The Bad Guys
A group of animals—including a wolf, shark, and piranha—attempt to become heroes by saving dogs. It’s the shortest, easiest way to enter this series, using quick-paced, two-tone cartoon panels and lots of dialogue.
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey is estimated to take about 22.5 minutes to read aloud (2,311 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 5-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 22.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 2,311Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 5/5still good at forty
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 5-8Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a fast-moving, visual experience. Because it is less than half the length of a typical Dog Man book, it is an excellent entry point for readers who might get intimidated by a thicker volume.
The style relies on shouted dialogue and expressive character panels to drive the story. It’s an ideal choice for a child looking for a quick win that still feels like a "real" chapter book.
Before you buy it
The story ends on a cliffhanger, so you'll definitely need the second book for any resolution. Some parents might find the shark's cross-dressing gags a bit dated, and there is a running joke about a guinea pig being eaten.
Themes
- comics
- wolves
- sharks
- friendship
- silly
Books like The Bad Guys
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckableabout 34.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Dog Manabout 47 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
InvestiGatorsabout 78.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Seaabout 9 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Pizza and Taco: Who's the Best?about 8.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read The Bad Guys aloud?
About 22.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 2,311. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is The Bad Guys actually for?
Ages 5-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does The Bad Guys survive being read on repeat?
Yes - this is one of the few that is still fine on the fortieth reading, which is why it scores 5 out of 5 with us.
Will my child memorise The Bad Guys?
It can. It scores 5 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 The Bad Guys on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 2 sentences a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
Is The Bad Guys part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the The Bad Guys 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 The Bad Guys cover?
We tag it with comics, wolves, sharks, friendship and silly. 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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