Books Like Captain Underpants: 8 Series for Kids Who Love Gross Humor

The Captain Underpants Phenomenon: Why Kids Can’t Put These Books Down

Let’s start with a truth parents sometimes struggle with: Your kid reading only Captain Underpants is completely OK.

Captain Underpants is hilarious, weird, unapologetically gross, and utterly uninterested in being “respectable literature.” It has toilet humor, ridiculous drawings, and a hero who fights crime in his underwear. Children lose their minds for it. And that enthusiasm? That’s the magic of reading engagement.

At KidsBookCheck, we’ve analyzed thousands of reading profiles. Kids who exclusively read Captain Underpants typically fall into one of two camps:

The first: Kids discovering that they like reading. They’ve been told picture books are “baby stuff” and chapter books are “boring,” but then someone hands them Captain Underpants and suddenly reading is hilarious, creative, and fun. These kids are awakening to the joy of stories.

The second: Kids rebelling against “proper” reading. Maybe a parent keeps choosing “literary” books. Maybe school reading lists feel joyless. Captain Underpants says: You don’t have to read what adults think you should read. That rebellion is healthy. It’s self-advocacy.

Either way, your child reading is winning. And they’re probably ready for more series that match that energy—hilarious, illustrated, slightly inappropriate, and absolutely impossible to put down.

Understanding the Captain Underpants Reader Profile

Before we recommend alternatives, let’s talk about what makes Captain Underpants work:

K: 78 (reading difficulty) | P: 49 (parent satisfaction) | T: 65 (thematic depth)

Notice something? The gap between Kids score (78—they love it) and Parents score (49—many parents are skeptical) is huge. That’s not a flaw. It’s evidence that the book speaks to kid interests, not adult sensibilities.

This is important: Your child’s book preferences don’t have to match yours. A parent who adores literary fiction can have a child who adores silly comics. Both preferences are valid. Both readers are reading.

The KidsBookCheck quiz factors in this disconnect. We help you find books your child will actually finish, which matters infinitely more than books that look impressive on a shelf.

The Dog Man Ascension: When Captain Underpants Readers Graduate

If your child loves Captain Underpants, Dog Man is the natural next step—by the same creator, but evolved.

Dog Man Series by Dav Pilkey Ages 6-10

Reading Profile:

• K: 82 | P: 48 | C: 66.0

Dog Man is technically more sophisticated than Captain Underpants (higher K score), but kids don’t notice because they’re too busy laughing. The humor matured with Pilkey’s writing. The dog-headed-on-human-body police officer is absurd, yes, but the emotional core is stronger. Dog Man cares. He struggles with morality. He grows.

Why it’s perfect for the transition:

• Same creator kids already love (no risk in trying)
• Even sillier, but with more heart
• Character development matters (Dog Man learns empathy)
• Illustrated in Pilkey’s signature style
• Each book introduces new concepts (mime villains, petshop employees, time travel)

The parent perspective: Even parents skeptical of Captain Underpants often admit Dog Man is surprisingly well-written. The humor is gross (intentionally), but the relationships are genuine.

Best for: Kids aged 6-10 who are ready to graduate from Captain Underpants but want to stay in silly, illustrated territory.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library
• Used bookstores

The Pilkey Masterpiece: Cat Kid Comic Club

Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey Ages 7-11

If Dog Man is the obvious next step, Cat Kid Comic Club is where Captain Underpants readers discover that graphic novels can be profound.

Reading Profile:

• K: 81 | P: 77 | C: 79.8

This is Pilkey’s most accomplished work. It’s about a cat teaching young characters to create comics. On the surface: silly graphic novel fun. Underneath: a meditation on creativity, friendship, anxiety, and perseverance.

Cat Kid features diversity in gender, age, appearance, and learning style. The young characters struggle with confidence, perfectionism, and self-doubt. Then they learn that their stories matter.

Parents who read this book report tears. Not from the humor (though it’s hilarious), but from the emotional authenticity. You finish Cat Kid Comic Club understanding why Pilkey’s work matters.

Best for: Ages 7-11, especially kids who are creative, anxious, or struggle with confidence. This book is gentle in a way Captain Underpants isn’t—it cares about your feelings.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library

The Villains’ Perspective: The Bad Guys Series

The Bad Guys Series by Aaron Blabey Ages 6-10

What if the “bad guys” of traditional stories are actually good? That’s the premise. A snake, piranha, and wolf—traditionally villainous—team up to do good deeds and prove they’re not bad at all.

Reading Profile:

• K: 70 | P: 49 | C: 58.6

Like Captain Underpants, The Bad Guys has a parent-satisfaction gap. Adults sometimes worry about the “bad” characters or the silly tone. Kids find it hilarious, relatable, and genuinely touching when the characters prove they’re misunderstood.

Why Captain Underpants readers love it:

• Similar illustration style and humor sensibility
• Faster-paced than some chapter books
• Characters feel like friends by book three
• The humor is situational, not mean-spirited

Best for: Ages 6-10, especially kids who love animals, humor, and stories about unlikely friendships.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library

The Diary Format: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney Ages 7-12

If your child loves Captain Underpants but wants slightly more sophistication, Wimpy Kid is perfect. The diary format (Greg Heffley’s internal monologue) feels fresher than traditional narrative. The illustrations are integral, not decorative.

Reading Profile:

• K: 80 | P: 47 | C: 61.7

The parent-satisfaction gap here is particularly interesting. Many parents find Wimpy Kid’s humor crude or worry that Greg’s behavior isn’t “good role modeling.” Parents need to understand: Greg is supposed to be flawed. He’s self-centered, shallow, and trying to navigate social hierarchy. That’s the point. Kids recognize themselves in him.

Why it works:

• Relatable social anxiety
• Humor centered on awkwardness, not cruelty
• Illustrations on nearly every page
• Realistic middle school dynamics
• Character growth across the series

Best for: Ages 7-12, especially kids navigating the social complexities of elementary-to-middle-school transitions. Readers who feel like outsiders connect deeply.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library
• Widely available everywhere

Super Diaper Baby: The Pilkey Spin-Off

Super Diaper Baby & Super Diaper Baby 2 by Dav Pilkey & Joe Blue Ages 6-10

If Captain Underpants readers haven’t discovered this yet, they’re missing out. Pilkey created this series as a “comic” within Captain Underpants, then published full versions. It’s absurdist comedy gold.

Why it works as a transition:

• Same humor as Captain Underpants but different format
• Shorter books feel less intimidating than longer series
• Illustrations drive the narrative (comfort for visual learners)
• Absurdist logic that kids find hilarious

Best for: Ages 6-10 as an interlude between Captain Underpants and Dog Man.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library

The Sci-Fi Route: Hilo Series

Hilo Series by Judd Winick Ages 7-11

Hilo is a boy who emerges from the ocean with no memory, only to discover he’s the last robot standing against alien invaders. It sounds intense, but it’s surprisingly warm and funny.

Reading Profile:

• K: 63 | P: 44 | C: 54.0

The illustrated chapters (a format between traditional chapter books and graphic novels) make this accessible. The humor is situational—Hilo trying to understand Earth customs—rather than gross-out.

Why it works for Captain Underpants fans:

• Unusual protagonist (robot/alien angle)
• Illustrated throughout
• Adventure balanced with heart
• Diverse cast that feels natural, not forced

Best for: Ages 7-11, especially kids who like action-adventure with humor, not just comedy alone.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library

The School Comedy: Big Nate Series

Big Nate Series by Lincoln Peirce Ages 7-11

Big Nate is the school comedy series for kids who love humor but want relatable settings. Nate is a sixth grader who loves comics, struggles in school, and has a gift for getting in trouble without trying.

Reading Profile:

• K: 76 | P: 64 | C: 70.4

Notice the parent-satisfaction score (64)? Higher than Captain Underpants or Wimpy Kid. Parents tend to appreciate Big Nate because Nate learns, grows, and has a genuine friend group. The humor is abundant without feeling mean-spirited.

Why it appeals to Captain Underpants readers:

• Illustrated throughout
• Fast-paced, short chapters
• Abundant humor
• Relatable protagonist
• Lower “sophistication” threshold than Wimpy Kid

Best for: Ages 7-11 as a solid middle ground between pure silliness and character-driven narrative.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library

The Movie Tie-In: The Bad Guys Movie Novelization

The Bad Guys: The Movie by Aaron Blabey & Pierre Perifel Ages 7-11

For kids who watched The Bad Guys animated film and want to extend the experience, the novelization based on the screenplay bridges the gap between movie and books. It’s shorter, heavily illustrated, and captures the humor of the film.

Best for: Ages 7-11 as a bridge book or gift for kids who loved the movie.

Where to find it:

• Amazon
• Your library

Comparison Table: From Captain Underpants to Beyond

Series	Author	Format	K	Ages	Humor Style	Best For
Captain Underpants	Dav Pilkey	Graphic Novel	65	6-10	Absurdist/Gross	Comedy lovers
Dog Man	Dav Pilkey	Graphic Novel	82	6-10	Absurdist + Heart	Captain U grads
Cat Kid Comic Club	Dav Pilkey	Graphic Novel	81	7-11	Clever + Emotional	Creatives
The Bad Guys	Aaron Blabey	Chapter + Illustration	70	6-10	Situational/Relatable	Animal lovers
Diary of a Wimpy Kid	Jeff Kinney	Diary/Illustrated	80	7-12	Social Anxiety Comedy	Middle schoolers
Super Diaper Baby	Dav Pilkey	Illustrated	68	6-10	Absurdist	Interlude readers
Hilo	Judd Winick	Illustrated Chapter	63	7-11	Action + Humor	Adventure lovers
Big Nate	Lincoln Peirce	Illustrated Chapter	76	7-11	School Comedy	Relatable humor

A Parent’s Empathy Moment: On Reading “Beneath” Your Expectations

Here’s what we hear from parents constantly: “My kid only wants to read Captain Underpants. All their friends are reading chapter books. Am I failing?”

You’re not. Not even close.

Your child reading Captain Underpants is winning. They’re developing reading stamina, humor appreciation, and comfort with self-direction. They’re learning that stories exist for enjoyment, not just achievement. That’s foundational.

Will they eventually read other things? Probably. But even if they don’t, a child who reads enthusiastically—whatever they’re reading—is ahead of a child who reads “better” books reluctantly.

Here’s what research shows: Kids who read anything regularly develop stronger reading skills than kids who read sporadically or not at all. Content matters infinitely less than consistency.

So yes, your child reading six Captain Underpants books is better than your child reading zero books or one “literary” book they didn’t finish.

The goal is sustainable reading identity. A child who says “I’m a reader” because Captain Underpants made them laugh is infinitely more likely to keep reading than a child who says “Reading is boring” because adults forced them into books they hated.

Captain Underpants is the gateway. The rest follows naturally.

How KidsBookCheck Helps You Navigate the Funny Books Landscape

Finding books that match your child’s humor sensibility while slightly challenging their reading level is an art. That’s what the KidsBookCheck quiz does.

Answer questions about your child’s current reading, humor preferences, and comfort level. We’ll recommend series that match their Captain Underpants energy but feel fresh. Our algorithm considers not just reading difficulty, but whether a book will actually get your child excited to turn pages.

Then return to the quiz as your child’s tastes evolve. What made them laugh at 7 might feel babyish at 9. We help you find what’s next.

Building a Gross-Humor-Loving Reader’s Library

Start with what they’ve already loved, then expand strategically:

1. If they’ve devoured all Captain Underpants: Dog Man (same creator, obvious choice)
2. If they love Dog Man: Cat Kid Comic Club (Pilkey’s next level)
3. If they want variety but same energy: The Bad Guys or Diary of a Wimpy Kid
4. If they’re ready to transition to traditional chapters: Big Nate or Hilo

Then return to the KidsBookCheck quiz to discover what’s next. We’ll show you books in their interest zone, complete with parent and kid satisfaction scores so you understand what you’re getting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Captain Underpants “bad” for my child?

No. It’s funny, silly, and gross—exactly what kids love. Parents often worry that bathroom humor encourages poor behavior, but research doesn’t support this. Kids distinguish between book humor and real-world behavior. The bigger concern: that kids aren’t reading at all. Captain Underpants solves that problem beautifully.

My child only reads funny books, never serious ones. Should I encourage different genres?

Not necessarily. Some people are humor readers throughout life. They’re not “missing out”—they’re reading what brings them joy. That’s sufficient. If they’re curious about other genres, that curiosity will emerge naturally. Forcing variety usually backfires.

Is Dog Man too advanced for my Captain Underpants reader?

Probably not. Kids often read forward into slightly harder books when they love the author. Dog Man’s K score (82) is higher than Captain Underpants (65), but the visual support keeps it accessible. Most Captain Underpants fans who try Dog Man succeed.

My child read Cat Kid Comic Club and loved it but found it “too sad.” How do I help?

That’s normal. Cat Kid has emotional depth that Captain Underpants lacks. Your child discovered that books can make you feel things. That’s growth. Reassure them that sadness in stories is OK—it means the character matters to them. Then offer a palate-cleanser: Dog Man or The Bad Guys to reset before another emotionally resonant book.

Should I worry that my child prefers graphic novels to traditional chapter books?

No. Graphic novels develop the same literacy skills: vocabulary, comprehension, narrative sequencing, visual literacy. If anything, they develop additional skills (visual interpretation). Some children remain graphic novel readers; others use them as stepping stones. Both paths are valid. Return to the KidsBookCheck quiz as they progress to identify what’s next naturally.

My child is 12 and still reading Captain Underpants. Is that developmental regression?

No. Not everyone outgrows Captain Underpants, and that’s fine. Some adults still love silly humor. If your 12-year-old reads Captain Underpants AND other books, they’re simply reading what brings joy. If they read only Captain Underpants and resist trying anything else, you might gently explore what else appeals to them (maybe through the quiz). But the reading itself isn’t a problem.

Are there “gateway” books to move from funny to serious fiction?

Yes, sometimes. Books like Wonder or The War That Saved My Life have humor alongside emotional depth. They can bridge the gap for kids transitioning from pure comedy to more complex narratives. The KidsBookCheck quiz helps identify these bridges.

Should I use audiobooks to expose my child to different genres?

Absolutely. Listening to Percy Jackson or Harry Potter while reading Captain Underpants independently? That’s healthy balance. Audiobooks introduce content kids might not choose independently, without the pressure of “not having fun reading.”

The Permission You Need to Hear

Your child reading Captain Underpants is reading. It’s funny, it’s engaging, and it matters. They’re learning that stories exist, that reading can be joyful, and that their interests are worth pursuing.

That’s not a problem to solve. That’s a foundation to build on.

When they’re ready for Dog Man or Wimpy Kid or something you haven’t discovered yet, they’ll be prepared. Because they’ve been practicing the skill that matters most: finishing books.

Ready to find your child’s next laugh-out-loud series? Use the KidsBookCheck quiz to discover what’s next. Then head to the library, grab a stack, and watch your child lose themselves in absurdist humor and emotional growth.

That’s the journey of every great reader.

---