If your child loves fast-paced stories packed with heroes, villains, funny twists, and even a dog in a police uniform, then Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav Pilkey is one to add to your bookshelf.

My 10-year-old son read this one entirely on his own — and let’s just say, it was an instant hit in our house.

A Quick Summary

In this latest Dog Man adventure, the fleas are back — this time disguised as a group called the Friendly Friends. But it doesn’t take long before chaos strikes again. Piggy, the villain of the story, starts controlling the fleas to do whatever he wants, and it’s up to Dog Man and his team to step in and save the day.

According to my son, “It’s something you can just read and read and read again.”

What Makes It So Good?

The story is full of action, humour, and a little bit of ridiculousness — in the best possible way. Piggy makes a fantastic villain, and as my son put it, “I love a good villain, and he’s not too positive.”

He’s still holding out hope for a return of the “evil Petey” character from earlier books, though — apparently, Petey has become “a bit too kind and floppy” for his liking!

One of his favourite moments in the book comes towards the end, when the characters face a dramatic situation but stay calm and brave, saying goodbye to one another rather than panicking. “It’s probably the best bit,” he said, “because they’re just fine with it.”

Why Kids Love It

Dog Man books are written in a comic book style, which makes them super easy to get into. The stories are fun, fast, and genuinely funny, keeping kids hooked from start to finish.

My son didn’t find any confusing parts and didn’t feel like he was “learning” anything — which he actually saw as a good thing! “It makes it readable for all kids,” he explained.

When asked what food this book would be if it were on a menu, his answer was perfect:
“It’s chicken nuggets — because it never gets old, whether you’re 2 or 54.”

A Parent’s Perspective

As a parent, I can honestly say the Dog Man series has been brilliant for encouraging reading in our house. The books are colourful, visual, and full of humour — and they’ve kept my son excited about reading, which is no small feat!

He’s read this one multiple times already and still laughs at the same parts. That, to me, says it all.

Final Thoughts

Funny, imaginative, and full of heart, Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea is perfect for kids who love a bit of silliness mixed with superhero-style storytelling.

Or, in my son’s words:
“I’d recommend it to all ages because it’s readable, funny, and just an all-round good book.”

If your child hasn’t tried the Dog Man series yet, this is a great place to start — and if they already love it, this latest instalment won’t disappoint.

Want to hear more book reviews straight from kids? Check out our Kids’ Book Reviews section for more brilliant reads from real young readers.