Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Riotous, silly fun with soft touch by Underpants creator.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 40 parent reviews
Parents say that while some children enjoy the humor and art of this book, many reviews express serious concerns over its appropriateness for young readers, citing frequent potty jokes and a lack of positive moral lessons. Recommendations typically suggest that the book may be better suited for older children who can handle its themes, as it has the potential to encourage undesirable behaviors in younger kids.
- inappropriate content
- potty humor
- encourages bad behavior
- age recommendations
- reading motivation
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 47 kid reviews
Kids say this book is hilarious and entertaining, especially for those who enjoy potty humor. While some adults criticize it for its lack of a clear narrative and the use of crude jokes, many young readers find it relatable, inspiring, and a great start to a well-loved series.
- funny humor
- entertaining for kids
- relatable characters
- criticism of narrative
- potty humor issues
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
DOG MAN revisits the goofy comics created by Harold and George in the Captain Underpants series. This collection of four short stories begins by explaining how Dog Man was surgically created after a police officer and his canine companion were badly injured in an explosion. Subsequent chapters pit Dog Man against his nemesis, Petey the cat, as Petey participates in a nefarious plot to replace the police chief with a robot who'll follow the mayor's every command; erases all the world's books and makes everyone insufferably dumb; and tries to destroy all dogs while triggering the creation of an army of animated hot dogs. In each story, Dog Man's cleverness helps him cuff the cat.
Is It Any Good?
The always cheeky Dav Pilkey stays true to form with this unapologetically giddy comic series start featuring a clever dog-hearted cop devoted to his job -- and his boss. Dog Man features typical bathroom humor (readers will solve the mystery of who pooped in the police chief's office long before the chief does), but it also has an unabashed sweet streak. When the chief feels he hasn't a friend in the world, Dog Man stays by his side, despite a history of being scolded by his boss.
The graphic novel is supposed to look as if it were drawn by fourth-graders for fourth-graders, and some parents will recognize their own children's sense of humor in this. Pilkey pokes fun at those who clutch their pearls over gross, goofy books, inserting a scolding letter from George's teacher denouncing his disruptive "comix" and urging his parents to consider "some kind of behavior modification drug to cure his 'creative streak.'"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about empathy in Dog Man. How does the police chief's relationship with Dog Man change, and why?
What makes stories with poop jokes and gross humor so appealing?
Pilkey's books are often challenged by parents and educators. Are you more interested in books adults find distasteful? Or do you think the critics have a point?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Dav Pilkey
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Adventures , Animals , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Graphix
- Publication date : August 30, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 7 - 18
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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