Dog Man Books in Order: Complete Series Guide for Kids and Parents
Author: RentReadBuy Editorial Team
Published: 2026-08-18
See all Dog Man books in order, find the best book to start with, understand the recommended reading age and explore available Dav Pilkey books on RentReadBuy.
Quick answer: As of 18 August 2026, there are 14 published books in Dav Pilkey's main Dog Man series. Dog Man: Big Jim Believes is the latest published volume, while Book 15, Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time, is scheduled for release on 3 November 2026. The best starting point for a new reader is Book 1, although children can usually understand the main adventure in a later volume.
This guide lists the Dog Man books in order, explains whether children need to follow the sequence, covers the usual reading age and helps parents choose a practical starting point.
In This Guide
- Quick Dog Man series facts
- Dog Man books in order
- Do the books need to be read in order?
- Where should a child start?
- Age and reading-level guidance
- Why the format may appeal to reluctant readers
- Rent, buy or request a book
Dog Man Series: Quick Facts for Parents
| Question | Current answer |
|---|---|
| Who created Dog Man? | Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator behind Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club. |
| What is the first Dog Man book? | Dog Man, published in 2016. |
| How many Dog Man books are published? | Fourteen main-series books have been published as of 18 August 2026. |
| What is the latest published book? | Dog Man: Big Jim Believes, Book 14. |
| Is another book coming? | Yes. Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time, Book 15, is scheduled for 3 November 2026. |
| What age is Dog Man for? | The series is commonly recommended for children around ages 7 to 10, with a broader possible range of 7 to 12 depending on reading confidence and interest. |
| Do the books need to be read in order? | Not strictly, but publication order provides the clearest character and relationship progression. |
The official Scholastic Dog Man series page lists the main books separately from colouring books and related titles. This article follows that official main-series sequence.
Dog Man Books in Order
Below is the complete main-series order. Book 15 is included for planning purposes but is clearly marked as an upcoming release.
| Book | Title | Year | Parent-friendly guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dog Man | 2016 | The proper starting point. It introduces Dog Man, Petey and the series' comic-book world. |
| 2 | Dog Man: Unleashed | 2016 | An early sequel that expands the characters, humour and crime-fighting format. |
| 3 | Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties | 2017 | An important volume for readers interested in Li'l Petey and the emotional development of the series. |
| 4 | Dog Man and Cat Kid | 2017 | Builds the partnership between Dog Man and Cat Kid and works best after Book 3. |
| 5 | Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas | 2018 | Combines action, teamwork and an unlikely alliance with Petey. This title has a confirmed RentReadBuy product page. |
| 6 | Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild | 2018 | A fast-paced choice for children who already understand the core characters. |
| 7 | Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls | 2019 | Continues the humour while giving more attention to behaviour, choices and character growth. |
| 8 | Dog Man: Fetch-22 | 2019 | Develops the Supa Buddies and recurring relationships within the wider series. |
| 9 | Dog Man: Grime and Punishment | 2020 | A useful later-series choice for readers who enjoy stories about mistakes, second chances and responsibility. |
| 10 | Dog Man: Mothering Heights | 2021 | Combines comic action with themes involving family, care and emotional growth. |
| 11 | Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea | 2023 | Returns to a large team adventure involving Piggy, new threats and the Supa Buddies. |
| 12 | Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder | 2024 | Uses a skunk-spray problem, social rejection and artificial-intelligence villains to create a more recent entry point. |
| 13 | Dog Man: Big Jim Begins | 2024 | Explores origins and backstory, making it especially relevant to readers who already know Big Jim. |
| 14 | Dog Man: Big Jim Believes | 2025 | The latest published volume. It continues Big Jim's story and explores trust, truth, friendship and gratitude. |
| 15 | Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time | 2026 | Upcoming: Scheduled for 3 November 2026. It should not be described as already published. |
Accuracy note: Cat Kid Comic Club is a separate spin-off series. Colouring books, sticker books, film-related books and activity books should not be inserted into the numbered Dog Man reading order.
Do Dog Man Books Need to Be Read in Order?
Children do not always need to begin with Book 1 to understand the immediate action in a Dog Man story. Most volumes explain enough of their current problem for a new reader to follow the adventure.
However, reading in publication order is still the best approach when possible. Characters such as Petey, Li'l Petey, 80-HD, Big Jim and the Supa Buddies change over time. Their friendships, conflicts and family relationships become more meaningful when the books are read in sequence.
A practical rule is:
- Choose Book 1 when the child wants the complete story from the beginning.
- Choose an available later volume when immediate interest is more important than perfect sequence.
- Return to the earlier books if the child becomes interested in the recurring characters and their development.
This is similar to the approach used in our Geronimo Stilton age and starter guide, where a child's interest can sometimes be a better first step than insisting on one rigid entry point.
Which Dog Man Book Should a Child Read First?
Best Overall Starting Point: Dog Man, Book 1
Book 1 is the strongest starting point for a new reader. It explains Dog Man's origin, introduces Petey and establishes the style, humour and recurring cast.
Best for Readers Interested in Li'l Petey: A Tale of Two Kitties
Book 3 becomes an important point in the series because Li'l Petey adds emotional depth, family themes and new relationships. A child who already recognises these characters may be especially interested in this volume.
Confirmed RentReadBuy Choice: Lord of the Fleas
Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas is Book 5. It includes action, teamwork and Petey joining the heroes against a larger threat. The RentReadBuy page currently provides eligible rent and buy options, although availability and pricing may change.
Best for an Existing Fan: Big Jim Believes
Book 14 is the latest published title as of August 2026. It is more suitable for a child who already knows the recent characters and developments than for someone completely new to the series.
What Age Are Dog Man Books For?
Dog Man is commonly positioned for children around ages 7 to 10 and Grades 2 to 5. Some official parent guidance uses a broader ages 7 to 12 range because children continue enjoying the humour and graphic-novel format at different stages.
Scholastic listings show that reading measures can vary across individual volumes. The series should therefore not be reduced to one fixed reading-level number.
| Reader | Practical guidance |
|---|---|
| Ages 6 to 7 | Consider shared reading when the child enjoys comics but still needs help with vocabulary or page navigation. |
| Ages 7 to 10 | This is the strongest general range for independent reading, particularly for children who like humour, action and visual storytelling. |
| Ages 10 to 12 | Older children may still enjoy the quick pace, recurring characters, jokes and collection-building aspect. |
| Reluctant or developing readers | Begin with a short supported session and focus on enjoyment rather than testing or correcting every word. |
Parents should consider the child's actual reading confidence, not only age. Our guide to choosing books by age explains how reading ability, maturity and personal interests can be used together.
For official publisher guidance, review the Scholastic collection details.
Why Dog Man May Appeal to Reluctant Readers
Dog Man books combine illustrations, dialogue, expressive lettering and fast-moving scenes. This can make the page feel more approachable than a dense chapter book.
The format may help some developing readers because it offers:
- Visual clues that support understanding
- Shorter blocks of text
- Humour and quick scene changes
- Recurring characters who become familiar
- Clear progression from one volume to the next
- A manageable feeling of completion
Graphic novels are still reading. Children interpret dialogue, facial expressions, sequences, visual details, tone and relationships between words and pictures.
Dog Man cannot guarantee that every child will develop a reading habit, but it can provide a useful starting format for children who find long text-heavy pages discouraging.
If consistency is the larger challenge, use the small-session approach in our 30-day reading-habit plan for parents.
What Is the Latest Dog Man Book?
The latest published book is Dog Man: Big Jim Believes, Book 14, released on 11 November 2025.
The next announced volume is Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time, Book 15. Scholastic has scheduled it for 3 November 2026. Until that date, it should be described as upcoming or available for pre-order where applicable, not as a published book.
See the official Scholastic Book 15 announcement for current publisher information.
Should You Rent, Buy or Request Dog Man Books?
| Rent first when | Buy when available when |
|---|---|
| The child is trying Dog Man for the first time. | The child already rereads the series. |
| You want to test several volumes before collecting them. | A particular volume has become a favourite. |
| The child reads quickly and wants regular variety. | The family wants to build a permanent collection. |
| You are unsure whether graphic novels will hold the child's attention. | The book is being selected as a gift. |
Browse Dav Pilkey books on RentReadBuy to check current listings. Product availability can change because books are connected to physical copies.
If the Dog Man volume you want is not currently available, use the Request a Book option on RentReadBuy. This lets readers identify the correct volume from the order above and request it instead of choosing an unrelated replacement.
Final Recommendation
Start with Dog Man, Book 1 when your child wants the complete series experience. Choose A Tale of Two Kitties when Li'l Petey and the developing family relationships are the main attraction. Consider Lord of the Fleas when you want a confirmed RentReadBuy listing with action, teamwork and familiar characters.
The most useful sequence is:
Start with one suitable volume, see whether the child enjoys the format, continue in publication order where possible and buy the favourites that are likely to be reread.
Explore Dog Man and Dav Pilkey books on RentReadBuy
Editorial verification: Series order, latest-book status and publisher age guidance were reviewed on 18 August 2026. Availability, rental prices and purchase options should be checked on the relevant RentReadBuy product page.