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Book characters are like the secret ingredient in a favorite dish — they bring a whole new level of excitement to every story! When kids discover a character they connect with, they experience the joy of making a new friend to share adventures with and learn from.

Plus, when students get invested in a character, they’re more likely to pick up the next book in a series. The excitement of a literary friend makes reading fun, all while boosting reading skills and fluency along the way!

Whether it's the courage of a young adventurer, the resilience of an underdog, or the wisdom of a timeless mentor, these characters become companions, role models, and windows into diverse worlds. Welcome these cherished characters to your classroom and nurture a lifelong love for reading among students of all ages.

Here are 10+ book series featuring popular characters to add to your classroom library. 

Clifford The Big Red Dog

Introduce students to Clifford, the iconic Big Red Dog! Clifford models excellent behavior for young readers and will teach students that even small, simple actions can make the world a better place.

The Bad Guys

Upper elementary readers will delight in the antics of Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark, the main characters in The Bad Guys graphic novel series. These unforgettable “bad guys” are always looking for ways to do good and save the world from mischievous villains. 

The Baby-Sitters Club

Students will love getting to know Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, Stacey, Dawn, and other members of The Baby-Sitters Club. Whether they’re navigating friendships or overcoming the obstacles of running a business, readers will learn valuable lessons about teamwork, entrepreneurship, and more!

This beloved series now includes graphic novels perfect for both newcomers and longtime fans!

Captain Underpants

Readers will laugh out loud as they dive into the adventures of fourth graders George and Harold and Captain Underpants — everyone’s favorite zany comic book hero. This action-packed series combines empowerment, empathy, and creativity with humor and action — all while building students’ reading skills.

Dog Man

Meet Dog Man: the crime-biting protagonist who’s part dog, part man, and all hero! When duty calls, Dog Man is always prepared and ready to fight for justice. As students follow in the hilarious adventures of this heroic hound, they’ll also learn about empathy, kindness, and the importance of doing good.

Fly Guy

Packed with humor, thrilling action, and vibrant illustrations, the Fly Guy series spotlights the playful antics of Fly Guy and his human companion, Buzz. This popular series includes exciting fiction and nonfiction titles sure to be a hit for growing readers.

How Do Dinosaurs

The prehistoric pals in the How Do Dinosaurs series come to life in relatable and hilarious ways for young learners. From conquering first-day-of-school jitters to building friendships and fostering good manners, these lovable dinosaur companions will help students learn important lessons through simple, rhyming text and laugh-out-loud illustrations. 

Owl Diaries

Join in on the hoot-worthy adventures of Eva Wingdale, a sweet and colorful owl from Treetopolis, as she documents her experiences in her very own diary. Use The Owl Diaries to introduce early readers to themes of friendship, teamwork, forgiveness, and much more.

Pig the Pug

Dog lovers will delight in Aaron Blabey's beloved Pig the Pug series, featuring Pig, an endearing yet mischievous pug. Through his antics and mayhem, Pig always discovers the importance of kindness and honesty along the way.

The Magic School Bus

Introduce young scientists to bold and eccentric Ms. Frizzle and her magical bus! With The Magic School Bus series, readers embark on extraordinary field trips that offer a thrilling exploration of STEM topics — from earth science and space to the human body.

For more great titles to add to your classroom library, check out teachers' most-loved series for students. And shop more books featuring favorite book characters below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.
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