through the keyhole. "How nice of you to come and see me."

It was a lovely visit.

"We must be off now," said Stanley.

"Come again," said Grandfather Stupid at the door, "whoever you are."
-Pg 20 of The Stupids Step Out

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a stupid book; I feel "stupider" for having read it. I am convinced that my students would find it much easier to channel the Stupid within after reading this book. Recommended for those not easily offended by stupid words or actions.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG. I know, I'm supposed to hate these books because they're "mean".
These books are so hilarious...I was crying as I read them again. I shared them with a few sixth graders who also laughed their tails off. So funny.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole Stupids series is divine comedy!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read this book the radical puns blew my tiny mind. It was right around the time when my mom and dad bought a new washer and drier. Well, needless to say, the pun about calling George Washington "General George Washing Machine" that I learned from this text was put to use in fine form. I got permission from my mom to use some white sticker labels,on which I wrote "Hello, My name is General George Washing Machine" and then I stuck them across the from of our new appliance. Suh-weet.

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many good books out there to waste a child's time with this one. It's silly, but most kids probably won't get the jokes unless they are pointed out.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty funny, listening to Squirt read this aloud. Oh how he loved being able to say the word STUPID really loud without getting into trouble. He couldn't get over the silly things they did - "Why? Why would they do that, Mom?" And I was able to reply, accurately, "Because they're the Stupids, and that's how they do things." It made me realize again, like the book "This is a ball" (by Beck and Matt Stanton) did, how kids love to set things straight, to feel they know something that someone else doesn't. If anything, Squirt felt quite superior about not saying the "S word" in real life. And he wanted to read more. So he could say it more where it wasn't offensive.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I first read this as an adult.

The illustrations were nice and appropriate
and attractive.

I just did not like this book at all.

I know that a lot of people like this
book and I guess that a lot of younger
kids would find it amusing.

Chacun a son gout.

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a very quirky, unusual book, but a good introductory volume to a funny series of stories by Harry Allard. I've seen the movie based on these books (starring Tom Arnold, Bug Hall, et el), and found it interesting to note the differences and similarites between the movie and book. The Stupids Step Out will likely hold its greatest appeal for very young early readers, especially boys, as is the case with these stories when they are made a part of the plot in Katherine Paterson's novel, The Same Stuff as Stars.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is possible that I was unable to enjoy the book due to the name of the family. I realize that this is an "older" book but I still find it inappropriate and not humorous or playful.

I am a fan of James Marshall and his illustrations are fun and silly, not degrading and derogatory like the text.

[Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found these books back in the early 80's and read them to my kids often. We laughed over them a lot. It even became a joke when one of us did something stupid in public; The Ttupids go to dinner, or the Stupids do WalMart. My kids are now reading them to their kids.

[Andrea Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absurdity of this story and its illustrations have many times forced me to step back from the days tribulations and smile. A "reset button" for adults who will try to mindfully dedicate 10 mins to the book; a pure giggle-fest for children.

[Karen L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim & Linda thanks for giving us this book! We and our kids love it!!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still holds up and checked off four boxes for the Summer Challenge. That mashed potatoes/butterscotch sundae does not sound stupid.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh....eh....nah.

So, I read this because it's on the "banned" book list. And it's one of those books where, if I were in charge of library collections, I would not put the money out to purchase a copy, but I also remain dedicated to not removing books from library which are already on shelves.

The book is just...not very good, on its own. The entire premise is that the "Stupids" are really, really unintelligent, doing everything wrong, though being generally good-natured about it. Sadly, the humor is just not there, especially when compared to just about any other picture book of the last decade. And there is also the problem, only really coming into my consciousness in the last few years, that "stupid" should be considered a slur, making this book just about as offensive as if it was titled (and man, i can not figure out a way to type this that doesn't make me uncomfortable, so deal with the weird characters, please) "The R####deds Step Out." (That looks weird anyways, whatever.) In 1974, not so much an issue in language. Now, a BIG issue.

I imagine this book is going to none-too-slowly start disappearing from library collections. With so many new books to purchase and well-loved books to repair, I can see these books just disintegrate from their occasional use, until they're marked as too damaged to repair.

Such a weird feeling for me, opposing the banning of books, but also knowing that this book would be more a drain on the system than of any real use to anyone.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calling all stupids! Stanley Q. Stupid had an idea, the stupids were stepping out today. Before they step out they would need some washing. Petunia asked her mother why there was not any water in the bath? Her mother responds, "there is no water because our clothes will get wet". On this day out the stupids venture to their grandparents, eat mashed potato sundaes, and learn not to stare at others- whom are really themselves.

Stupids step out is a book to make you giggle, the story seems perfectly normal, parents teaching their children what to do and not do in public but The funny is in the illustrations! Marshall's pun- like illustrations show what the stupids are really doing in his iconic whimsical, 2 minute eye illustration style. Many readers question this series do to the fact their name is stupid. I however feel the name is perfectly suited to the characters not so street smart personalities. It adds to overall comedy of the stupids step out.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Stupids have been banned for lots of reasons. The most current reason is for the word “stupid”. Now is the family absurd? Yes. Is this done to illicit laughs? Yes. However, in 2022 society “stupid” would be considered a slur against neurodivergent individuals. Even before 2022 to call someone “stupid” would be an insult that was mean, vile, and hurtful. Do I think The Stupids books should be banned? No. One they are a product of their time (late 70’s) but also, they are making fun of themselves? Yes. In this particular volume, the Family stands in front a mirror store and says, “look at those funny-looking people” and tell their kids to not stare because it’s impolite. They are looking at themselves. You do not find this book in most public libraries anymore because their time has passed. But they represent positive movement in children’s literature with the passing of time.

[Rachael Humphries · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, I can see why this book would be considered a banned book- the name. The name of the book being 'The Stupids'. Right away I would only just imagine what elementary school kids comments would be about the title. As a teacher I would hope that they don't start calling their peers stupid because of the book. One part in the book it says "the two stupid children" which to me could imply something else by the eyes of a young reader. Besides the title and the name of the family being the Stupids, the book was cute and seemed like a normal children's book. There were funny images of a dog driving a car and there was an image of a grandma hiding in a closet that I think would be hilarious to young children. If it weren't for the name, I do feel like this book could be in a classroom setting.

[Tommy Novak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always loved the illustrations of James Marshall, and Harry Allard's story about a very "stupid" family is actually cleverly written. The characters are in the same silly vein as "Amelia Bedilia" in that they take things literally, they do things backwards (such as naming their dog "Kitty"), and they are just silly. I recently learned that this particular book on on the list of Banned Books because it "encourages kids to disobey parents and promotes calling people stupid." It didn't have that impact on me. I only remember it making me laugh hysterically. It's interesting to hear what other people deem as "offensive." Personally, I feel this is in the same kind of humor category as "Captain Underpants." The "experts" that write these lists need to lighten up.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

12/4/12 ** Okay...it had been a stressful day at school today, so I took 5 minutes at dismissal for some light-hearted, un-standards-related minutes for a nonsense read aloud. My fourth graders and I enjoyed some great groans together. The Stupids Step Out was the perfect antidote to a difficult math lesson. :)

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Considering the research that says that the self-efficacy of Native children is negatively impacted when seeing stereotypical images of American Indians, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.

In STUPIDS STEP OUT, the dog is shown in a headdress:

http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...

[Shannon Brasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading these books as a kid and loving the Stupid's. As an adult reader, I can see the humor in this book for children and see why it is so appealing. It is a silly book about a stupid family. I would not read this book to my class, but I would have it in my classroom library for reading for enjoyment.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not find this book amusing in the least. It's also not the kind of humor that I think would appeal to the kids in my library. Maybe it was a bigger hit with older generations of kids (published in 1974), but there are so many more hilarious picture books with which I would rather fill my shelves.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stupids are a hilarious family mostly because they aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. But the fun is not so much mean-spirited as it is ironic and goofy. The illustrations play a large role in the humor. Excellent for the easily bored.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I gave it 3 stars because it did make my son laugh a few times. He would comment on how some of the things they did were 'silly' rather than 'stupid.' I'd have to agree with him on that. Wearing a clown costume to bed is more silly than dumb.

[Rebekah Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was funny but it did have the word stupid in it a lot. I feel like it could almost teach other children to make fun of people who look different than themselves because the Stupid family makes fun of themselves when they look into the mirror.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Stupid family takes a day trip. Each page of text is mirrored by an illustration that shows the Stupid family doing what they do best. Great funny read aloud. Kids love pointing out the many ways the Stupids get things wrong.

Readalikes: Amelia Bedelia series, Dav Pilkey books

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One the Tice family grew up with. I loved having Kiersten read it. She had the perfect voices for the Stupid Family Antics.