InvestiGators
Two alligator secret agents solve mysteries, like an exploding cupcake, while traveling through sewers. This book rewards careful reading with heavy use of puns, making it a great way to encourage kids to look at the words.
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green is estimated to take about 78.5 minutes to read aloud (8,472 words, about 3 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 6-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 78.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 8,472Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 3Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 6-8Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a significant step up in length and complexity compared to earlier graphic novels. While it uses puns that a seven-year-old can grasp, the humor is more linguistic than purely visual.
It’s a great choice for a child who has mastered Dog Man and needs something a bit more substantial. Just be prepared—the pun density can be quite intense for an adult reading aloud.
Before you buy it
This is a significant step up from Dog Man, with more words and a higher ATOS. Wait until they've finished Bad Guys before starting this. It's also very pun-heavy for adults and the plot is a bit complex for a six-year-old to follow.
Themes
- comics
- spies
- mystery
- alligators
- wordplay
Books like InvestiGators
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Bad Guysabout 22.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Dog Manabout 47 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Cat Kid Comic Clubabout 45 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earthabout 50.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Seaabout 9 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read InvestiGators aloud?
About 78.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 8,472. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is InvestiGators actually for?
Ages 6-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 3 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does InvestiGators survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise InvestiGators?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read InvestiGators on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 3 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
Is InvestiGators part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the InvestiGators series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does InvestiGators cover?
We tag it with comics, spies, mystery, alligators and wordplay. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
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