If you have young readers obsessed with graphic novels, you may have heard about CatNinja. This Epic Originals comic series has become a hit with kids for its mix of superhero action and goofy humor. In this parent’s guide, we’ll explain what Cat Ninja is and why kids love it, including its reading level and age suitability. We’ll also recommend 10 similar book series that capture the same fun spirit as the Cat Ninja books, so you can keep your kids excited about reading. Plus, we’ll answer frequently asked questions – like where to read Cat Ninja (hint: it’s available on Epic) and how it fits into your child’s reading journey.
What Is the Cat Ninja Series?
Cat Ninja is a children’s graphic novel series (originally published as an Epic! Original) about a lovable house cat with a secret superhero identity. Written by Matthew Cody and illustrated by Yehudi Mercado, the Cat Ninja book series delivers action-packed adventure with a big dose of humor. The story follows a pet cat named Claude who was raised by a ninja master and now lives with an unsuspecting 11-year-old owner. By day he’s a pampered indoor cat, but when trouble strikes, Claude dons his mask and springs into action as “Cat Ninja,” Metro City’s secret protector. From thwarting bank-robbing hamsters to battling villainous rats, Cat Ninja uses his “Kat Fu” skills to save the day while keeping his identity hidden.
This hilarious graphic novel series combines comic-book heroics with silly, kid-friendly comedy. As an Epic Original, Cat Ninja first launched digitally on the Epic platform in 2019, and it’s now also available as a published paperback series by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The books are full-color and episodic, with each volume containing several short “missions,” making it great for reading one story at a time.
Parents and teachers praise Cat Ninja for getting reluctant readers excited about books. The combination of superhero excitement and humorous storytelling keeps kids giggling and turning pages. Overall, Cat Ninja offers a perfect mashup of adventure and comedy in a kid-friendly graphic novel format.
Why Cat Ninja Helps Kids Read More
Many parents and teachers struggle with the same challenge: how to get kids to read willingly and consistently. The Cat Ninja series, an Epic Original graphic novel, succeeds where many traditional books fall short—by making reading feel fun, achievable, and rewarding. Here’s why Cat Ninja is especially effective at helping kids read more.
Graphic Novels Reduce Reading Resistance
For reluctant or developing readers, large blocks of text can feel intimidating. Cat Ninja’s graphic novel format lowers that barrier:
- Short dialogue bubbles instead of long paragraphs
- Visual storytelling that supports comprehension
- Action-driven scenes that keep kids engaged
Because the illustrations carry part of the story, kids feel less pressure decoding every word—they stay motivated instead of frustrated. This makes Cat Ninja an ideal choice for children who say, “I don’t like reading.”
Humor Keeps Kids Turning the Pages
Laughter is a powerful reading motivator. Cat Ninja blends superhero action with age-appropriate, silly humor—from over-the-top villains to running jokes kids love to spot again and again.
- Humor builds emotional engagement
- Kids associate reading with enjoyment, not obligation
- Funny books are more likely to be reread and shared
When kids laugh while reading, they’re far more likely to choose reading again the next day.
Recommended Cat Ninja Reading Order
The Cat Ninja book series is best read in publication order. Each volume builds on previous adventures, while still offering self-contained stories that are easy for kids to follow.
| Reading Order | Book Title | Series | Author |
| 1 | Cat Ninja | 1-5 | Matthew Cody |
| 2 | Time Heist | 6-10 | Matthew Cody |
| 3 | Welcome to the Burbs | 11-15 | Matthew Cody |
| 4 | Mystery of the Cat’s Claw | 16-24 | Matthew Cody |
| 5 | The Heart of a Hero | 25-34 | Matthew Cody |
| 6 | Cat Ninja Bonus Books | 35-37 | Matthew Cody |
| 7 | The Dog Days | 38-47 | Matthew Cody |
10 Books Similar to Cat Ninja
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
It’s hard to talk about funny graphic novels for kids without mentioning Dog Man. This mega-popular series (from the creator of Captain Underpants) follows a crime-biting canine cop who’s half dog, half man, and “ALL HERO”. With his canine head and human body, Dog Man battles bad guys in a whirlwind of slapstick humor and outrageous adventures. The books are filled with comic-style action, toilet humor, and heartwarming themes of friendship and doing good. Kids love Dog Man’s goofy antics and gross-out gags, so if your child enjoyed the superhero silliness of Cat Ninja, Dog Man is a perfect next read.
Reading level: roughly grades 2–4; ages 6~10 years.
Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey
Also by Dav Pilkey, Cat Kid Comic Club is a spin-off of the Dog Man series that will appeal to Cat Ninja fans. It stars Li’l Petey as he teaches a group of frog siblings how to make their own comics. The Cat Kid books are structured as a series of mini-comics drawn by the characters, showcasing different art styles and tons of creativity and humor. Young readers will enjoy the laugh-out-loud jokes, imaginative stories, and positive messages about self-expression.
Since Cat Kid Comic Club is in graphic novel format with short comic stories, it’s great for the same age range as Cat Ninja. Fans of Cat Ninja’s lighthearted tone will find Cat Kid just as engaging – plus it’s a way to get even more of Dav Pilkey’s trademark humor and cartoon chaos.
Reading level: roughly grades 2 and up; ages 7~9 years.
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
InvestiGators is a pun-filled action-comedy series starring two alligator secret agents named Mango and Brash. These trench-coated gators work for S.U.I.T., solve crimes, and often flush themselves down toilets to travel undercover through the sewers – a concept sure to get kids laughing. With lots of slapstick action and witty wordplay, the InvestiGators books are “action-packed fun” that keep readers on their toes.
In their first mission, the duo tackles multiple mysteries involving missing chefs and rampant robots. The series’ zany gadgets and cartoonish villains will remind kids of Cat Ninja’s over-the-top adventures. InvestiGators has been a hit with young fans of Dog Man and The Bad Guys, thanks to its full-color animal antics and clever jokes.
Reading level: roughly grades 2 – 5; ages 6~9 years.
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
The Bad Guys is an illustrated chapter-book/graphic novel hybrid that follows a crew of animal “bad guys” who decide they want to turn good.
These supposed villains embark on missions to do good deeds – whether rescuing puppies or saving the world – but things always get hilariously messy. With its high-energy illustrations and speech-bubble asides, The Bad Guys reads like a comic and is perfect for fans of Dog Man. Kids love the ironic premise and the constant humor, from goofy disguises to running gags about Snake eating Piranha.
There’s also an animated Bad Guys movie, which has boosted the series’ popularity. For Cat Ninja fans, this series offers a similar blend of action and slapstick, plus a team of funny animal characters to root for. And with over a dozen books in the series, it will keep eager readers busy for a while!
Reading level: roughly grades 2 – 5; ages 6~8 years.
Bunny vs. Monkey by Jamie Smart
This graphic novel series depicts an ongoing forest feud between a clever Bunny and a very mischievous Monkey. After Monkey crash-lands in a peaceful woods, he declares war on the forest creatures, and Bunny rises to stop him. The result is nonstop hilarious hijinks – expect gadgets going haywire, constant pranks, and absurd slapstick battles.
The Bunny vs. Monkey books are “the perfect read for humor-loving kids ages 8 to 12” with their wacky, witty, and wild style. Fans of Dog Man or InvestiGators will feel right at home with the silly tone. This series isn’t as widely known in the U.S. yet, but it’s a gem for graphic novel lovers who appreciate pure comic chaos.
Reading level: roughly grades 3 – 7; ages 8~12 years.
Max Meow by John Gallagher
The book Max Meow is another feline superhero series that pairs perfectly with Cat Ninja. Max is an ordinary cat who accidentally gains superpowers and becomes the mighty “Cat Crusader.” Along with his scientist friend Mindy (a.k.a. Science Kitty), Max fights goofy villains to protect Kittyopolis.
This series is billed as “purr-fectly awesome” and “hiss-sterically funny,” featuring a secret superhero with CAT-ITUDE. The style is very kid-friendly – think bright, cartoony panels and lots of cat puns.
There are several Max Meow volumes, each a fast-paced mix of action and humor.
Reading level: roughly grades 2 – 5; ages 6~9 years.
Lunch Lady by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
For a change of pace from animal heroes, meet the Lunch Lady – a school cafeteria cook who secretly fights crime with her kitchen gadgetry! The Lunch Lady graphic novels are a bit older but remain a favorite for their creative premise and goofy action.
Armed with tools like a spatula-copter and taco-vision night goggles, Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty take down villains ranging from crazy inventors to rival librarians, all while serving hot lunch. The tone is tongue-in-cheek and filled with comic-style “justice with sloppy joes” humor.
The Lunch Lady books emphasize teamwork and doing the right thing, wrapped in lots of exaggerated, cartoony action.
Reading level: roughly grades 2 – 6; ages 7~11 years.
Squish by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
From the sibling team behind Babymouse comes Squish, a goofy graphic novel series about an unlikely hero – a grade-school amoeba. Yes, Squish is a comic-loving, Twinkie-eating microscopic blob, but he navigates many of the same challenges as human kids.
Inspired by his favorite comic book hero “Super Amoeba,” Squish tries to be brave and do the right thing in his own life. The books blend everyday school scenarios with funny sci-fi twists (e.g. an amoeba bully or a spoiled parasite villain).
In fact, it’s described as “a graphic novel series about a comic book–loving, twinkie-eating grade school amoeba” who’s figuring out his place in the world – a premise so silly that kids can’t resist.
Reading level: roughly grades 3 – 7; ages 8~12 years.
Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires
The Binky the Space Cat is a charming graphic series that will appeal to younger readers. Binky is a house cat who imagines he’s a bold space adventurer defending his humans from aliens.
In reality, the “aliens” are insects and the “space station” is his house, but that doesn’t stop Binky from training, building a rocket ship, and getting into all sorts of comedic trouble. This series has a gentler, dry humor as we see Binky’s delusions of grandeur (like preparing for zero-gravity…with kitty litter).
Bonus: Binky’s adventures might also spark imaginative play – who knows what hero your own pet might be pretending to be?
Reading level: roughly grades 2 – 5; ages 8-10 years.
My Pet Slime by Courtney Sheinmel
Piper is allergic to real pets, so she DIYs a slime creature… which magically comes to life and becomes her best buddy. The My Pet Slime books mix everyday school and family situations with fantastical slime adventures – from secret lab experiments to rescue missions.
Kids who liked the upbeat tone and friendship in Cat Ninja will enjoy the positive vibes in My Pet Slime. It’s full of gooey humor, quirky illustrations, and lots of heartwarming moments about responsibility and acceptance.
Reading level: roughly grades 1 – 3; ages 6-9 years.
FAQ
Q: Who is the author of Cat Ninja?
A：Cat Ninja was created and primarily written by Matthew Cody, a children’s author known for fun adventure stories. Matthew Cody has written other kids’ books like the Supers of Noble’s Green trilogy and even collaborated on another Epic Original called The Bright Family.
Q: Where can my child read Cat Ninja? Is it available on Epic?
A: es – Cat Ninja is available on Epic, which is the digital library platform where the series originated. In fact, Cat Ninja is an Epic! Originals series, so all its episodes/chapters can be read within an Epic subscription (Educators can often access it for free in the classroom). If you have the Epic app or an account, simply search “Cat Ninja” to find the series page and start reading digitally. For convenience, here’s the direct link to Cat Ninja on Epic.
Aside from Epic’s digital platform, Cat Ninja is also available in print graphic novel format. Andrews McMeel Publishing has released the series as physical books (paperback and hardcover), which you can find via book retailers or libraries. So if your child prefers holding a book, you can purchase the volumes individually or look for the Cat Ninja boxed set that compiles the first few stories.
Q: What age group is Cat Ninja best for?
A: The Cat Ninja series is generally recommended for children in the 7–10 age range, roughly corresponding to grades 2–5. The publisher lists the books as suitable for Grades 1–4 (ages 7–10). Of course, every child is different – some 6-year-olds will enjoy it, and kids up to 11–12 might still find it funny. In terms of content, Cat Ninja is very kid-friendly: it features cartoon action and silly villains but no graphic violence, making it appropriate for elementary school readers.
We hope this guide has helped you learn all about Cat Ninja and given you plenty of new book recommendations to keep your young reader engaged. Happy reading, and may your family enjoy many fun-filled reading adventures!
