If you’ve ever met a six-year-old with a wildly overactive imagination and a penchant for wearing a bat-wing nightgown in the middle of the day, you probably already know Dory. Or "Rascal," as her family calls her. Abby Hanlon’s creation has become a legitimate phenomenon in the world of early chapter books, bridging that awkward gap between "I can read a few words" and "I’m ready for Harry Potter." But here’s the thing: finding the right dory fantasmagory series order is actually pretty important because Dory grows—just a little bit—with every book, and the running jokes about Mary (her imaginary friend) and Mrs. Gobble Cracker (her imaginary nemesis) definitely build on each other.
Honestly, it’s rare to find a series that captures the sheer, unadulterated chaos of being the youngest sibling quite like this. Dory is constantly being ignored by her older brother Luke and sister Violet. Her solution? Creating an entire universe where she’s fighting monsters, being a puppy, or escaping the clutches of a villain who wants to steal her "baby talk." It’s weird. It’s hilarious. It’s deeply human.
The Definitive Dory Fantasmagory Series Order
Most parents and librarians just grab whatever is on the shelf at the Scholastic book fair, but if you want the full narrative arc of Dory’s "naughtiness" and her evolving relationship with her siblings, you should stick to the publication sequence.
The first book, simply titled Dory Fantasmagory, dropped in 2014 and introduced us to the core cast. We meet Mr. Nuggy, her fairy godmother (who is a man), and the aforementioned Mrs. Gobble Cracker. From there, the chaos only escalates.
Next up is Dory and the Real True Friend. This is a pivot point. Dory heads to school and has to navigate the terrifying prospect of making a friend who isn't imaginary. Enter Rosabelle. If your kid is nervous about starting first grade, this is the one to read.
Then comes Dory Dory Black Sheep. This one is a personal favorite for many because it tackles the struggle of learning to read. Dory is so preoccupied with her imagination that the "black sheep" of the alphabet starts giving her trouble. It’s relatable. It’s funny.
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Following that is Head in the Clouds. Dory gets her first loose tooth, which, in Dory-world, is a cosmic event involving more imaginary schemes.
The fifth book, Tiny Tough, sees Dory finding a new persona as a pirate. She’s looking for treasure, but mostly she’s just looking for attention from Luke and Violet.
Finally, we have Can't Check Out, where Dory deals with the horrors of the library and a lost book. It’s the most recent full-length adventure that keeps the streak of high-energy insanity alive.
Why the Order Actually Matters for Young Readers
You might think, "Hey, it’s just a kids' book, does the dory fantasmagory series order really matter?" Well, yeah. Sorta.
Abby Hanlon, who both writes and illustrates these, uses a very specific "hybrid" style. There are speech bubbles, doodles, and prose all mashed together. As the series progresses, the density of the text increases slightly. More importantly, the character development—especially between Dory and her sister Violet—softens over time. In the first book, they basically hate each other. By book four, there are tiny glimmers of sibling solidarity that make way more sense if you’ve seen them bickering for three hundred pages prior.
Kids love continuity. They love knowing who Mrs. Gobble Cracker is before she shows up in a dream sequence in book three. If you jump straight into Tiny Tough, you might wonder why this kid is talking to a sharp-toothed lady in a gingerbread house.
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A Quick Breakdown of the Vibe
- Dory Fantasmagory (2014): The Origin Story. Meet the monsters.
- Dory and the Real True Friend (2015): School life and the Rosabelle era begins.
- Dory Dory Black Sheep (2016): The struggle with reading and a sheep obsession.
- Head in the Clouds (2018): Tooth fairy drama and a whole lot of "flying."
- Tiny Tough (2020): Pirate adventures and sibling bonding (finally).
- Can't Check Out (2023): Library chaos and the mystery of the missing book.
What Makes Abby Hanlon's World So Different?
The market is flooded with "funny" chapter books. You’ve got Junie B. Jones, Ivy + Bean, and Clementine. All great. But Dory feels different because it leans into the surreal.
Dory’s imagination isn't just a hobby; it's her reality. When she’s a dog, she’s a dog. She will eat off the floor. She will bark at the mailman. Hanlon captures the way kids don't just "play pretend"—they inhabit roles. It’s also one of the few series that doesn't talk down to kids. The vocabulary is surprisingly sophisticated in spots, yet the humor is grounded in things six-year-olds find hysterical, like toilet paper and soup.
The illustrations are the secret sauce. They aren't just decorations; they tell half the story. If you look closely at the background of the drawings, you’ll see the "real" world happening while Dory’s "imaginary" world is rendered in the same weight and style. It’s a brilliant way to show how a child perceives their environment.
Navigating the "Middle Grade" Transition
A lot of parents use the dory fantasmagory series order as a bridge. Once a kid finishes these six books, they are usually ready for more complex middle-grade novels. But often, they don't want to leave Dory behind.
The sweet spot for these books is ages 6 to 9. However, I’ve seen 10-year-olds cracking up at them because the sibling dynamics are so spot-on. Luke and Violet aren't "mean" in a way that feels dark; they’re just older siblings who are tired of their little sister's nonsense. That’s a universal truth.
If you’re looking to purchase these, look for the box sets. They usually cover the first three or four books. It’s cheaper, and honestly, once a kid finishes the first one, they’re going to demand the second one immediately. Be prepared for that.
Actionable Tips for Parents and Educators
If you're ready to dive into the dory fantasmagory series order, here is how to make the most of it:
- Read the first book aloud. Even if your child can read, the first book sets the tone for the "voices" of the characters. Dory’s frantic energy is best captured with an expressive narrator.
- Track the "Real" vs. "Imaginary." Ask your kid what is actually happening in the room versus what Dory sees. It’s a great exercise in reading comprehension and perspective.
- Don't skip the pictures. There are visual jokes hidden in the margins that aren't mentioned in the text.
- Check the copyright dates. If you find a "new" Dory book at a thrift store, check the list above. People often confuse the spin-off materials or activity books with the main narrative entries.
- Look for the hardcover versions for longevity. These books get read a lot. The paperbacks tend to lose their covers after the fifth or sixth reread.
The magic of Dory isn't just in the jokes. It’s in the validation of childhood weirdness. We spend so much time trying to get kids to "act right" or "be serious," and then Dory comes along and reminds everyone that having a fairy godmother named Mr. Nuggy is a perfectly valid way to spend an afternoon.
Start with the 2014 original. Follow the trail of crumbs through the school halls with Rosabelle, and end up at the library with a bunch of overdue fines. It’s a wild ride, but it’s one of the best journeys in modern children's literature.