The Hilarious Books in The Bad Guys Series

This illustrated series about "bad guys" who want to be good is perfect for fans of Dog Man and Captain Underpants, or absolutely any reader who loves to laugh.

Nov 21, 2024

Ages

7-11

The Hilarious Books in The Bad Guys Series

Nov 21, 2024

Introduce your young reader to the baddest bunch of do-gooders in town — Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark, the main characters in author and illustrator Aaron Blabey's The Bad Guys graphic chapter book series.

Whether it’s a chain-saw monster confronting a velociraptor who has eaten an elderly piranha, or saving the world from Dr. Marmalade's meowing monsters, these unforgettable "bad guys" will entice readers of all ages and make everyone in the family cry from the laughter and hilarity. (We speak from experience.)  

If your young reader is new to this best-selling series, then the best place to start is, of course, Bad Guys #1: The Bad Guys. In this hilarious first installment, we meet Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, and Mr. Shark as they plot to break 200 dogs out of the Maximum Security City Dog Pound. Author and illustrator Aaron Blabey is said to have started the series for his then 6-year-old son, who hated reading. In response, Blabey wrote something wildly fun – launching the series and inspiring readers and fans around the world to fall in love with his characters and reading itself.  

Almost a decade after the first book, now the final installment, The Bad Guys #20: One Last Thing, has arrived on shelves, bringing the incredibly beloved series to an epic conclusion. It's the perfect time for super fans and new readers alike to dive into all the side-splitting, sweet, and suspenseful books in this series. Will these guys fail hard at trying to be good up until the very end? Get your copy today to find out. 

Read the series and plan your next family movie night, so your reader can watch the books come to life in the hilarious movie adaptation, The Bad Guys from DreamWorks Animation. Plus, check out the novelization of the movie to keep your young reader engaged and growing their skills. 

Can’t get enough of the Bad Guys? Check out Cat on the Run #1: Cat of Death, the first book in the hilarious chapter book series set in the world of the Bad Guys.

And for bonus fun, print out these paw-some Cat on the Run activity sheets:

Shop all The Bad Guys books below! Plus, explore more book lists to discover the best children's books by age, interest, and more. You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.

Shop All the Books in the Series

The Bad Guys Book Sets & More

Series, Characters, Authors
Age 9
Age 8
Age 7
Age 10
Age 11