Families who loved Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space by Dav Pilkey often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child seems frustrated by the rigid rules of school or needs a low-pressure win to build reading confidence. It is a perfect choice for the 'reluctant reader' who finds traditional stories boring and prefers high-energy, slapstick humor. The story follows best friends George and Harold as they accidentally invite alien invaders to their school, forcing their hypnotized principal to once again don his cape and underwear to save the day. While the book is famous for its toilet humor and mischievous pranks, it deeply celebrates the bond of friendship and the power of creative expression through comic books. It validates a child's sense of play and imagination in a way that feels rebellious but is ultimately harmless and joyful. Ideal for ages 7 to 10, this volume uses a hybrid graphic novel format that makes even the longest chapters feel approachable and rewarding for young readers.
