Head-to-head
Babymouse #3: Beach Babe vs The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh!
Both are graphic novels for ages 6-9 with heart and humor, but Babymouse is girl-focused romantic comedy while Bad Guys is absurdist animal buddy comedy.
Babymouse #3: Beach Babe
by Jennifer L. Holm
The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh!
by Aaron Blabey
Score comparison
| Score | Babymouse #3: Beach Babe | The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Score | 61 | 76 | The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! (+15) |
| Parent Score | 54 | 55 | Tied |
| Teacher Score | 54 | 50 | Babymouse #3: Beach Babe (+4) |
✓ Babymouse #3: Beach Babe — perfect for
- •Reluctant readers who need a visual, funny entry point into books
- •Girls ages 7-9 who enjoy humor and imagination
- •Kids who love graphic novels and want a female protagonist
- •Summer reading lists and beach-themed classroom units
✓ The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! — perfect for
- •Kids 8-10 already hooked on The Bad Guys series
- •Fans of the 2022 DreamWorks movie who want more chaos
- •Reluctant readers who need visual humor to stay engaged
- •Kids who love Dog Man, Captain Underpants, and Wimpy Kid
- •Readers who enjoy absurdist cartoon multiverses
Our take
There's no universal winner here — the right pick depends on who's reading. The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! scores higher with kids (76 vs 61) — better if your goal is "my kid actually wants to read it."
Still not sure? Take the 2-minute SPARK quiz — we'll pick the one that fits your specific kid's reading personality.
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