The Tyler Files by Brian Rock Review

Disclosure:  I was provided with a pdf copy of the book from the author in order to facilitate this review.  As always my reviews are my own or with the help of my children. Read Full Disclosure Policy Here

A few years ago my kids and I reviewed Brian Rock’s picture book Martian Mustache Mischief and had a lot of fun with its silliness.  Sometimes you just have to go with it.  When the author asked me to review his latest series titled The Tyler Files, of course, I said sure.  My understanding is that this book is the first in a series with the main character, Tyler, a fifth grader.

The premise is that Tyler’s pants begin talking to him one day at school.  And well you can imagine the kind of trouble a pair of pants eavesdropping on your conversations might have for a fifth grader.  Not only does his pants talk to him but they can also control his legs.  Instead of listening to the gym teacher his pants take him running in the opposite direction.  Oh boy!  Tyler’s pants will get him in trouble with the school bully of course and become problematic when he is talking to the girl he has a crush on.  Will his pants help him at all? A story about talking pants is filled with shenanigans and silliness and well as you can see below his pants can be pretty funny.

I had both my boys take a look at this book and it mostly appealed to my 9 year old son.  Mr. Yoda (9yearold) thought it was funny.  My 11 year old son, Mr. Black Licorice, said it was a little bit funny.  The illustrations, by Joshua Dawson, were a definite plus said both boys.  As a teacher and mother I liked that the author at the end of the book includes additional activities as add-ons.  Writing prompts, What if writing prompts, jokes about pants, 10 Fun Facts about Pants and studying idioms using the word pants of course.

I would recommend this book for boys between the ages of 6-10 years old because well if you have boys that age you know common topics daily often revolve around discussions of underwear, pants, farts, diarrhea, poop and pee.  Aside from the humour the reader also gets taken through a usual day for a fifth grader making it relevant to the reader. This book may appeal to reluctant boy readers in the same spirit of Captain Underpants, however, because of the jokes and complexity of the language sometimes it might be a problem for struggling readers who are not reading at grade level.  I definitely would love to hear the author Brian Rock read the book.

In case you want to do that please visit his author website – www.brianrock.net 

And prepare for The next book in the series called Hollow Weenie.  Don’t miss out on a ravenous hot dog on the loose in Tyler’s school…

ABOUT AUTHOR BRIAN ROCK:

Brian Rock is a children’s author and former school teacher who lives in Chesterfield, VA with his wife, daughter and of course, his many imaginary friends.

He has enjoyed writing stories since he was old enough to hold a no. 2 pencil. Although he was  once put out of class for writing too many stories, he went on to receive a  master’s degree in Creative Writing and Children’s Literature from Hollins University. Along the way, Brian has performed as a stand-up comic, worked as a “McCountant,” and written award winning country songs for his band Family Reunion. He also contributes blog posts to the Richmond Children’s Writers blog and Turnstyled, Junkpiled Americana music journal.

Brian’s other picture books include: DON’T PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD!, PIGGIES, WITH ALL MY HEART, and THE DEDUCTIVE DETECTIVE and Martian Mustache Mischief.

Visit his website for more information Brian Rock or his other social media sites.

Twitter   /  Facebook   /  Goodreads

Bonnie is an admitted book, planner, craft, coffee and chocoholic. She spends her free time buried in books or craft supplies. When she is not creating she loves helping other women find their creative centre. Former high school teacher now she is the creator and owner of Adalinc to Life Blog and Boutique.