Author and illustrator Dav Pilkey has straightforwardly and very simply presented without ado in "Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot," the latest book series in his popular children's book that one of the protagonists is gay.

In the newest book in the bestselling saga, George and Harold become the young inventors of "the greatest superhero in the history of their elementary school" and there they get to come face to face with their future selves and saw where they will be years later.

"Soon, everyone had gathered together in Old George's studio. Old George, his wife, and their kids, Meena and Nik, sat on the couch, while Old Harold, his husband and their twins, Owen and Kei, plopped down in the giant beanbag chair," Pilkey wrote as quoted by Bustle.

According to The Guardian, "Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot" was met with rave reviews and controversies when it first released on Aug 25. In fact, some even wanted the book as far away from kids as possible. But Pilkey had this to say in an article he wrote for the aforementioned publication.

"People often ask me how I'd want to respond to those critics who would rather see my books pulled from shelves than handed to young readers. I do have an answer, and it boils down to the fact that not every book is right for every person. Some grownups are not amused by the kinds of things that make most children laugh and so they try to stomp those things out," he continued.

"I understand that people are entitled to their own opinions about books, but it should be just that: a difference of opinion. All that's required is a simple change. Instead of saying 'I don't think children should read this book,' just add a single word: 'I don't think my children should read this book,'" he added.

For Steven Frank of New Now Next, the revelation about Harold being gay is a "big (stinky) step forward" at least for children's literature. He thinks that how Pilkey matter-of-factly he did it is "incredibly rare and refreshing" and is somewhat of a breakthrough in the genre.

As per Bustle, the "Captain Underpants" book series was often the subject of ban for its "offensive language," "violence" and being inappropriate for the age group it is being targeted in. But a dozen books later, the series has sold 70 million copies across the globe.