Dav Pilkey Books - The Index

Dav has written and drawn some of the most popular books in 'Boy Land'. These are books that can get even the busiest boy to slow down enough to spend some time with a book.


SERIES

Captain Underpants
--children love this series. I can't even guess how many times my Dave has read them. At the 4th and 5th Grade levels.

Dumb Bunnies
--this series appeals to the goofy in kids. At the 2nd & Grade level, except for one 3.1.

Super Diaper Baby
--when Harold and George of 'Captain Underpants' are forbidden to draw anymore of the heroes stories, they come up with this pint-sized hero. At the 2nd Grade level.

Ricky Ricotta & his Giant Robot
--Seven books in the series. Some in Spanish. At the multiple levels.

The Dragon series
--These 5 books are at the 2nd & 3rd Grade level. But more importantly they're a great selection to share with little ones.


OTHERS

Dav Pilkey's book at the 1st Grade level

Dav Pilkey's books at the 2nd Grade level


compiled by iPam

Dav Pilkey's DRAGON series reading levels

After reading the reviews, I'm really surprised that this little series –from the ever-popular Dav Pilkey– isn't mentioned more often. These books get rave reviews from Amazon and GoodReads reviewers.

Find the five books in the series below. Hover over the links to see star ratings from Amazon. GoodReads review ratings updated August 2013.

Friend For Dragon

GoodReads – 4.11 Stars from 206 reviewers

A lonely little dragon ventures into the world looking for a friend. He thinks he finds one when a sneaky little snake makes an apple 'talk'. But the jokes on Snake because Dragon finds the apple an excellent listener.

Word Count: 940
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 53485
Lexile: 280L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0531070549
• sample pages available

Dragon Gets By

GoodReads – 4.14 Stars from 146 reviewers

Dragon has a Amelia-Bedelia kind of day. He reads an egg, fries his morning paper, and generally gets things goomey-wommered.

Word Count: 614
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 2.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 19846

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0531070816
• sample pages available

Dragon's Merry Christmas

GoodReads – 4.06 Stars from 123 reviewers

Sweet Dragon begins preparing for Christmas but runs into some problems. For one thing, he can't bring himself to cut down a tree for his home. The books high point is where Dragon selfishly gives away his gifts to those that are needier.

Word Count: 659
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 53065
Lexile: 410L

• Publisher: Orchard
• ISBN-10: 0439548489
• sample pages available

Dragon's Fat Cat

**STARRED** Review BookList

GoodReads – 4.26 Stars from 190 reviewers

Dragon adopts a stray cat and learns by trial and error how to care for it.

Word Count: 912
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 2.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 19845
Lexile: 450L

• Publisher: Orchard
• ISBN-10: 0531070689
• sample pages available

Dragon's Halloween

GoodReads – 4.08 Stars from 166 reviewers

Three short stories in this volume. In "Six Small Pumpkins" Dragon gets to the pumpkin patches and all the BIG ones are gone. Others include, "The Costume Party" and "The Deep Dark Woods."

Word Count: 902
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 3.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59504
Lexile: 420L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439548470
• sample pages available

Dav Pilkey's books at the First Grade level

Dav Pilkey is a tremendously popular kids' author. This is currently his only book at the 1st Grade level.

The Complete Adventures of Big Dog and Little Dog

GoodReads – 3.95 Stars from 65 reviewers (last updated 8/1/12)

Big Dog is ready for some fun. Little Dog is ready, too. Join these irresistible puppy pals on five zippy adventures, together for the first time in one cozy picture book.

Word Count: 458
Page Count: 88
Accelerated Reading level: 1.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 77681

• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
  
• ISBN-10: 0152047085
• sample pages available
  

Dav Pilkey's books at the Second Grade level

Dav Pilkey is really prolific; which is good because kids love his books and he really appeals to some of those 'reluctant' readers.

The fact that there are so many books though, makes for some awkward list constructions. This list, for example, we admit is awkward. But we need to address books-in-series as well as books that are singles without committing the 'Google sin' of duplication. So bare with us.


Immediately below you'll find brief descriptions of what levels the series are at. Then we've got listed the 'extraneous' singles, Paperboy and Ook and Gluk. Enjoy!

Super Diaper Baby - this entire series is at the second grade level.
Dumb Bunnies - three of the four books in this series are at the second grade level. The remaining book is AR 3.1
Dragon series - this list isn't up yet, but some of the books are at the 2nd Grade level.
Ricky Ricotta - the first book of this series is at the second grade level. The rest are at the 3rd and 4th Grade level.



ADVENTURES OF OOK AND GLUK, Kung-Fu Cavemen From The Future

This is a more sophisticated story from Dav. It deals with time travel and environmental issues, and I enjoyed it, although I'm sure there are a few concepts here that younger readers might not fully grasp. Which is not to say that there's not plenty of goofy humor, such as those hilarious sign rearrangements.

The story is that an evil corporation from the future has arrived at 500,001 BC to make money from Caveland, Ohio. Ook and Gluk take offense and find a portal zip to the future where they find things environmentally devastated. Fortunately they have friends -- a dino named Lily and a Kung Fu instructor known as Master Wong -- and they manage to save the day.

Word Count: 4,373
Page Count: 176
Accelerated Reading level: 2.5 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 138974
Lexile: GN420L

• Publisher: The Blue Sky Press
• ISBN-10: 0545385776
• sample pages available

PAPERBOY

Caldecott Honor (1997)

A quieter tone to this book. The story depicts the bond between a paperboy and his dog and captures the dreamy feeling of being outside before dawn as the rest of the world awakens.

Readin Information:
Word Count: 372
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 18642
Lexile: AD530L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0531071391
• sample pages available
• there's also a book and cassette edition

Dav Pilkey's RICKY RICOTTA reading levels

Ricky Ricotta is another illustrated and boy-friendly series from Dav Pilkey, of Captain Underpants fame. The principle character Ricky begins the stories as a lonely little mouse who is bullied constantly at school. Fortunately for him though, an evil scientist has made a gigantic robot who he intends to have destroy Squeakville. When the robot refuses, Ricky protects him from the scientist, Stinky McNasty, and a beautiful friendship ensues. Lots of flip-o-ramas. Lots of fun.

Spanish versions available for three books. (Volumes 1, 3, and 4. Gotta think #2 is out there somewhere.)

Volume #1
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot
(Scholastic)

Ricky meets robot.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 1,109
Page Count: 112
Accelerated Reader: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59518
Lexile: 340L

Ricky Ricotta y el poderoso robot
(Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot)
Word Count: 1838
Accelerated Reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59518SP


Volume #2
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Mutant Mosquitoes From Mercury
(Scholastic)

A few factoids about the tiny planet Mercury spice up this adventure where mosquitoes threaten the peace.

Word Count: 1,152
Page Count: 128
Accelerated Reader: 3.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59519
Lexile: 470L


Volume #3
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Voodoo Vultures From Venus

The Voodoo Vultures hypnotize people by using their televisions! Drawing lessons at the end of the book.

Word Count: 1,633
Page Count: 125
Accelerated Reader: 3.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59520
Lexile: 520L

• available at amazon under the following ISBNs
• ISBN-10: 043923624X
• ISBN-10: 0439236258
• ISBN-10: 0613329988
• sample pages available

Ricky Ricotta y el poderoso robot
contra los buitres vudú de Venus(Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Voodoo Vultures From Venus)

Word Count: 2586
Accelerated Reader: 4.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59520SP


Volume #4
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Mecha-Monkeys From Mars

Umm, letting Robot use the parent's van. Bad idea. Fortunately an invasion from Mars allows the dual to earn money to replace the damaged van.

Word Count: 1,644
Page Count: 144
Accelerated Reader: 3.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59521
Lexile: 490L

Ricky Ricotta Y El Poderoso Robot
Contra Los Mecamonos De Marte
(Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Mecha-Monkeys From Mars)
Word Count: 2,121
Accelerated Reader: 3.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 59521SP


Volume #5
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Jurassic Jackrabbits From Jupiter

General Jackrabbit heads up the bad bunnies from Jupiter. His plan... to revitalize the giant Jurassic era jackrabbits!

Word Count: 1,705
Page Count: 128
Accelerated Reader: 3.6 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 65004
Lexile: 470L


Volume #6
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Stupid Stinkbugs from Saturn

Poor Ricky. Forced to go to his cousin's house where she'll only play princess, and his aunt and uncle smoother him with affection. He's saved from boredom when the evil Stinkbug leader from Saturn decides to attack.

Word Count: 1,999
Page Count: 128
Accelerated Reader: 4.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 71506
Lexile: 790L


Volume #7
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Uranium Unicorns From Uranus

The next planet up is Uranus. And this time things go awry, coincidentally, when Ricky wishes for a giant-sized friend for Robot so that they don't have to spend every moment together. The twist is that the evil Unicorn leader has conjured up a giant Ladybot to trick Mighty Robot to the dark side.

Word Count: 2,331
Page Count: 128
Accelerated Reader: 4.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 101198
Lexile: 790L

compiled by Pam
updated September 2014

Dav Pilkey's SUPER DIAPER BABY reading levels

Dav Pilkey writes books that boys love! The Super Diaper Baby books are nice because they can be found in Spanish as well as English.

(There's some confusion about the levels of the Spanish editions. Do not entirely trust these numbers.)

Adventures Of Super Diaper Baby

Ordered to stop making the Captain Underpants comics, Harold and George come up with a new pint-sized hero.

Word Count: 2,715
Page Count: 128
Accelerated Reading level: 2.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 64111
Lexile: 270L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439376068
• sample pages available
  

Las Aventuras del Superbebe pañal #1
(Invasion Of The Potty Snatchers)

Jorge y Berto han creado un nuevo superhéroe: el Super-bebé Pañal. En esta divertida aventura se explica cómo un bebé común adquiere superpoderes y derrota al malvado Comisario Patibulario. Libro #1

Word Count: 3073
Accelerated Reading level: 2.5 / points: 0.5
AR Quiz: 64111

• Publisher: Scholastic en Espanol
• ISBN-10: 043955120X

Invasion Of The Potty Snatchers

After Principal Krupp forbids George and Harold from continuing to create comics about feces, the boys begin a story about Rip Van Tinkle, a man who transforms into a puddle of urine and begins to destroy all the toilets in town.

Word Count: 4,422
Page Count: 192
Accelerated Reading level: 2.2 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 144671

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439376068
• sample pages available
  

El Superbebe panal #2: La invasion de los ladrones de inodoros
(Invasion Of The Potty Snatchers)

• Publisher: Scholastic en Espanol
• ISBN-10: 0545375622

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS reading levels

Never underestimate the power of underwear! These books are super popular with boys and they seem to fly off the shelves. So much so that every library we've ever visited has an amazing number of copies.

What's even more amazing is that kids manage to read these books, even though they might be several grades more difficult than their reading level. A HIGHLY MOTIVATING series.

Volume #1
The Adventures of Captain Underpants

In book#1, George and Harold use hypnosis to turn their 'difficult' principal into a superhero. Then they do battle with Dr. Diaper!

Word Count: 5,731
Page Count: 121
Accelerated Reading level: 4.3 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 20251
Lexile: 720L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 043908282X
• sample pages available

Volume #2
Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets

Captain Underpants, aka Principal Krupp, once again dons his superhero outfit as he battles the evil talking toilets at Jerome Horwitz Elementary School.

Word Count: 5,595
Page Count: 144
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 34624
Lexile: 780L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0590634275
• sample pages available

Volume #3
Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds)

Captain Underpants must stop evil space aliens who have turned everyone at school into zombie nerds. Will the lunchroom ever be the same?

Word Count: 4,668
Page Count: 144
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 34629
Lexile: 730L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439049962
• sample pages available

Volume #4
Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants

Professor Pippy P. Poopypants goes to the dark-side when children make fun of him because of his name, and it's up Harold and George and Captain Underpants to save the day.

Word Count: 5,582
Page Count: 160
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 35816
Lexile: 640L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439049989
• sample pages available

Volume #5
Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman
Wedgie Woman is out to take over the world.

Word Count: 7,389
Page Count: 176
Accelerated Reading level: 4.4 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 54477
Lexile: 640L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439050006
• sample pages available

Volume #6
Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets

The situation gets messy when Melvin Sneedley, a fellow student, turns into the Bionic Booger Boy.

Word Count: 7,560
Page Count: 175
Accelerated Reading level: 5.2 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 71681
Lexile: 850L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439376106
• sample pages available

Volume #7
Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridiculous Robo-Boogers

A new character is introduced. Sulu the Bionic Hamster joins the gang as they try to turn the Bionic Booger Boy back into Melvin Sneedly.

Word Count: 8,531
Page Count: 175
Accelerated Reading level: 4.9 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 72761
Lexile: 710L

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0439376122
• sample pages available

Volume #8
Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People

Things go topsy-turvy as George and Harold 'travel' to a world where cafeteria food is wonderful and teachers are super nice. Wouldn't be so bad except that their 'twins' are evil.

Word Count: 7,177
Page Count: 176
Accelerated Reading level: 4.7 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 108880
Lexile: 850L

• Publisher: Blue Sky Press
• ISBN-10: 0439376149
• sample pages available

Volume #9
Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers

**STARRED REVIEW** Publishers Weekly

We're still reading this one, but suffice it to say that the book starts out with George and Harold heading for prison. Note that this book is much longer than the others, and so far very, very slow to get going.

The longest book so far.

Word Count: 17,957
Page Count: 304
Accelerated Reading level: 5.1 / points: 3.0
AR quiz: 153823 

• Publisher: Scholastic
• ISBN-10: 0545175348

Volume #10
Captain Underpants and the Brainy Bamboozle of Black Cheetah Man (TBA)
compiled by iPam

Dumb Bunnies books reading levels (Dav Pilkey)

Dav Pilkey originally wrote this series under another name (Sue Denim), but now he wants all the credit for the smiles and laughter that's generated by this goofy series that features some pretty dumb bunnies.

Dumb Bunnies features colorful artwork that appeals to a broad audience. Everyone from preschool on up. Assuming that 'everyone' has a serious silly streak. Opinions vary, but a lot of readers will tell you that Dav didn't hit his stride until book #2.

Enjoy. These are some motivating books that can get even the busiest child to slow down and read.

Volume 1
Dumb Bunnies

Like the 3 Bears, only dumber. The DUMB BUNNIES will appeal to young children who love off-beat, whacky humor. Like baby Bunny who pours his 'just right' porridge in his pants.

Word Count: 421
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 17293
Lexile: 510L

• Publisher: Scholastic
  
• ISBN-10: 0439669448
• sample pages available
  

Volume 2
Dumb Bunnies' Easter

The DUMB BUNNIES' EASTER is actually much funnier than the first volume. It takes more of a Amelia Bedelia turn with mom 'stuffing the turkey' by sinking it through a basketball hoop. Very good ratings.

Word Count: 448
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 3.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 55282
Lexile: AD570L

• Publisher: Scholastic
  
• ISBN-10: 0545008808
• sample pages available

Volume 3
Make Way for Dumb Bunnies

The Bunny clan head out to the beach, the movies, and other places they can get into trouble.

Word Count: 344
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 55273
Lexile: 230L

• Publisher: Scholastic
  
• ISBN-10: 0545039398
• sample pages available

Volume 4
Dumb Bunnies Go To The Zoo

What can I say. The Bunnies let all the animals out of their cages when they mistake a butterfly for an escaped lion.

Word Count: 585
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 19936
Lexile: 480L

• Publisher: Scholastic
  
• ISBN-10: 0545039371
• sample pages available

compiled by iPam