Dav Pilkey, the beloved author and illustrator behind laugh-out-loud series like Dog Man and Captain Underpants, has captured the hearts of kids and adults alike with his quirky characters and side-splitting humor. If you’re wondering how to dive into his books or looking for the correct reading order, you’ve come to the right place! This guide lists all of Dav Pilkey’s books in order, focusing on his major series and standalone works, to help you navigate his whimsical world.
Why Read Dav Pilkey’s Books?
Dav Pilkey’s books are a treasure trove of humor, creativity, and heart. His stories, often packed with comic-style illustrations, reluctant readers find irresistible. From the superhero antics of Captain Underpants to the crime-fighting canine in Dog Man, Pilkey’s work promotes imagination, resilience, and the joy of reading. Plus, his books are perfect for kids aged 7–12, though their slapstick humor appeals to all ages!
Ready to embark on a Pilkey adventure? Below, we’ve organized his books by series and publication order, including key details to help you choose where to start.
Dav Pilkey’s Books in Order by Series
1. Captain Underpants Series
The Captain Underpants series follows two mischievous fourth-graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, who create a comic book superhero, Captain Underpants, that accidentally comes to life. Packed with flip-o-rama pages and silly antics, this series is a must-read for young fans of graphic novels.
Here’s the complete Captain Underpants series in order:
- The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)
George and Harold hypnotize their grumpy principal, Mr. Krupp, into becoming the waistband warrior, Captain Underpants. - Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (1999)
The boys face a toilet invasion in their school—yep, it’s as wild as it sounds! - Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (1999)
Aliens disguised as cafeteria ladies wreak havoc. - Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants (2000)
A villainous professor tries to force everyone to change their names to something ridiculous. - Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman (2001)
A wedgie-powered teacher threatens the school! - Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets (2003)
A booger-based villain causes chaos. - Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridiculous Robo-Boogers (2003)
The booger battle continues with robotic snot! - Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People (2006)
Evil doppelgängers from an alternate universe stir up trouble. - Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers (2012)
A time-traveling villain shakes things up. - Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers (2013)
Time travel and radioactive boxers—what’s not to love? - Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 (2014)
The toilets are back, and they’re flush with vengeance! - Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot (2015)
The epic finale introduces a smelly new villain.
Bonus: The Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book o’ Fun (2001) and The All-New Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book o’ Fun 2 (2002) are activity books with puzzles, comics, and more.
2. Dog Man Series
Dog Man, a spin-off from Captain Underpants, follows a half-dog, half-human police officer who fights crime with unwavering loyalty and a love for chasing squirrels. This graphic novel series is perfect for fans of action-packed, heartfelt stories.
Here’s the Dog Man series in order:
- Dog Man (2016)
Meet Dog Man, created when a dog and a police officer are surgically combined after an explosion. - Dog Man: Unleashed (2016)
Dog Man battles a mysterious cat burglar. - Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (2017)
A cloned kitten, Petey, causes double trouble. - Dog Man and Cat Kid (2017)
Dog Man teams up with a new sidekick to stop a movie-making menace. - Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas (2018)
A flea-powered villain threatens the city. - Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild (2018)
Dog Man is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. - Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls (2019)
Dog Man faces distractions while battling Petey’s evil plans. - Dog Man: Fetch-22 (2019)
A new villain, Fair Fairy, stirs up chaos. - Dog Man: Grime and Punishment (2020)
Dog Man tackles a new job and a criminal mastermind. - Dog Man: Mothering Heights (2021)
Love and teamwork save the day in this heartfelt installment. - Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (2023)
An underwater adventure with Piggy and the fleas. - Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder (2024)
Dog Man faces a radioactive threat and a shedding crisis. - Dog Man: Big Jim Begins (2024)
A prequel exploring Big Jim’s backstory and new challenges.
3. Cat Kid Comic Club Series
This spin-off from Dog Man follows Li’l Petey and his friends as they start a comic club, encouraging creativity and storytelling. It’s ideal for kids who love making their own comics!
- Cat Kid Comic Club (2020)
Li’l Petey teaches his friends how to make comics. - Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives (2021)
The club faces creative differences and learns about collaboration. - Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose (2022)
The group explores finding purpose through their comics. - Cat Kid Comic Club: Collaborations (2022)
Teamwork makes the dream work in this comic-filled adventure. - Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers (2023)
The club navigates fame and influence in their creative journey.
4. Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot Series
This series follows a young mouse, Ricky Ricotta, and his giant robot as they battle evil forces. Perfect for early readers, these books combine simple text with vibrant illustrations.
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot (2000)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Mutant Mosquitoes from Mercury (2000)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Voodoo Vultures from Venus (2001)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Mecha-Monkeys from Mars (2002)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter (2002)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Stupid Stinkbugs from Saturn (2003)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Uranium Unicorns from Uranus (2005)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Naughty Nightcrawlers from Neptune (2015)
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot vs. the Unpleasant Penguins from Pluto (2016)
5. Other Dav Pilkey Books (Standalone and Early Works)
Before his major series, Pilkey wrote and illustrated several standalone books and early series, many of which are now collector’s items.
- World War Won (1987) – Pilkey’s first book, a self-published comic.
- The Dumb Bunnies (1994) – A humorous picture book series about a silly bunny family.
- The Dumb Bunnies’ Easter (1995)
- Make Way for Dumb Bunnies (1996)
- The Dumb Bunnies Go to the Zoo (1997)
- The Paperboy (1996) – A Caldecott Honor book about a boy’s early morning paper route.
- God Bless the Gargoyles (1996) – A touching story about misunderstood creatures.
- The Hallo-Wiener (1995) – A dachshund saves Halloween in this funny tale.
- ’Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving (1990) – A turkey-filled holiday adventure.
- Dragon’s Halloween (1993) – Part of the Dragon series for early readers.
- Dragon’s Merry Christmas (1991)
- Dragon Gets By (1991)
- A Friend for Dragon (1991)
- Dragon’s Fat Cat (1992)
Where to Start with Dav Pilkey’s Books?
If you’re new to Dav Pilkey, here’s a quick guide to choosing your starting point:
- For young readers (ages 5–8): Start with Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot or the Dragon series for simple, action-packed stories.
- For reluctant readers (ages 7–10): Try Dog Man for its graphic novel format and engaging plots.
- For fans of humor and comics (ages 8–12): Dive into Captain Underpants for classic Pilkey chaos.
- For creative kids: Cat Kid Comic Club inspires young artists to create their own stories.
Fun Facts About Dav Pilkey
- Inspiration from ADHD: Pilkey was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, and his experiences with being misunderstood inspired the rebellious, creative spirit of characters like George and Harold.
- Banned Books: The Captain Underpants series has been banned in some schools for its silly humor, yet it remains a favorite for encouraging reluctant readers.
- Dog Man’s Origin: Dog Man was created by George and Harold in the Captain Underpants universe, making it a meta spin-off!
Where to Buy Dav Pilkey Books
You can find Dav Pilkey’s books at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore. Many libraries also carry his series, making them accessible for all readers. For collectors, check out sites like eBay for rare early works like World War Won.
Conclusion
Dav Pilkey’s books are a delightful blend of humor, heart, and creativity that have entertained generations of readers. Whether you’re following the heroic antics of Captain Underpants, cheering for Dog Man, or laughing with the Dumb Bunnies, there’s a Pilkey story for everyone. Use this guide to explore his books in order and find the perfect adventure for you or your young reader.
Have a favorite Dav Pilkey book or series? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know which zany character you love most!
