With over 52 million copies sold in the U.S. alone, it's no secret that young readers are obsessed with Dog Man. But what happens after they finish the latest book in the series and a new installment isn't out until later this year? Fear not! We've got recommendations for book series that your kid will love (including two by Dav Pikey himself!).
Cat Kid Comic Club
One of the greatest things about Dav Pilkey’s books is that they’re not just creative storytelling; they also encourage kids to use their imagination and make their own art.
The Cat Kid Comic Club is a great example: the whole series revolves around L’il Petey, aka Cat Kid, and his friends Molly and Flippy's attempt to teach 21 "rambunctious, funny, and talented" baby frogs how to create their own comic books.
The series features a variety of art styles, plus Pilkey’s trademark potty humor and heart. Kids will learn that it’s OK to make mistakes, even as they absorb a mini art lesson in every volume.
Captain Underpants
Captain Underpants flew so Cat Kid could draw and Dog Man could fight crime. But the first in Pilkey’s interconnected series is the only one with a hypnotized school principal who wears white briefs and a cape and brings chaos in his wake.
Readers of all three series will find plenty of common threads: All feature creativity-inspiring components, such as "Flip-o-Rama" interactive animated action sequences, a focus on friendship and imagination, and some gloriously goofy characters. (Talking toilets, anyone?)
If you’re already a Captain Underpants fan, you’ll definitely want to check out the manga version featuring dynamic artwork by Japanese artist Motojiro and all-new Flip-O-Ramas.
Amulet
“A mysterious amulet opens the door to a beautiful but dangerous world of new friends, giant robots, and shadowy enemies.” That’s the premise of Kazu Kibuishi’s nine-volume fantasy series, Amulet, a riveting adventure full of mystery, magic, and twists.
After the death of their father, Emily and Navin Hayes move into their great-great-grandfather’s spooky old house. When a tentacle monster kidnaps their mother, the siblings discover a secret world called Alledia, where Emily wields a magic amulet to fight evil.
The Bad Guys
They sound like Bad Guys, they look like Bad Guys . . . and they even smell like Bad Guys. But Aaron Blabey’s crew of anthropomorphic villains is on a mission to change people’s perceptions and do some good.
Fans of Captain Underpants and Dog Man will love the adventures of The Bad Guys — Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark — as they struggle to help others (sometimes by using their criminal skills).
Mac B Spy Kid
If you believe Mac Barnett, being an author wasn’t his first career. No, his first career was as a spy, all the way back in the 1980s when he was just a kid. That’s right: Mac B was a spy for the Queen of England, and at her request, he traveled the world to track down the stolen Crown Jewels.
At least, that’s his story. Kids who love capers (and parents who love James Bond) will adore this graphic novel series.
Ready to add to your kids’ to-be-read pile? Search The Scholastic Store by grade and age, format and subject, or series and character.
