Some children’s books reach a level of popularity that transcends age. I saw it with Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, when suddenly I had first graders wanting to read about the hysterical exploits of a middle school slacker. And it has definitely happened with Dav Pilkey’s books. Kindergartners want Dog Man, Captain Underpants, Cat Kid Comic Club — and lots of tweens are right there with them.
For any children’s series to have this sort of age-range appeal (basically all of elementary school) is rare. As a result, it sometimes feels as if the entire children’s publishing industry is focused on bringing more books to market for Pilkey fans. Lucky readers. Here are a few recent kid-approved recommendations.
Cat Ninja
by Matthew Cody; illustrated by Yehudi Mercado
An unassuming house cat by day and a kung-fu crime fighter by night, Claude protects Metro City from a slew of animal baddies. Having made the unusual leap from an online ebook (on the Epic! platform) to a graphic novel in print, “Cat Ninja” leans into elements found in modern superhero comics: cinematic backdrops, cool tech, secret lairs. And like most of the books on this list, it’s the first in a series, giving new fans plenty to dig into. Year after year, Cat Ninja is one of the most popular series in my school library. (Ages 7 to 10)
Super Pancake
by Megan Wagner Lloyd; illustrated by Abhi Alwar
Kids will likely come to this graphic novel series for the breakfast food theme, and stay for the laughs and adventure. After accidentally ingesting some of the visiting scientist Prof. Egglentine Egg’s super serum at her school’s Career Day, Peggy Pancake realizes she has superpowers. When her friend (and wannabe sidekick) Luc Croissant is captured by the evil Dr. Breakfast Sandwich, Peggy must embrace her new role as Super Pancake to save him. (Ages 7 to 10)
Mayor Good Boy
by Dave Scheidt; illustrated by Miranda Harmon
Why has a fluffy white dog been elected mayor of Greenwood? It’s unclear. Thankfully, this graphic novel’s creators know that when the comedy is on point, readers are more than willing to go along for a wacky ride. The young siblings Abby and Aaron aid Mayor Good Boy in connecting with his constituents, which leads to lots of community-related high jinks. Kids love the envelope-pushing in Pilkey’s books, and this series shares that quality, via sly humor that produces surprise laugh-out-loud moments. (Ages 7 to 10)
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza
by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Shawn Harris
What began during the pandemic lockdown as a series of live comics by two friends has become one of the best graphic novel series in recent memory, full of the high-stakes hilarity Pilkey fans adore. When space rats begin eating away at the moon, the soon-to-be First Cat in Space is sent to stop them. He and a toenail-clipping robot named LOZ 4000 (who stowed away on First Cat’s spaceship) join forces with the Moon Queen on a dangerous journey to defeat the Rat King and save humanity. But when will First Cat eat that titular pizza? The satisfying conclusion is worth the wait. (Ages 8 to 12)
The 13-Story Treehouse: Monkey Mayhem!
by Andy Griffiths; illustrated by Terry Denton
An Aussie import for kids who relish the absurdity of Pilkey’s books. In this meta series, the author and illustrator are the main characters, desperate to deliver a new book to their demanding editor. The problem is, they live in a treehouse with 13 outrageous levels (a bowling ally! a shark tank!) that make it hard to get any work done. Monty Python-esque goofiness and abundant art (with the latest edition in full color) create an uproarious whole. (Ages 6 to 10)
Phoebe and Her Unicorn
by Dana Simpson
For something a bit different, we have this comics collection. When the self-centered unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils grants 9-year-old Phoebe one wish, the girl asks for Marigold to become her best friend. Through a series of vignettes, Phoebe and her magical pal navigate school, friendship troubles and piano lessons. Each page is a new comic strip, guaranteeing a steady stream of jokes and lots of small story arcs — an appealing alternative to the typical three-act structure of most books. (Ages 7 to 12)
InvestiGators
by John Patrick Green
When I’m faced with a Pilkey fan looking to branch out, this graphic novel is the first book I reach for. The BFF alligator duo of Mango and Brash don their tech-enhanced vests to go undercover and rescue a missing cupcake chef. The whirlwind plot is peppered with puns, and plays like a buddy-cop movie for the elementary set. If eight books aren’t enough, the spinoff series, Agents of S.U.I.T., continues the fun. (Ages 7 to 10)
Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero!
by Kara West; illustrated by Leeza Hernandez
When the self-proclaimed klutz Mia Macarooney receives a mysterious invitation to superhero school, she learns that her family has been hiding a super secret: Her flight attendant mom can really fly and her veterinarian dad can communicate with animals. Mia must harness her abilities and navigate a new school at the same time. Filled with black-and-white illustrations, this early chapter book series is perfect for emerging readers. (Ages 5 to 9)
Pizza and Taco: Who’s the Best?
by Stephen Shaskan
If the popularity of Scholastic’s Who Would Win? series is any indication, kids love a good one-on-one bout, and this is a matchup for the ages. Pizza and Taco are best friends, but both believe in their own superiority. After a number of fruitless attempts to determine who’s tops, the duo come to understand the things that are the best about each of them. A story told through simple dialogue between the characters, this graphic novel is a great option for the youngest Pilkey fans. (Ages 5 to 8)
Max Meow: Cat Crusader
by John Gallagher
While visiting his scientist best friend, Mindy Microbe, the feline content creator Max Meow nibbles a radioactive meatball from outer space, giving him superpowers. He becomes the Cat Crusader, keeping Kittyopolis safe. When the evil mouse Agent M and a cloaked Big Boss send their henchman robot to steal the meatball, Max flies into action. The technicolor twists and turns and cliffhanger chapter endings of this graphic novel will have readers racing to the end. (Ages 7 to 10)
Your Pal Fred
by Michael Rex
While some people focus negatively on the gross-out humor of Pilkey’s work (let’s be honest, those people are usually grown-ups), they often miss the fact that his books contain a lot of heart. Empathy and kindness, when presented without irony, can forge a deep connection with readers, as this graphic novel series by Rex also demonstrates. Fred, a humanoid toy robot from the past, awakens in a postapocalyptic present (part “Mad Max” Wasteland, part Tatooine) where everyone is wholly selfish. But Fred is a unifier; his mission is to bring two feuding warlords together and end the chaos. (Ages 7 to 10)
The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day
by Raúl the Third
What if “The Fantastic Four” was all about … Mexican barbershop culture? You’ve got to give credit to Raúl the Third for bringing this fresh theme to graphic-novel life in such an engaging way. The crime-fighting Snips (Casco, Patty, Letty, Nubes and Flealix the Dog) are the pride of Scissors City, but the Bad Buzz Boyz are out to change that, hoping to avenge a decades-old family feud. Each member of the Snips has a unique hair-themed superpower, and the text melds Spanish and English into something entirely unique. (Ages 7 to 10)
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