Dav Pilkey, the celebrated author behind the iconic Captain Underpants series, has captivated a generation of young readers with the outlandish and heartwarming adventures of his unique hero, Dog Man. This beloved, part-canine, part-cop protagonist has inspired countless laughs and instilled a love for reading in children, especially those who might be considered reluctant readers. If your child devours every Dog Man book the moment it’s released and is constantly asking for “more Dog Man to read” while waiting for the next installment, you’ve come to the right place. We understand the magic of a good graphic novel, especially one that blends humor, action, and relatable characters. This list is curated to introduce you to 15 incredible book series that capture the same spirit, silliness, and engaging visual storytelling that makes Dog Man such a hit. These recommendations are perfect for keeping young minds entertained and nurturing a lifelong love for books, featuring themes and styles that fans of Dav Pilkey’s creations will instantly recognize and adore. Find more exciting stories to add to your reading list if you like dog man books.
What Makes a Book “Like Dog Man”?
Before diving into our top picks, let’s explore the key ingredients that make the Dog Man series so appealing and what we looked for in similar recommendations. Fans of Dog Man often love:
- Graphic Novel Format: The dynamic combination of text and vibrant illustrations makes these stories highly accessible and exciting.
- Laugh-Out-Loud Humor: Silly plots, goofy characters, and plenty of puns are a hallmark.
- Fast-Paced Adventure: Each book is packed with action, unexpected twists, and sometimes even supervillains.
- Heartwarming Themes: Despite the chaos, there are often underlying messages about friendship, courage, and doing the right thing.
- Relatable Characters (even if they’re animals or hybrids!): Kids connect with the emotions and struggles, even when presented in a fantastical setting.
These characteristics served as our guiding principles in selecting the fantastic series below, ensuring each one offers a delightful reading experience for Dog Man enthusiasts.
Our Top Picks for Fans of Dog Man
The Underdogs Series
Cover of The Underdogs Series, featuring a group of diverse dogs, including a detective dog in a trench coat, on an adventure.
by Kate Temple and Jol Temple, illustrated by Shiloh Gordon
For young readers who adore animals and a good mystery, The Underdogs Series is an absolute treat. This hilariously clever series features a team of canine (and one feline) detectives who tackle everything from art thieves to missing tennis balls. Your child will be in stitches as these persistent, albeit sometimes bumbling, investigators piece together clues in their own unique way. It’s a perfect blend of animal antics and crime-solving, echoing Dog Man’s commitment to justice with a dose of laugh-out-loud humor.
Real Pigeons Series
by Andrew McDonald, illustrated by Ben Wood
If the idea of everyday animals becoming unexpected heroes appeals to your child, the Real Pigeons Series is a must-read. This highly illustrated series follows Rock, a farm-dwelling pigeon, as he’s recruited to solve crimes in the bustling city. From tracking down missing breadcrumbs to recovering stolen jewels, these determined birds enthusiastically embrace every new challenge. With its engaging illustrations and quirky investigative tales, this series is guaranteed to captivate Dog Man lovers.
Steve L. McEvil Series
by Lucas Turnbloom
For kids who delight in superheroes, supervillains, and abundant humor, the Steve L. McEvil Series offers a riotous journey. Steve L. McEvil is an aspiring supervillain, eager to master the tricks of the trade. However, his sinister plans are constantly thwarted by other villains, often leading to Steve accidentally saving the world instead of conquering it. This series delivers the kind of unexpected heroism and comedic mishaps that Dog Man fans cherish.
The Terribles Series
by Travis Nichols
Dive into your monstrous side and head to Creep’s Cove with The Terribles Series, an island sanctuary for eerie creatures of every shape and size. Readers will follow the hilarious misadventures of young monsters as they navigate school life and get into all sorts of mischief. This “scary-cute” series is an ideal choice for kids who enjoy spooky themes balanced with humor, reminiscent of animated favorites like Hotel Transylvania, offering plenty of giggle-worthy stories.
Lunch Lady Series
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Meet the ultimate undercover hero in the Lunch Lady Series! The Breakfast Bunch — friends Hector, Terrence, and Dee — once speculated about their Lunch Lady’s mysterious life beyond the cafeteria, but they could never have imagined the truth: she’s a spatula-wielding superhero, serving up justice alongside her culinary creations. With her new assistants, the Breakfast Bunch, Lunch Lady is always on the case when something fishy is happening at school, making this a wonderfully quirky and action-packed series that Dog Man fans will love.
Max and the Midknights Series
by Lincoln Peirce
Max dreams of becoming a brave knight, a stark contrast to her expected path as a troubadour like her Uncle Budrick. Her chance comes when the villainous King Gastley captures Budrick, leaving Max to gather a group of kids, affectionately dubbed “the Midknights,” to embark on a rescue mission. This graphic novel series, Max and the Midknights, offers a delightfully silly and laugh-filled adventure set in the Middle Ages, perfect for those who appreciate Dog Man’s blend of heroism and humor.
Hilo Series
by Judd Winick
Dav Pilkey himself enthusiastically calls the Hilo Series “an action-packed page turner with heart!” And it’s easy to see why. The story centers on D.J. and Gina, two ordinary kids whose lives change forever when they befriend Hilo, a boy with extraordinary superpowers who crash-lands on Earth. Navigating robot monsters, mysterious portals, and the everyday annoyance of siblings, this nine-book graphic novel series is brimming with humor and adventure, ensuring your child will be absorbed for weeks.
Dragonbreath Series
by Ursula Vernon
So what if Danny Dragonbreath can’t actually breathe fire? He has a plethora of other talents, or at least, he thinks he does! While Danny might not be the most naturally gifted, he possesses an adventurous spirit and a loyal group of friends. Ursula Vernon, the talented and creative author, vividly brings Danny’s escapades to life through engaging text and charming comic book illustrations. This series perfectly captures the quirky character and spirited storytelling that fans of Dog Man appreciate, proving that you don’t need traditional superpowers to be a hero.
Comics Squad Series
by Various Authors and Illustrators
Why choose just one author when you can enjoy a whole squad of them? The Comics Squad Series is designed for kids who love multiple creative voices. Comics Squad: Recess!, the first book, is a side-splitting compilation of comics from celebrated talents like Jennifer and Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Dan Santat, Raina Telgemeier, and more. With awesome stories about essential kid concerns like recess, lunch, and detention, there’s something for everyone in this collection, making it a diverse and exciting choice for graphic novel enthusiasts.
Max Meow Series
by John Gallagher
In the hilarious Max Meow Series, a small orange cat named Max gains superpowers after accidentally eating a radioactive space meatball. This graphic novel series, a favorite among Dog Man fans, is packed with action, witty puns, and unexpected plot twists. Whether Max is thwarting a nationwide donut shortage or preventing alien pugs from conquering Earth, his adventures guarantee page-turning excitement. It’s an ideal choice for young readers who love superhero tales with a comedic flair.
Lucy and Andy Neanderthal Series
by Jeffrey Brown
For kids who appreciate a blend of humor and natural history, the Lucy and Andy Neanderthal Series is an absolute gem. This series follows the delightful adventures and mischief of Neanderthal siblings Lucy and Andy. Inspired by his visits to The Field Museum of Natural History, author Jeffrey Brown masterfully intertwines factual elements with laugh-out-loud fiction, enhanced by modern-day interludes where museum historians teach kids about life in the Stone Age. It’s an educational and entertaining journey perfect for inquisitive young minds.
Julius Zebra Series
by Gary Northfield
Imagine Madagascar meets Monty Python, and you have the essence of the goofy, madcap Julius Zebra Series. Join Julius Zebra and his friends Milus Lion and Cornelius Warthog as their lives take an unexpected turn. First, they are whisked away from the African savanna and forced into the clumsy world of gladiatorial combat. Then, during their journey home, a shipwreck leads them to the shores of Egypt, where they accidentally unleash a pharaoh’s curse. This series offers endless fun and games, cleverly interwoven with a surprising amount of sly world history, making it a unique and engaging read.
Ham Helsing Series
by Rich Moyer
Meet Ham Helsing, a little pig with a poetic soul who much prefers painting and writing to his family’s legacy of monster hunting. Yet, duty calls, and in this hilarious graphic novel series, Ham and his friends must bravely face vampires, ghosts, and haunted castles. These goofy books, brimming with heart-pounding action and laugh-out-loud moments, will keep Dog Man enthusiasts absolutely glued to the page. They deliver the same blend of quirky characters, adventure, and humor that makes Dav Pilkey’s series so beloved.
Story Pirates Series
by Story Pirates and Various Authors and Illustrators
The Story Pirates Series offers an extra layer of fun and inspiration: each story originates from a real kid’s idea, and the books are crafted to encourage more children to write their own imaginative tales. In Book 1, created by 11-year-old Vince Boberski, two scientists accidentally travel back to the Stone Age. As the plot unfolds, the Story Pirate Captain periodically appears to explain how a simple idea can blossom into an entire book. It’s a fantastic series that celebrates creativity and storytelling, connecting well with the imaginative spirit often sparked by Books Like Dog Man.
Middle School Bites Series
by Steven Banks, illustrated by Mark Fearing
As if the challenges of middle school weren’t daunting enough, imagine getting bitten by a vampire, a werewolf, and a zombie all on the day before sixth grade! This is Tom’s predicament in the Middle School Bites Series. Now the world’s only “Vam-Wolf-Zom,” Tom has a lot of supernatural kinks to work out. These scary-funny stories are filled with friendship, hijinks, and the unique struggles of navigating adolescence with a monstrous twist, making them a perfect read for kids who enjoy Dog Man’s blend of the absurd and the endearing.
Continue the Adventure!
Finding the perfect book to follow a beloved series like Dog Man can be a delightful journey, opening doors to new worlds and introducing incredible characters. Whether your child is drawn to animal heroes, crime-solving capers, or simply wants another story packed with illustrations and belly laughs, this list provides a wealth of options. These graphic novels are not only entertaining but also fantastic tools for fostering reading engagement, especially for those who thrive with visual storytelling.
We hope this curated selection helps you discover the next favorite book series for your young reader. Remember, the joy of reading is a gift, and finding stories that resonate with a child’s unique interests is key to nurturing that love. For more literary adventures, perhaps explore some personalized dog books for adults if you’re a parent who also loves canine-centric tales, or even discover some best books about dogs fiction to read aloud. After all, sharing stories is a wonderful way to bond, whether it’s with your child or even finding the best books to read to dogs as a comforting activity. Happy reading!
