When a kid discovers Dog Man for the first time, in that moment, all that matters is the book. To watch them hold it, turn the pages, and lose themselves in the story. It’s captivating.
It doesn’t have to begin with the first book in the series — there are currently 14 books in the collection with the next installment, Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time coming this November — but wherever they start, you can be sure your kid will go back and devour every book in the series.
So as we celebrate the epic 10th anniversary of the release of the first Dog Man book, here are 10 reasons why we love the books now more than ever!
Dog Man Boosts Reading Confidence
Nothing gives a new reader more confidence than the sense of accomplishment they get from finishing a book. For many emerging readers, the fast-paced Dog Man series feels more approachable than traditional chapter books, making it easier for them to stay engaged and read independently.
The Series Keeps Kids Coming Back for More
The Dog Man books never fail to make reading fun and joyful. Kids genuinely cannot wait to pick up an unread copy of the next book in the series. This helps grow healthy reading habits and a lifelong love of reading.
They Help Kids Develop Visual Literacy
The bright illustrations encourage children to pay attention to visual clues, facial expressions, sequencing, and context. For developing readers, having both pictures and text can support their understanding of the plot and how visual elements contribute to meaning.
It’s More Than Just Books
When it comes to Dog Man, kids are obsessed. There’s a movie, a musical, a video game, plushes, backpack buddies, a sticker book, a coloring book, a card game… and much more! There’s even a whole planet full of free fun games and activities. All of which can keep your little ones entertained (and learning!) for hours.
Dog Man Helps Kids Connect With Each Other
Sharing a common interest can help kids build friendships and strengthen social connections. Dog Man has been a hot topic on the playground for over a decade now, giving kids something fun to talk about, laugh about, and share with friends. Whether they're discussing their favorite characters or asking "why" like Li'l Petey, the beloved series has created a sense of community among young readers.
The Books Reinforce Social and Emotional Learning
Common themes throughout the book include friendship, empathy, forgiveness, kindness, and personal growth. Dog Man himself, for example, often unintentionally causes utter chaos. But his friends accept him for who he is, flaws and all.
The Dog Man Series Encourages Creativity
The Dog Man books don’t just inspire kids to read, but also to draw and write. The How-2-Draw sections at the back of the books make it easy for kids to follow step-by-step instructions and draw the characters. And once they’ve nailed that, they naturally want to create their own comic book stories.
Watch this video to discover the inspiration behind the characters of Dog Man and Li’l Petey. (Fun fact: Dav created Dog Man when he was a kid.)
Because They’re Really, Really, Really, Really Funny
From the flip-o-ramas and witty wordplay to the hilarious hijinks, the Dog Man books are funny. Like, big-belly-laughs-you-can-hear-from-the-other-room funny!
And humor matters: Scholastic research shows that humor in books is the top characteristic kids look for when making their reading selections. According to the 7th edition of the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, more than 50 percent of children say they look for books that make them laugh.
Dog Man Help Families Bond Through Reading
Many kids who can’t yet read independently enjoy the Dog Man books being read to them. This gives parents a wonderful opportunity to bond with their child, particularly when it comes to humor. Because, after all, you’re never too old to laugh at a great joke.
The Dog Man Series Inspires Kids Who Are Overcoming Real-Life Challenges
When he was in second grade, Dav Pilkey was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. Over the years, Pilkey has openly shared his experiences and how he used drawing and storytelling to cope. In fact, he’s even referred to his ADHD and dyslexia as his “superpowers,” helping him to choose his words carefully and write fast-paced stories. Today, millions of kids can relate to these challenges and aspire to find their own superpowers.
Shop the books in the Dog Man series below. You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.
