Head-to-head
The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! vs Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom
Both are graphic novel series for ages 6-9 with action and humor, but Bad Guys focuses on reformed villains while Hilo features a mysterious sci-fi protagonist.
The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh!
by Aaron Blabey
Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom
by Judd Winick
Score comparison
| Score | The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! | Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Score | 76 | 72 | The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! (+4) |
| Parent Score | 55 | 57 | Tied |
| Teacher Score | 50 | 52 | Tied |
✓ 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
✓ Hilo Book 3: The Great Big Boom — perfect for
- •Kids who love action-packed graphic novels with heart. Readers who enjoyed Dog Man's humor will find similar laughs here
- •but with deeper emotional stakes and a protagonist wrestling with questions about identity and choice.
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 72) — 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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