He’s part dog, part man, a champion of justice—and the canine hero of the Fremont Main Library’s most checked-out book.
Since the beginning of the year, readers have checked out Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea more than 420 times—not counting renewals. The kid-friendly graphic novel is the eleventh in an expanding series of 12 from author and illustrator Dav Pilkey, whom parents may remember from his hit series Captain Underpants. This series follows a hybrid dog/policeman who takes on villains with a familiar brand of outrageous storylines and potty humor that put Pilkey on the map in the late 90s.
“We cannot keep Dog Man books on our shelves,” said Kelly Pollard, Children’s Librarian at the Fremont Main Library. “I am often digging copies out of the book return bins before they even make it onto the library shelves. Kids get so excited if the book is available when they visit our library.”
The phenomenon extends beyond Fremont’s shelves. Dog Man’s publisher, Scholastic, says over 60 million books from the series are in print; the latest Dog Man release is also a worldwide number one best-seller. On Amazon, Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea holds third place in the “Children’s Superhero Books” category across the site. In fact, Dog Man books claim spots one through six and eight through ten on the entire list.
So what is it about this furry defender of justice that has captured the hearts of so many? Its accessible format may be just as key as its content.
“These books are especially popular with reluctant readers,” says Pollard. “I have had some great conversations with caregivers about the value of reading graphic novels and how when kids find books they connect to, they can learn to love reading.”
Pollard also mentions that the books are a hit with kids beyond its intended 8-12 age group. A quick glance at reviews makes it clear that Pilkey tackles serious issues underneath the veneer of absurdity.
“Dav Pilkey is so smart. His plots and humor work on two levels seamlessly,” says reviewer darladoodles, who gave the book five stars on the Fremont Main Library website. “There are bits of human nature throughout that we can relate to at any age. It includes themes relating to personal rehabilitation, fake news, persistence, and a chapter entitled ‘Cat Cell Culture.’”
Dog Man is just one piece of Pilkey’s success. Two titles from his Cat Kid Comic Club series—a spin-off from a character introduced in Dog Man—also hold a place among the top 10 most popular books at Fremont’s library this year. And following in the footsteps of Captain Underpants, a Dog Man movie is underway.
Until then, Fremont fans can check out Dog Man books by the dozen—if they’re not on hold.
