SpongeBob AirPants:

The Lost Episode

by
Kitty Richards

illustrated by
Heather Martinez

Scholastic, September 2003, 64 pp.
ISBN: 0-439-46392-0

Genre: Early Chapter
Subgenre: TV Tie-In / Cartoon
Reviewed: 5/5/2004

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

"I'd like to return this kite."

"Hey, I know you," said the clerk.

"Yeah," said a customer. "I saw you in today's paper."

SpongeBob had made the front page of the Bikini Bottom News. He squinted at the headline. "'LOCAL NUTCASE TIRES TO FLY,'" he read aloud.

SpongeBob reddened with anger. "I'm a nutcase because I follow my dreams?" He stabbed the air with his finger. "Well, they laughed at the guy who invented lightbulbs too."

"No, they didn't," replied the clerk.

SpongeBob looked momentarily defeated.

"You'll see," promised SpongeBob, making a fist. "I'll show everyone!"

Walking down the street, SpongeBob passed a little boy fish in a propeller beanie hat who was holding his mother's hand.

"Look, Mommy, it's the Birdman of Bikini Bottom," said the boy fish.

"Well, I wonder why he's still using his legs," scoffed the mom.

"C'mon, birdman," taunted the boy fish. "Flap your wings and fly."

He and his mom snickered.

Synopsis

For his first attempt, he and Patrick built a plane. It fell apart before he even got off the ground. For his second attempt, they built a bat suit, which, of course, failed too. His third attempt did get him into the air as SpongeBob attached himself to a kite while Patrick pulled him on his tricycle.

After being laughed at by all of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob went home defeated. The next day, after taking a shower, SpongeBob is using his hairdryer when the shell phone rings. SpongeBob gets mad when the prank called makes fun of him and he sticks the blow dryer in his pants.

When he goes to hang up the phone, he realizes that his pants have filled with hot air and his his flying. He is actually flying!

SpongeBob AirPants: the Lost Episode is a book based on the hit Nickelodeon animated television show called "SpongeBob SquarePants." This story is based on an episode that aired on television. This story is intended for early chapter book readers in 2nd to 3rd grade.

Review

Who doesn't love SpongeBob SquarePants? My 9-year old daughter absolutely loves him, and I also find him quite entertaining. Kitty Richards does a wonderful job in bringing SpongeBob to the written page.

The illustrations by Heather Martinez are very well done, even though they are only in black and white.

It is nice to see someone overcome all obstacles and achieve their dream. SpongeBob never gives up when he continues to fail to fly. This is a great lesson for all children. Reach for your dreams and let no failures stop you from obtaining your goal.

Overall, SpongeBob AirPants: the Lost Episode is a fun book for all and kids will love to read it.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.