Age rating and parents' guide:The Bad Guys
by Aaron Blabey
Ages 6–8
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey is best for children aged 6–8. It has mild violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Mild cartoon mischief.
Mr. Wolf is tired of being seen as a scary villain, so he rounds up a crew of other misunderstood predators—including Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, and Mr. Shark—to do good deeds. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Mild cartoon mischief
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Graphic novel
- Part of the The Bad Guys series
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Pictures on almost every page
- Emotionally light
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Humor & Comedy
- Art & drawing
- Friendship
Reading mood
- Funny
- Thoughtful
Good to talk about
- Friendship
- Emotions & empathy
Before you choose
A closer look for your reader
Age is a starting point. Reading confidence, interests and comfort with the story matter too.
Reading fit
Large drawings, speech and short stretches of text work together in this graphic chapter story. Try a few pages and ask your child to tell you what the characters are trying to do.
Worth a conversation
The first book follows animals trying to change their bad reputations. Expect comic action and rude jokes. A funny picture can still feel intense to a sensitive reader, so preview the actual pages together.
Where to start
Begin with The Bad Guys, book 1, by Aaron Blabey, then The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckable. Original and full-colour editions exist; the movie novelizations are separate books.
Try a little book chat
After reading a little together, ask: “What makes someone a good guy here: how they look, what they say, or what they do?”
Let your child explain their idea. You can share a different view without turning it into a test.
See how our reading mentors use conversation →A story worth talking about
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This guide introduces the original first book. Later missions, movie novelizations and activity books can differ.
Book and story source: Scholastic’s Bad Guys books and editions. Age ranges and content ratings are Bookstaken’s catalogue guidance.
Also checked: Scholastic’s series reading order.
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On these book lists
Questions parents ask
Q: What age is The Bad Guys for?
Q: Is The Bad Guys appropriate for a 6 year old?
Q: Is The Bad Guys part of a series?
Q: What should my child read after The Bad Guys?
Q: Which Bad Guys book should my child start with?
Q: Is The Bad Guys book the same as the movie?
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