Dav Pilkey, the celebrated creator behind the iconic Captain Underpants series, has also captivated young readers with the hilarious and heartwarming adventures of Dog Man, a protagonist who is part canine and part cop. If your child is eagerly awaiting the next installment of Dog Man’s escapades, or simply can’t get enough of highly illustrated, laugh-out-loud stories, this curated list offers fantastic alternatives. We’ve compiled a selection of books and series that promise engaging plots and vibrant illustrations, designed to keep both reluctant readers and adults thoroughly entertained. Finding books to read Dog Man or books similar to his adventures can keep them engaged for hours. These are titles the whole family can enjoy together, fostering a love for reading with every page turn.
The Underdogs Series
Cover of The Underdogs Series, featuring a group of dogs looking determined
Written by Kate Temple and Jol Temple and vibrantly illustrated by Shiloh Gordon, The Underdogs Series is a perfect pick for animal and mystery enthusiasts alike. This humorous series introduces a delightful team of canine detectives, joined by one clever cat, as they hilariously bungle their way through various investigations. Whether they’re on the trail of a cunning art thief or solving the baffling case of missing tennis balls, these amateur sleuths piece together clues with persistent and often comical flair. Kids will find themselves in stitches, laughing out loud as the endearing animal characters navigate each new, perplexing mystery with their unique brand of charm and chaos. These detective dogs offer endless fun for those looking for books with dog in the title that combine mystery with laughs.
Real Pigeons Series
Cover of Real Pigeons Series, showing several pigeons with superhero masks
Andrew McDonald’s Real Pigeons Series, with illustrations by Ben Wood, brings another highly entertaining and visually rich adventure to young readers. In this series, Rock, a farm-dwelling pigeon, is unexpectedly recruited to join a covert crime-fighting squad in the bustling city. From tracking down elusive breadcrumbs to recovering valuable stolen jewels, these determined birds enthusiastically embrace every new challenge with a blend of bravery and wit. The dynamic storytelling and engaging illustrations make this series an irresistible read for anyone who enjoys the action and humor found in Dog Man’s world. Children who love graphic novels and animal protagonists will quickly become fans of the Real Pigeons’ dedicated crime-fighting efforts, always with a touch of pigeon-esque charm.
Steve L. McEvil Series
Lucas Turnbloom’s Steve L. McEvil Series is tailor-made for kids who revel in tales of superheroes, quirky supervillains, and abundant humor. This series follows Steve L. McEvil, an aspiring supervillain who is diligently learning the intricacies of his chosen, nefarious trade. However, his attempts at villainy are constantly thwarted by other formidable antagonists, leading to a recurring comedic twist: instead of conquering the world, Steve often inadvertently ends up saving it. Each book in this uproarious series is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, making it a perfect match for readers who appreciate unexpected heroes and humorous misadventures. For readers who enjoy the superhero antics and quirky humor found in Dog Man books to read online, the Steve L. McEvil series delivers.
The Terribles Series
Dive into your monstrous side with Travis Nichols’ The Terribles Series, which transports readers to Creep’s Cove, a captivating island teeming with eerie creatures of every imaginable shape and size. This engaging series chronicles the humorous misadventures of young monsters as they navigate the challenges of elementary school and inevitably stumble into various forms of mischief. With its delightful blend of scary-cute characters and giggle-worthy narratives, The Terribles is an ideal choice for children who adore stories featuring supernatural beings, reminiscent of the fun in movies like Hotel Transylvania, and who eagerly await Halloween’s playful scares. The vibrant illustrations and relatable school-day antics, combined with a touch of the fantastical, make this series a wonderfully entertaining read for any young fan of monster-themed comedy.
Lunch Lady Series
Cover of Lunch Lady Series, featuring a superhero lunch lady with a spatula
Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady Series introduces the Breakfast Bunch—a trio of friends named Hector, Terrence, and Dee—who have always speculated about their Lunch Lady’s mysterious life beyond the school cafeteria. What they could never have anticipated, however, was the astonishing truth: their Lunch Lady is, in fact, a formidable, spatula-wielding superhero, always ready to serve justice! With her uncanny ability to detect when something “fishy” is happening at school, Lunch Lady is consistently on the case. In a thrilling turn of events, the Breakfast Bunch themselves become her new, eager superhero assistants, joining her in combating crime and ensuring fair play.
This action-packed graphic novel series is brimming with humor and unexpected twists, making it an absolute delight for readers who enjoy Dav Pilkey’s dynamic storytelling and quirky characters. The vibrant illustrations and fast-paced narratives keep young readers hooked, as they follow Lunch Lady and her assistants through a myriad of exciting, food-themed mysteries and heroic endeavors. Each adventure is a testament to the idea that heroes can come from the most unexpected places, proving that even a school cafeteria can be a launchpad for incredible feats of heroism.
Max and the Midknights Series
Cover of Max and the Midknights Series, showing Max and her knight friends
From the creative mind of Lincoln Peirce comes Max and the Midknights Series, a medieval adventure perfect for readers who love a good quest. Max, despite being expected to follow in her Uncle Budrick’s footsteps as a troubadour, secretly dreams of becoming a brave and honorable knight. Her chance to prove herself arrives when the villainous King Gastley takes Uncle Budrick captive. It’s then up to Max to gather a motley crew of kids, affectionately known as the Midknights, to embark on a daring rescue mission. This graphic novel series is a delightfully silly and laugh-filled journey set in the Middle Ages, offering a fresh take on classic knightly tales. For those seeking graphic novels filled with adventure and humor, similar to the engaging narratives often found in the read books online free Dog Man stories, Max and the Midknights offers a medieval twist.
Hilo Series
Judd Winick’s Hilo Series comes highly recommended by Dav Pilkey himself, who calls it “an action-packed page-turner with heart!” This fantastic graphic novel series centers around D.J. and Gina, two ordinary kids whose lives are turned upside down when they befriend Hilo, a mysterious boy with superpowers who crash-lands on Earth. Their adventures are anything but mundane, as they face off against formidable robot monsters, navigate enigmatic portals, and deal with the everyday annoyance of siblings. Spanning nine captivating books, the Hilo series masterfully blends humor and high-stakes adventure, ensuring that young readers will be engrossed for weeks as they follow the trio’s extraordinary exploits across dimensions.
Dragonbreath Series
Ursula Vernon’s Dragonbreath Series introduces Danny Dragonbreath, a young dragon who, despite his lineage, struggles with the rather significant inability to breathe fire. While Danny might not boast many conventional dragon talents, what he lacks in fiery breath, he makes up for with an indomitable sense of adventure and a loyal circle of friends. Vernon, a talented and creative author, brings Danny’s escapades vividly to life through engaging text interwoven with dynamic comic book-style illustrations. This series perfectly captures the spirit of resilience and friendship, proving that true heroism isn’t always about grand abilities, but about courage, camaraderie, and a good dose of humor.
Comics Squad Series
For readers who love variety and struggle to pick just one story, the Comics Squad Series is an ideal choice, offering a delightful compilation from multiple beloved authors and illustrators. The inaugural title in the series, Comics Squad: Recess!, is a laugh-out-loud anthology featuring contributions from a star-studded lineup including Jennifer and Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Dan Santat, Raina Telgemeier, Jeffrey Brown, Cece Bell, and many more. This collection ensures there’s something to captivate every young reader, as it delves into the supremely important aspects of a kid’s life: the joyous freedom of recess, the daily ritual of lunch, and the occasional, dreaded challenge of detention. Each comic offers a fresh perspective and unique artistic style, making for a truly engaging and diverse reading experience.
Max Meow Series
Cover of Max Meow Series, showing a superhero cat in action
John Gallagher’s Max Meow Series is an absolute hit with Dog Man fans, delivering a hilarious graphic novel adventure centered around Max, a small orange cat. Max’s ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when he consumes a radioactive space meatball, bestowing upon him incredible superpowers. From then on, his days are filled with heroic feats, whether he’s valiantly saving the world from an impending donut shortage or bravely thwarting alien pugs determined to conquer Earth. Max’s adventures are generously sprinkled with clever puns, exciting plot twists, and continuous page-turning action, ensuring that young readers are kept thoroughly entertained. This series perfectly blends fast-paced superhero action with abundant humor, making it a purr-fectly delightful read for anyone seeking a similar blend of fun and excitement to Dav Pilkey’s works.
Lucy and Andy Neanderthal Series
Jeffrey Brown’s Lucy and Andy Neanderthal Series is a fantastic option for kids who appreciate both humor and natural history. This engaging series chronicles the adventures and often comical mischief of Neanderthal siblings, Lucy and Andy. Inspired by his visits to The Field Museum of Natural History, Jeffrey Brown skillfully interweaves historical facts into laugh-out-loud fiction. The books also feature modern-day interludes where museum historians educate kids about daily life during the Stone Age, adding an educational yet entertaining layer. This blend of prehistoric antics and factual insights makes for a unique and enjoyable reading experience, perfect for curious minds.
Julius Zebra Series
Gary Northfield’s Julius Zebra Series is a wild, madcap adventure often described as Madagascar meets Monty Python, starring Julius Zebra and his eccentric friends, Milus Lion and Cornelius Warthog. Their escapades begin when they are unceremoniously whisked away from the serene African savanna and forced into the arena as clumsy gladiators. Their journey home is no less eventful: a shipwreck leaves them stranded on the shores of ancient Egypt, where they inadvertently unleash a pharaoh’s curse. This series is packed with fun and games, cleverly seasoned with a surprising amount of sly world history, making learning an unexpected and hilarious part of the adventure.
Ham Helsing Series
Rich Moyer’s Ham Helsing Series introduces a delightful contradiction: a little pig who yearns to spend his days painting and writing poetry but is fated to hunt monsters instead. This hilarious graphic novel series follows Ham and his brave companions as they confront formidable vampires, elusive ghosts, and navigate the treacherous halls of haunted castles. Each book is a treasure trove of goofy humor and heart-pounding action, guaranteed to keep Dog Man lovers utterly captivated. The series masterfully blends comedic elements with thrilling monster-hunting escapades, ensuring a continuous stream of laughs and excitement. It’s a perfect blend for those who appreciate a good monster story with a significant dose of witty charm and unexpected heroism.
Story Pirates Series
The Story Pirates Series offers an extra layer of fun and inspiration, as each captivating story is born from a real kid’s original idea. These books are cleverly designed not only to entertain but also to ignite the creative spark in more children, encouraging them to craft their own imaginative tall tales. In Book 1, titled Stuck in the Stone Age, a story originally conceived by 11-year-old Vince Boberski from Memphis, Tennessee, two scientists accidentally journey back to the prehistoric Stone Age. As the plot unfolds, the charismatic Story Pirate Captain makes timely appearances, sharing insights into how a single small idea can blossom into an entire, compelling book. This interactive and inspiring approach makes the series a unique and educational experience, perfectly blending adventure with a subtle lesson in creative writing.
Middle School Bites Series
As if the trials of middle school weren’t daunting enough, Steven Banks’ Middle School Bites Series, illustrated by Mark Fearing, introduces Tom, who experiences the ultimate bad luck: getting bitten by a vampire, a werewolf, and a zombie—all on the day before sixth grade. Now, Tom holds the unique and challenging distinction of being the only Vam-Wolf-Zom on Earth, a condition that comes with a myriad of kinks to work out. This series is a delightful whirlwind of friendship, hijinks, and scary-funny situations. It masterfully blends the supernatural with the relatable awkwardness of middle school life, creating stories that are both thrilling and humorous. Dog Man lovers will be glued to these pages, reveling in the laugh-out-loud moments and the heart-pounding action that defines Tom’s extraordinary, monstrous journey through adolescence.
From crime-fighting animals to aspiring supervillains, these titles offer the perfect blend of humor, adventure, and engaging illustrations that fans of Dog Man adore. Whether your child enjoys graphic novels, superhero antics, or laugh-out-loud mysteries, this list provides a wealth of new worlds to explore. Each series promises to keep young readers entertained and eager for the next chapter. Don’t forget to check out our related article on curious incident of the dog in the night time for more fantastic reads that celebrate the diverse world of children’s literature.
