The Ultimate Dav Pilkey Reading Guide: Before and After Dog Man

From classroom shelves, to movie theaters, to the Broadway stage, Dog Man is everywhere these days, and for good reason. If a kid you know can't get enough of Dog Man, you're not alone. 

Whether they're just discovering the part dog, part man, and all hero character or eagerly awaiting the next adventure, Dav Pilkey has an entire universe of books in addition to the Dog Man series, with something for every age and stage of reading.

From his first book in 1986 to the newest Dog Man book arriving this fall, Dav Pilkey has spent decades inspiring generations of kids become enthusiastic readers through humor, action, memorable characters, and stories that celebrate empathy, creativity, and friendship. Beyond Dog Man, families can explore everything from the wildly popular Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club series to early readers, chapter books, and heartwarming picture books.

Use this guide to find the best Dav Pilkey books for your child's age, interests, and reading stage.

Find the Right Dav Pilkey Books by Age

Ages 4-6: Picture Books & Early Readers

If your reader is eager to experience Dav Pilkey books, but not quite ready for Dog Man, get started with these beautiful picture books and early readers. 

Begin with The Paperboy, a Caldecott Honor-winning picture book that follows a young paperboy and his dog as they make their early-morning deliveries, capturing the beauty of a world just beginning to wake up. Thoughtful and calming, it's a wonderful choice for families looking to share a quieter story about responsibility, perseverance, and finding joy in everyday routines.

A collection of early reader books, the Dragon series stars a kindhearted dragon who navigates everyday childhood experiences in these short, sweet stories – everything from being a friend to tackling chores to caring for others. The books are published as part of Scholastic's Acorn line, which is designed specifically for children learning to read independently. The series uses simple text, short chapters, repetition, and full-color illustrations to help build reading confidence. Retaining Pilkey's signature humor and warmth, these books are perfect for emerging readers who are building confidence and independence.

Ages 6-8: Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot

The Ricky Ricotta series, written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Dan Santat, is an excellent bridge between early readers and longer independent reading. It's a great choice for families wondering what's next before more complex graphic novels and chapter books.

If your reader admires the action and humor of Dog Man, you can’t go wrong with Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot. The series follows a young mouse and his giant robot best friend as they team up to save Squeakyville from outrageous villains. Filled with fast-paced adventures, friendship, and laugh-out-loud moments, these highly illustrated books will keep developing readers locked in throughout.

Ages 7-10: Super Diaper Baby

Even the biggest Dav Pilkey fans may not know that The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby originated in the world of Captain Underpants. Written and illustrated as though it were created by George and Harold themselves, the series showcases the imaginative, kid-created stories that make the Captain Underpants books so beloved. 

First published in 2002 and now available in updated, full-color editions, these graphic novels follow Billy, a superpowered baby, and his trusty sidekick, Diaper Dog, on laugh-out-loud adventures. For readers who love the creative spirit of Dog Man, Super Diaper Baby offers a fascinating look at one of the earliest kid-made superheroes in the Pilkey universe, one that Dav has called, “one of my favorite superhero characters I've created.” 

And whether your reader is working their way up to Dog Man or racing through the latest release, here's every book in the Dog Man series so they don't miss a single adventure.

Ages 7-12: Captain Underpants & Cat Kid Comic Club

Looking for more adventures set in the worlds your child already loves? Two of Dav Pilkey's most popular series offer plenty of laughs and incredible warmth.

The Captain Underpants series introduces George and Harold, two prank-loving best friends whose homemade comic books accidentally bring their superhero creation, Captain Underpants, to life. Filled with wild antics and tons of imagination, the series helped establish Dav Pilkey as one of the most influential authors in children's publishing. Readers who love the kid-created creativity behind Dog Man will quickly recognize the same imaginative spirit that powers these adventures.

Fans can also discover a fresh take on the series with Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga. Reimagining the story that started it all, the book combines dynamic manga artwork by Japanese artist Motojiro, all-new Flip-O-Ramas, and a graphic novel format that reads from left to right. It's an exciting entry point for manga fans and a fun new way for longtime readers to experience the adventures of Captain Underpants.

For readers who can't get enough of Li'l Petey, the Cat Kid Comic Club series expands the Dog Man universe while encouraging creativity and a love of storytelling. Through comics created by the rambunctious frog siblings, readers explore different artistic styles and storytelling techniques while learning lessons about collaboration, resilience, creativity, and finding their unique voice.

Whether your reader is just beginning to read independently or racing through every new Dog Man release, Dav Pilkey offers books for every age, stage, and interest.

From the gentle humor of Dragon and The Paperboy to the action-packed adventures of Captain Underpants, Cat Kid Comic Club, and Super Diaper Baby, his stories continue to help generations of kids build confidence, creativity, and a “supa” love of reading.