With school about to resume in August, there is a great book series for parents who have elementary children. We all know how book reports remain in high demand throughout the school year. And sometimes making a child sit down and focus on a book in order to produce a report can be extremely challenging.

            Thankfully, there is a unique little book character by the name of Melvin Beederman, a third-grade superhero. Here’s how I learned about him: During the school year, I let two of my three boys sit at the kitchen table, while I prepare for dinner, and listen to them read these funny books to me. The Melvin Beederman book series includes stories that can engage both a child and parent in the right setting.

            Letting a child read a chapter or two from these series novels can produce incredible results. At first, I used to make my boys read to me in order to be sure that they were not skipping pages for a quick finish. Turning our attention to the Melvin Beederman books, however, provides entertainment, rather than a moment of obligation, for them and for myself.

            My kids actually laugh at what they read aloud because the storylines are so funny and told in the voice of a kid their age. I love how they express themselves as they read. Actually, I believe they are consumed by the stories to the point that they naturally express themselves. My responding laughter, I’m sure, adds to their pleasure of reading these books. So, instead of feeling like they are fulfilling a rigid duty, my boys actually realize that they are adding entertainment for me while I perform my own chore of cooking.

            There are a number of reasons why I like these Melvin Beederman books to the point that I hunt for them when a next part in the series is likely due for press. These books are tasteful, unlike several popular books for kids that like to depict overly grotesque illustrations while offering little to no language development. There is so much creativity that appeals to little readers in the seven series that have been published so far. There are hilarious plots that revolve around Melvin’s x-ray vision as well as his adventures fighting against such villains as the McNasty Brothers.

            My kids love the books because, quite simply, they are not boring. They like reading the flip side of superhero life. Reading a Batman, Superman, X-Men, or Spiderman book or comic wouldn’t exactly expose the hilarious moments that Melvin Beederman has to face as a hero. And my kids appreciate that fresh approach in a superhero story. Melvin’s age is another plus for them. They can relate to his story being in third grade while fighting crime with kid perspective.

I recommend this book for children from ages 7 and up. The series titles currently available are:  Curse Of The Bologna Sandwich, The Revenge Of The McNasty Brothers, The Grateful Fred, Terror In Tights, The Fake Cape Caper, Attack Of The Valley Girls, and Brotherhood Of The Traveling Underpants.