Dav Pilkey

Dav Pilkey at a book event in 2018

Dav Pilkey

David Murray "Dav" Pilkey Jr. (born March 4, 1966) is an American author and illustrator of children's literature. He is best known for his Captain Underpants series, which has been translated into multiple languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

Early Life

Dav Pilkey was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child, which made his early school years challenging. Despite these difficulties, Pilkey found solace in drawing and creating stories. His teachers often reprimanded him for his doodling, but his parents encouraged his creativity.

Career

Pilkey's first book, World War Won, won a national competition in 1986, which led to its publication. He continued to write and illustrate children's books, but it was the Captain Underpants series that brought him widespread fame. The first book in the series, The Adventures of Captain Underpants, was published in 1997.

Captain Underpants Series

The Captain Underpants series follows the adventures of two fourth graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, who create a comic book about a superhero named Captain Underpants. The series is known for its humor, engaging illustrations, and interactive elements like "Flip-O-Rama." The books have been adapted into a feature film, an animated television series, and a musical.

Other Works

In addition to Captain Underpants, Pilkey has created several other popular series, including Dog Man, The Dumb Bunnies, and Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot. Each of these series showcases Pilkey's unique blend of humor and heart, appealing to young readers and encouraging a love of reading.

Personal Life

Pilkey lives with his wife, Sayuri, in Bainbridge Island, Washington. He continues to write and illustrate books, often drawing inspiration from his own childhood experiences and challenges.

Awards and Recognition

Pilkey has received numerous awards for his contributions to children's literature, including the Caldecott Honor for his book The Paperboy. His work is celebrated for its ability to engage reluctant readers and for its positive messages about creativity and perseverance.

Bibliography

• World War Won (1987)
• The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)
• Dog Man series
• The Dumb Bunnies series
• Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series

See Also

• Children's literature
• List of children's book series
• List of authors of children's books