The DOG MAN Days of Summer
Check out these “Dog Man” read-alikes at the library!
For several years running now, the Tulsa City-County Library year-end circulation statistics show that the MOST popular book title for children is anything in the hilarious, heartfelt “Dog Man” graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey, which was itself a spinoff of his uber-popular (and just as silly-sweet) “Captain Underpants” series.
We are still in peak “Dog Man” mode as a society, and you better believe that the library is on top of making sure there are plenty of “Dog Man” books at all 24 libraries and the bookmobile this summer!
But if your little readers have read ALL of them already, or you want to expand their reading diet, consider these excellent read-alikes, which combine slapstick humor with thought-provoking themes like friendship, responsibility and overcoming challenges.
“Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians” by Jarrett Krosoczka
The first in this 10-volume humorous graphic novel series about a crime-fighting lunch lady is actually “Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute,” but c’mon, I had to recommend the library one (number 2 in the series) instead, even though the “bad guys” are actual librarians! Silliness, slapstick and spectacularly energetic artwork inform these adventurous tales about an unexpected hero, similar to “Dog Man.”
“Real Pigeons Fight Crime!” by Andrew McDonald
Birds don’t just fly…some of them fight crime, too! At least they do in this gloriously ridiculous series where pigeons make sure the city is safe. The fun reveal is that the “villains” in this series are other flying animals who aren’t even really evil, just intent on achieving their own animal goals.
Related title: “The Real Poop on Pigeons!” by Kevin McCloskey is a nonfiction book that carries the fun spirit of the “Real Pigeons” series while giving even more facts on these creatures if your young reader is interested in learning more. (Alas, it does not support the crime-fighting theory.)
“Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth” by Judd Winick
A classic “fish out of water” story, this long-running series (with 11 titles so far!) follows Hilo, a robot boy who falls to earth from space and has absolutely no idea who or where he is. A group of diverse friends do what they can to help him acclimate, all while trying to save the planet. One reviewer calls it “a wholeheartedly weird and wonderful tale of friendship, acceptance and robots.” (Now, how can you resist THAT?)
“Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans” by Gary Northfield
Zany adventures featuring a fast-talking zebra, a grumpy lion and a clueless warthog, who are whisked away to the Roman Coliseum where they are coerced into becoming gladiators. Combining short chapters, irreverent text and cartoons, this series nevertheless manages to impart a lot of facts and knowledge about the Roman Empire.
Summer Reading Program!
- June 2-July 31
- Sign up at any of our 24 libraries or the bookmobile!
- A program for EVERYONE – Littles, Children, Teens and Adults!
- Earn great prizes and coupons for free food and entertainment!
For more information: tulsalibrary.org/summer
