If you’re looking for a hilarious and lighthearted series for kids, the Captain Underpants books by Dav Pilkey are the perfect choice. Packed with humor, comics, and wild adventures, this bestselling series has entertained millions of young readers worldwide.
But with so many titles in the collection, you may wonder: Which Captain Underpants books are the best to start with? This guide will walk you through the top picks for beginners, so you or your child can jump right into George and Harold’s unforgettable adventures.
Why Start with Captain Underpants?
Before diving into specific books, it’s important to understand why this series is so popular. Captain Underpants books are written in simple, engaging language, making them great for early and middle-grade readers. The combination of comic-style illustrations, funny plots, and relatable school settings keeps kids hooked. Plus, the stories encourage creativity, imagination, and even reluctant readers to fall in love with books.
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Best Captain Underpants Books to Begin With
1. The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)
If you’re new to the series, the first book is the best place to start. It introduces George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two mischievous kids who accidentally create Captain Underpants through their hypnotized principal, Mr. Krupp.
This book sets the stage for the entire series and gives readers a taste of the quirky humor and fast-paced storytelling that defines Dav Pilkey’s work.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants - Captain Underpants Books in Order
Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets - Captain Underpants Books in Order
2. Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (1999)
Once you’ve enjoyed the first adventure, the second book takes things up a notch. George and Harold’s comic creation comes to life again, this time with a hilarious twist—talking toilets! It’s a reader favorite because of its over-the-top silliness, making it a perfect follow-up for beginners.
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3. Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (1999)
Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space is a hilarious adventure where alien lunch ladies try to take over the school.
With George, Harold, and the ever-clueless Captain Underpants, readers dive into wild humor, outrageous pranks, and nonstop action that sparks laughter throughout.
Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space - Captain Underpants Books in Order
Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants - Captain Underpants Books in Order
4. Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants (2000)
Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants (2000) is a hilarious adventure where the eccentric Professor Poopypants forces everyone to adopt silly names, creating chaos at school.
George, Harold, and the ever-heroic Captain Underpants must stop his wacky plan. Packed with humor, action, and creativity, it’s a laugh-out-loud tale kids adore.
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5. Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman (2001)
Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman by Dav Pilkey is a hilarious adventure where George and Harold accidentally turn their strict teacher, Ms. Ribble, into the villainous Wedgie Woman.
With outrageous humor, wild illustrations, and nonstop action, this book keeps readers laughing while celebrating creativity, friendship, and the endless imagination of kids.
Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman - Captain Underpants Books in Order
Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, part 1 - Captain Underpants Books in Order
6. Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1 (2003)
Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1 is a humorous, action-packed tale that combines gross-out humour and wild imagination.
This time, George and Harold’s devious antics cause havoc when Melvin Sneedly, the school prodigy, unexpectedly transforms into a monstrous bionic booger boy.
Things spiral out of control as slime, snot, and silliness take over, leaving Captain Underpants to save the day. Pilkey’s brilliant use of comic-style visuals and humorous storytelling keeps readers smiling while providing unending excitement. It’s an excellent choice for children that enjoy humour, adventure, and a little nasty fun.
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7. Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2 (2003)
Where the first part left off, Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2 (2003) picks up the comic turmoil.
The evil team of George and Harold have to contend with the terrifying Bionic Booger Boy, a hideous invention gone horribly wrong.
As Captain Underpants attempts to save the day, the adventure becomes more outrageous with slime, snot, and constant silliness. With its smart comics, laugh-out-loud moments, and Pilkey’s trademark humour, this book celebrates friendship and creativity while keeping young readers captivated. It’s hilarious, nasty, and incredibly creative—ideal for children who enjoy wild experiences.
Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2 - Captain Underpants Books in Order
Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People - Captain Underpants Books in Order
8. Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People (2006)
Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People by Dav Pilkey transports readers to a humorous parallel reality.
Captain Underpants, George, and Harold are stranded in a world where everything is upside down, including wicked twins who reign with mischief.
Packed with Pilkey’s signature sense of humour, ridiculous shenanigans, and comic-style fun, this book celebrates creativity, friendship, and the love of storytelling while delivering laugh-out-loud anarchy.
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9. Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers (2012)
Readers are taken on a humorous, time-warping journey in Dav Pilkey’s 2012 book Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers.
Tippy Tinkletrousers, George and Harold’s old foe, reappears with ludicrous devices and plots. When the boys inadvertently return to kindergarten, they face unexpected and humorous obstacles, which causes things to spin out of control.
Action, joy, and childhood memories are all expertly woven together in this book, which is full of Pilkey’s trademark humour, pictures, and outrageous turns.
Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers - Captain Underpants Books in Order
Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-boxers - Captain Underpants Books in Order
10. Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers (2013)
In the crazy, time-warping adventure Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers by Dav Pilkey, George and Harold must confront the fallout from their previous deeds.
The plot combines comedy, comic-style entertainment, and constant action with nasty enemies, enormous robots, and prehistoric danger.
For kids and anybody young at heart, this book is a humorous, imaginative journey thanks to Pilkey’s whimsical narrative, which keeps readers giggling while delivering smart twists.
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11. Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 (2014)
In the hilarious journey Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 by Dav Pilkey, George and Harold must deal with mayhem once more.
The furious Turbo Toilet 2000 is back this time, bigger and meaner than before.
The book, which celebrates creativity, friendship, and the power of imagination, keeps readers captivated with its spectacular action, crazy pictures, and Pilkey’s signature humour.
Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 - Captain Underpants Books in Order
Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Strink-A-Lot - Captain Underpants Books in Order
12. Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot (2015)
The funny twelfth book in the series is Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot (2015) by Dav Pilkey.
This time, a wicked gym teacher who has changed into the horrible Sir Stinks-A-Lot presents George and Harold with their most odious obstacle to date.
This story, which combines fart jokes with friendship, bravery, and inventiveness, is full of wild humour, oddball pictures, and epic fights. As a result, readers will remember the ending.
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Who Should Read Captain Underpants?
The Captain Underpants series is perfect for children aged 7–12, though younger readers can also enjoy it with some guidance. Parents love it because it encourages reluctant readers to pick up books, while kids love the jokes, comics, and superhero chaos.
Conclusion
Choosing the best Captain Underpants books to start with doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Begin with The Adventures of Captain Underpants and follow up with some of the funniest installments, like Attack of the Talking Toilets or Professor Poopypants.
These stories are timeless, hilarious, and perfect for sparking a lifelong love of reading. Whether you’re a parent introducing the series to your child or a young reader diving in for the first time, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure filled with laughter.
