Today’s book pick is Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, a full-color graphic novel for ages 6–9 from the creator of Captain Underpants. It is the first book in the Dog Man series, and it is packed with comics, jokes, and silly action that kids can finish in one sitting.
What Is Dog Man About?
The story is presented as a comic made by George and Harold, the two kid cartoonists from the Captain Underpants books. Their hero is Dog Man, a crime fighter who is part police officer and part police dog after a big accident. His archenemy is a cat named Petey, which leads to plenty of chases and chaos.
Why Kids Love Dog Man
The book is mostly comic panels with big, bright pictures and short bits of text, so the pages turn quickly. Pilkey adds goofy sound effects and Flip-O-Rama pages, where flipping a page back and forth makes the picture move. The humor is silly and slapstick, but the series also carries kind messages about bravery, kindness, and being true to yourself.
Who Is This Book Best For?
Library records list it for roughly ages 6–9 and grades 1–4, and some sources go up to age 10. Its graphic-novel Lexile is 390L, so it is a good fit for kids who are new to reading on their own, kids who find long chapters tiring, and kids who love comics. It also works as a funny read-aloud for a parent and child.
Talking About the Book Together
After reading, you can ask: What makes Dog Man a hero? Why do you think Petey causes so much trouble? If you and a friend made your own comic hero, what would he or she be like?
More Book Picks Like This
Want another funny, comic-style read? Try Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce or see all of our Book of the Day picks. You can also read children’s books online for free on Epic.
