dog man unleashed book review

Dog Man Unleashed

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

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BOOK REVIEW: Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey

written by David Steffen

Dog Man Unleashed is a 2016 graphic novel for kids, the sequel to the popular Dog Man graphic novel, previously reviewed here . In this novel, Dog Man (half dog half policeman) is facing off against both old villains (like Petey the Cat) and new: a telekinetic fish, another Petey made out of paper.

This is another solid addition to the series, very appealing to early grade school kids especially! Great for helping kids learn to read by giving them something to be excited about! Very fun! Dav Pilkey has a great sense of humor for kids!

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David Steffen

David Steffen is an editor, publisher, and writer. If you like what he does you can visit the Support page or buy him a coffee ! He is probably best known for being co-founder and administrator of The Submission Grinder , a donation-supported tool to help writers track their submissions and find publishers for their work . David is also the editor-in-chief here at Diabolical Plots . He is also the editor and publisher of The Long List Anthology: More Stories From the Hugo Award Nomination List series. David also (sometimes) writes fiction, and you can follow on BlueSky for updates on cross-stitch projects and occasionally other things. View all posts by David Steffen

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Book Review: Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey : A Fun-Filled Sequel Packed with Humor and Heart

Updated: Dec 8

Dav Pilkey’s "Dog Man Unleashed,"  the second book in the highly popular Dog Man  series, delivers even more fun, action, and laughs for young readers. Building on the success of the first installment, this sequel dives deeper into Dog Man’s world with new adventures, inventive plot twists, and Pilkey’s trademark humor. Whether you're new to the series or a fan of the original Dog Man  book, Unleashed  is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

Plot and Structure:

The story opens with a lighthearted mission—planning a surprise birthday party for the police chief. But as always, things take a chaotic turn as Dog Man and his team are pulled into a series of wild adventures. From the escape of Petey the Cat  to the introduction of an evil fish and a mysterious new thief in town, the plot keeps readers on their toes with fast-paced, unpredictable twists.

Pilkey continues the episodic format, dividing the book into short, engaging chapters. This structure is perfect for young or reluctant readers, allowing them to enjoy bite-sized chunks of the story without feeling overwhelmed.

Character Development:

Dog Man  remains a lovable hero, and in this book, we see more of his endearing personality. With his unique combination of human intelligence and canine instincts, Dog Man’s good-hearted attempts to help often lead to amusing mishaps. His distractibility and loyalty make him relatable and amusing to readers.

The series' main antagonist, Petey the Cat , also gets more character development. His antics, including creating a “Flat Petey” decoy, add depth to his character and create exciting setups for future stories.

Humor and Creativity:

Pilkey excels at blending slapstick humor with clever wordplay, making Dog Man Unleashed  a hit for all ages. The book is filled with silly puns, visual jokes, and ridiculous scenarios that will leave kids giggling. Whether it’s the police chief using “Brain Dots” to become smarter or Dog Man saving the day in his own goofy way, Pilkey’s creativity knows no bounds.

One of the most memorable features is Pilkey’s Flip-O-Rama , where readers can flip between two pages to create a simple animated effect. This interactive element adds an extra layer of fun, making the book even more engaging.

Artistic Style:

Pilkey’s vibrant and dynamic art style is a perfect match for the book’s energetic tone. The bold lines, expressive characters, and hand-drawn quality of the illustrations bring the story to life, making each scene pop with personality. The comic-book feel is accessible and fun for young readers, allowing them to follow the action effortlessly.

Themes and Messages:

While Dog Man Unleashed  focuses primarily on entertaining its readers, it also touches on important themes, such as:

Teamwork and Friendship : The characters work together to solve problems, showing kids the value of collaboration.

Problem-Solving : Dog Man’s unconventional methods encourage readers to approach challenges creatively.

Acceptance of Differences : The diverse cast of characters, including Dog Man himself (a hybrid human-dog), promotes acceptance of others, no matter how different they may be.

Educational Value:

While Dog Man Unleashed  is primarily a source of entertainment, it offers subtle educational benefits:

Vocabulary Building : Pilkey sprinkles advanced vocabulary throughout the book, often using humor or illustrations to explain new words.

Visual Literacy : The graphic novel format helps children improve their ability to read and interpret information through pictures.

Encouraging Reluctant Readers : The fun, fast-paced style of the book makes it a great choice for children who might be hesitant to pick up a traditional novel.

Critical Reception:

Since its release, Dog Man Unleashed  has received glowing reviews from children, parents, and educators alike. Many praise its humor, creative storyline, and ability to engage young readers—especially those who might not typically enjoy reading. Although some critics feel that the plot is more sprawling than in the first book, this expanded narrative lays the groundwork for future adventures and gives Pilkey room to explore new ideas.

Conclusion:

"Dog Man Unleashed"  is a fantastic follow-up to the first Dog Man  book, maintaining the same level of humor and heart while expanding the world in exciting new ways. Dav Pilkey's unique storytelling style, which blends comic art, silly jokes, and meaningful messages, continues to capture the imaginations of young readers.

The book might not offer deep life lessons, but its ability to foster a love of reading—especially in kids who are reluctant readers—is truly invaluable. Dog Man Unleashed  proves that books can be as fun as they are meaningful, and it leaves readers eager for the next installment. With its goofy charm, creative plot twists, and interactive elements, this book is sure to be a hit in any child’s library.

Final Thoughts:

"Dog Man Unleashed"  is a testament to the power of fun, accessible storytelling. By blending humor, creativity, and lovable characters, Dav Pilkey has created a series that not only entertains but also helps young readers develop important literacy skills. For parents and educators looking for a book that will engage kids while teaching them valuable lessons about teamwork and problem-solving, Dog Man Unleashed  is a must-read.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What age group is Dog Man Unleashed  suitable for? The book is ideal for children aged 7 to 10, though older readers will also enjoy its humor and adventure.

Do I need to read the first Dog Man  book to enjoy this one? While it helps to read the first book for context, Dog Man Unleashed  can be enjoyed on its own.

What is the Flip-O-Rama  feature? Flip-O-Rama is a fun, interactive part of the book where readers can flip between two pages to create a simple animation.

Is this book good for reluctant readers? Yes, the graphic novel format and humorous content make Dog Man Unleashed  a great choice for reluctant readers.

What are the key themes in Dog Man Unleashed ? The book promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and acceptance of differences while keeping the tone light and fun.

How does Dog Man Unleashed  compare to the first book? The second book expands on the world of Dog Man, introducing new characters and adventures while maintaining the charm of the first.

Who is the main villain in this installment? Petey the Cat is the main antagonist, though new characters and threats also emerge in this book.

Is there any educational value in the book? Yes, the book helps with vocabulary building, visual literacy, and encourages creative problem-solving.

Does the book have any interactive elements? Yes, the Flip-O-Rama feature allows readers to interact with the story in a fun and engaging way.

Will there be more Dog Man  books? Yes, Dog Man  is a series, and new books continue to be released regularly.

• Children's / YA Book Recommendation

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Kid reviews of, dog man unleashed: dog man, book 2.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 4 Reviews
• Kids Say 18 Reviews

Based on 18 kid reviews

Kid Reviews

This title has:

• Great messages
• Too much violence
• Too much swearing
• Too much consumerism

Report this review

The worst graphic-novel ever.

• Great role models

Bad artwork, even worse plot

Dog man strikes again, i read more than 100 times is still entertaining.

• Educational value

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Home / Find a book / Dog Man 2- Unleashed

Dog Man 2- Unleashed

By Dav Pilkey, and and, Dav Pilkey

938 reviews

If only the Chief would throw Dog Man a bone every once in a while… Petey the cat is out of the bag, and his criminal curiosity is taking the city by storm. Can the canine crime biter unleash justice on this ruffian in time to save the city, or will Petey get away with the purrfect crime?

I liked dog man the best and I would recommend it to people under 12

I found this book very fun because I love comics so yeh it is just amazing as a whole

The person I liked the most was chief. He is a good character, because he is really helpful.

LOL love it some how i love reading but hate other books lol like the short ones

Really good. I'd recommend it. I love comic books

This was another funny book. I really love Dav Pilkey books.

I like this book because there is a lot of villains to defeat. My favourite character is Flat Petey because he’s funny. I would recommend this book.

I enjoyed reading this book. I like the pictures and the action. I like how all the Dog Man series of books are funny.

I enjoyed the comic book style of this book. It was very easy to read but had some funny bits

I had much adventure and funny times reading Dog Man. Dog Man is a fiction book because the characters are made up. Dog Man is my favourite character because he is very funny.

I would recommend this book to my friends.

I like Dogman. It's so funny. I like the pictures. I like to draw

Dog Man is still learning a few tricks of the trade. Petey the Cat is out of the bag, and his criminal curiosity is taking the city by storm. Something fishy is going on! Can Dog Man unleash justice on this ruffian in time to save the city, or will Petey get away with the purr-fect crime?

I recommend this book to children aged 5 to 10

This is my favourite graphic novel. I would recommend it because it is fun to read.

It is very funny

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was again so so funny just like all the other dog man books. I really enjoyed reading this and getting to know a bit more about Dog man so I hope to read more dog man books again this story was really good in the way of how there was so many different Scenes to read about and I love the All the characters

It was very romantic when dog man kissed zuzu

I wish I could give it a sixth star!!! It was even better than the first one; it even had a bonus comic at the end. I really liked Zuzu the dog because she was really cute! I wonder why Dog man didn't like baths...

I loved this book

So funny , I enjoyed this book a lot.

This book is great. I would definitely recommend it if you were someone looking for a funny book full of action.

I liked that Dog Man licks all the bones in the pet shop and that he lies down on the fish bones.

I liked Flat Petty and the Floppy Fish characters. I liked that the fish went evil when brain tablets fell in to its fish bowl.

I liked it because there was Flat Petey and Petey. Yes I would recommend it.

I loved the bit at the start with the cop and the dog!

Just so funny and witty and clever.

has a fun story

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Spaghetti Book Club - Book Reviews by Kids for Kids

Dog man unleashed.

Written by Dav Pilkey

Reviewed by Alex A. (age 8)

Have you ever met a dog who turned out to be a hero? In Dog Man Unleashed, Dog Man finds out from the sheriff that Flat Petey has taken the town’s money. Something must be done and Dog Man tries to save the town! Does Dog Man save the town? You will have to read this book to find out the rest.

I think the characters are heroes because the most important character, is Dog Man because he saved everyone from Flat Petey.I had a connection to this character because in first grade I dressed up in jobs we want to be when we grow up. I dressed up as a mail man. In this story Dog Man dressed up like a police officer. This book was very funny. Dog Man does silly things.

I think other kids should read this book because Dog Man is a hero and if you like a story about a hero who saves people from Flat Petey and Flat Petey tries to get everyone’s money. Children who like a good crime fighting story will enjoy this book. They will see the hero in action save people from flat Petey.

COMMENTS: Please be sure to include three opinions with supportive details/examples.