Dav Pilkey

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Dav Pilkey
Dav Pilkey at a book event in 2018.jpg
Pilkey at a book event in 2018
BornDavid Murray Pilkey Jr.
(1966-03-04) March 4, 1966 (age 58)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Pen nameDav Pilkey
Occupation
  • Writer
  • illustrator
  • cartoonist
GenreChildren's literature, comedy.
Years active1987–present
Notable works Dragon series
Captain Underpants series
Dog Man series
Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series
Dumb Bunnies series
Spouse
Sayuri Pilkey
(m. 2005)
Signature
Dav Pilkey signature.svg
Website
pilkey.com

David Murray "Dav" Pilkey Jr. ( /ˈdv/ ; born March 4, 1966) [1] is an American cartoonist, author, and illustrator of children's literature. He is best known as the author and illustrator of the children's book series, Captain Underpants , and its spin-off children's graphic novel series Dog Man , the latter published under the respective writer and illustrator pen names of George Beard and Harold Hutchins, which are also the names of the two protagonists of the Captain Underpants series.

Contents

Life and career

Pilkey speaks in 2019. Dav Pilkey (48904578632).jpg
Pilkey speaks in 2019.

Pilkey was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 4, 1966, to the Reverend David Pilkey, Sr. and Barbara who was the church organist. [2] [3] He has one older sister. Pilkey was brought up in a conservative Christian household and went to Christian schools throughout his life.

Pilkey was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia as a child. [4] In elementary school in Elyria, Ohio, Pilkey was frequently reprimanded for his behavior in class and thus usually sat at a desk in the school hallway, where he created the Captain Underpants character. [5] In 1987, Pilkey wrote his first book, World War Won, an allegorical fable inspired by the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, in a national competition for student authors and won in his age category. The book's publication in 1987 was included in the award. [2]

The atypical spelling of his first name came when the "e" in "Dave" was left off his name tag while working at Pizza Hut. [6]

Pilkey graduated from Kent State University. [7] He married Sayuri Pilkey in 2005. [8]

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby was published in 2002 and was Pilkey's first full complete graphic novel. It appeared at No. 6 on the USA Today bestseller list for all books, both adult and children's, and was also a New York Times bestselling book for Children's Middle Grade. The first Super Diaper Baby graphic novel was published with Scholastic years before Scholastic created the Graphix imprint. [9]

Pilkey took a break from writing for a few years to care for his terminally ill father (who died on November 13, 2008), but in 2009 agreed with Scholastic to publish four new books. [10] [11] The first two are graphic novels: The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future , released on August 10, 2010; and Super Diaper Baby 2: Invasion of the Potty Snatchers , released on June 28, 2011. Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Re-turn of Tippy Tinkletrousers was released on August 28, 2012, Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers was released on January 15, 2013, Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 was released on August 26, 2014, and Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was released on August 25, 2015. Additionally, twelve Dog Man novels have been published since August 30, 2016.

Pilkey and his wife live on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

On March 25, 2021, Dav Pilkey announced on his YouTube channel that he and Scholastic would cease further publication of his book The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, and would remove it from retailers and libraries, in response to a 289-signature petition claiming a character in the book to be a stereotype. [12] [13] [14] This removal would be heavily criticised by media, in particular The New York Post , who praised the novel as "a prime example of a positive portrayal of an Asian character in literature [who is] endearing and full of wisdom", [15] and refuting the logic of the petition's creator as itself being biased against Chinese people, with Reason calling the novel "charming, not racist", citing "Pilkey's whole gag [as] the censorial impulse [being] ridiculous and kids instinctively know[ing] it should be mocked", [16] calling for the novel's republication amongst a list of books banned in America in August 2022. [17]

Publications

Dragon Series

The Dragon series was originally published with Orchard Books. Scholastic then reprinted the series in 2019. Dav Pilkey used watercolors purchased at a local grocery store to paint the illustrations in these books. The series became a stop-motion animation TV show with 78 episodes from 2004 to 2007.

Dumb Bunnies

Pilkey authored The Dumb Bunnies series using the pseudonym, Sue Denim.

Captain Underpants

Captain Underpants spin-offs

Pilkey authored the Super Diaper Baby books and Ook and Gluk under the pseudonyms George Beard and Harold Hutchins, to be authentic to the book's theme.

Dog Man

Dog Man is also a spin-off of Captain Underpants.

Cat Kid Comic Club

Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot

Big Dog & Little Dog

Other books

Awards

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<i>Captain Underpants</i> Childrens novel series by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants is an illustrated children's graphic novel series by American author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. The series revolves around two fourth graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, living in Piqua, Ohio, and Captain Underpants, an aptly named superhero from one of the boys' homemade comic books, who accidentally becomes real when George and Harold hypnotize their cruel, bossy, and ill-tempered principal, Mr. Krupp. From the third book onwards, Mr. Krupp also possesses superhuman strength, durability and flight as a result of drinking alien "Extra-Strength Super Power Juice".

<i>The Adventures of Captain Underpants</i> 1997 novel by Dav Pilkey

The Adventures of Captain Underpants is an American children's novel by Dav Pilkey, and the inaugural novel of the Captain Underpants series. It was published in September 1997, becoming a hit with children around the world. In the novel, George Beard and Harold Hutchins turn their principal, Mr. Krupp, into the "greatest superhero of all time", The Amazing Captain Underpants. It has spawned many sequels and subseries such as Super Diaper Baby, Dog Man, and The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future.

<i>Ricky Ricottas Mighty Robot</i> Novel series by Dav Pilkey

Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot is a series of children's graphic novels written by Dav Pilkey and first seven books illustrated by Martin Ontiveros and all nine books, including two long-awaited sequels, illustrated by Dan Santat. In each book, Ricky Ricotta, a mouse, with the help of his mighty robot, saves the world from an evil villain. Also, the books each have an alien animal from a different planet in order from closest-to-sun to farthest-from-sun including Earth, as the villain of the first book is from Earth. The reader could see the villains being jailed in each series and later notice the familiar villains from previous books.

Cynthia Rylant is an American author and librarian. She has written more than 100 children's books, including works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Several of her books have won awards, including her novel Missing May, which won the 1993 Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, which was a 1987 Newbery Honor book. Two of her books are Caldecott Honor Books.

The Dumb Bunnies is a series of books created by Dav Pilkey, the author of Captain Underpants, under the pseudonym "Sue Denim". They involve the adventures of a dumb family of bunnies. The Dumb Bunnies did everything in reverse, including sleeping under beds and putting flowers upside down in vases.

<i>Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets</i> 1999 novel by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets is an American children's book by Dav Pilkey, another second book in the Captain Underpants book series. It was published on February 1, 1999. It marks the first appearance of the Turbo Toilet 2000, the Talking Toilets, and the Incredible Robo-Plunger, as well as George and Harold's nerdy tattletale nemesis Melvin Sneedly.

<i>Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds)</i> 1999 book by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds) is the third book of the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. The series of American children's books are about two fourth graders, George and Harold, and their mean principal Mr. Krupp, who can turn into Captain Underpants. It was published on September 1, 1999. It is the first book to feature the use of 'Extra-Strength Super Power Juice' (an invention of Zorx, Klax, and Jennifer, the antagonists of the book), which is used to give Captain Underpants superpowers later in the book.

<i>Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman</i> Book by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman is the fifth book in the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. It was published on August 29, 2001. It features the reformation of George and Harold's formerly cruel teacher, Ms. Ribble, at the end using the 3-D Hypno Ring through reverse psychology, because the ring causes females to do the opposite of what the bearers of the ring force them to do.

<i>Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy</i> Book by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy are the sixth and seventh books in the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. The first part was published on August 1, 2003, and the second part was published on September 30, 2003. The books feature the debut of George and Harold's new pets Sulu and Crackers who first appeared in the first and second parts respectively. The second part also features the debut of time travel in the series, which would become a core theme of the series later on.

<i>The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby</i> 2002 childrens novel by Dav Pilkey

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby is an American children's novel by Dav Pilkey, created as a spin-off of Pilkey's Captain Underpants series. It was published on February 5, 2002. The plot of the book involves a baby named Billy who gains superpowers shortly after birth. Billy teams up with a super-powered dog, Diaper Dog, to fight Diaper Dog's former master, a sentient piece of feces named Deputy Dangerous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Santat</span> American childrens illustrator and writer (born 1975)

Dan Santat is an American author and illustrator known for his children's book The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, which won the 2015 Caldecott Medal for distinguished illustration. He also wrote The Guild of Geniuses and created the Disney Channel animated series The Replacements. He was awarded the 2023 National Book Award for A First Time for Everything.

<i>Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Re-Turn of Tippy Tinkletrousers</i> Book by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers is a 2012 American children's novel and the ninth book in the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. It was published on August 28, 2012, six years after the publication of the previous book. Tippy Tinkletrousers is actually Professor Poopypants, as revealed in the previous book. This book explains how Tippy Tinkletrousers arrived at the end of the eighth book, as well as a prequel story of George and Harold in kindergarten explaining how their friendship began and setting the page for their life before Captain Underpants.

<i>The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future</i> Book by Dav Pilkey

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future is a graphic novel by Dav Pilkey, the second spin-off of the Captain Underpants series. The book is credited to Captain Underpants characters "George Beard" as the author and "Harold Hutchins" as the illustrator.

Events in 1966 in animation.

<i>Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot</i> Book by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot is the twelfth and final book in the Captain Underpants series, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. The book continues after the eleventh book as George, Harold, and their clones switch places, only to find their gym teacher Mr. Meaner has become Sir Stinks-A-Lot, who turns his students into slaves. The boys team up with their adult counterparts to save the world.

<i>Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie</i> 2017 superhero film directed by David Soren

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is a 2017 American animated superhero comedy film based on Dav Pilkey's children's novel series Captain Underpants, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It was directed by David Soren from a screenplay by Nicholas Stoller, and stars the voices of Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Thomas Middleditch, Nick Kroll, Jordan peele, and Kristen Schaal. The film was released during the 20th anniversary of the Captain Underpants series. In the film, fourth-grade pranksters George and Harold hypnotize their humorless principal Mr. Krupp into thinking he is a superhero named Captain Underpants. The movie loosely adapts the first, second, fourth, and eleventh Captain Underpants books.

<i>The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants</i> American animated comedy television series

The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants is an American animated television series produced by DreamWorks Animation Television. Developed for television by Peter Hastings and Mark Banker, it is a sequel to the 2017 feature film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, based on the Captain Underpants book series by Dav Pilkey.

Dog Man is an upcoming 2025 American animated superhero comedy film based on Dav Pilkey's children's comic book series of the same name, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. A spin-off and story within a story of Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), it is being directed by The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (2018–2020) developer and executive producer Peter Hastings.

<i>The Paperboy</i> (childrens book) 1996 picture book by Dav Pilkey

The Paperboy is a 1996 children's picture book by American author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. Inspired by Pilkey's own experiences as a paperboy, it tells the story of a paperboy and his dog as they deliver newspapers in the early hours of the morning. The Paperboy received positive reviews from critics and was awarded a 1997 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.

References

  1. Pilkey.com Archived February 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 "Dav Pilkey". Ohio Authors Online. Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. 2003. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  3. "5 things you may not know about 'Captain Underpants' author Dav Pilkey". TODAY.com. June 6, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  4. "Writer Dav Pilkey says having dyslexia was a blessing". The Straits Times. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  5. Nissen, Beth (July 11, 2000). "Captain Underpants: The straight poop on a grossly entertaining series of children's books". CNN. Archived from the original on July 30, 2003. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  6. "Super Humor: Tales of an 'Under' Achiever" . Washington Post. July 3, 2002. p. C18. ProQuest   409295767.
  7. "Meet Dav." Dav Pilkey Official Website. April 17, 2003. Retrieved on August 14, 2019.
  8. "The Almost Completely True Adventures of Dav Pilkey." Dav Pilkey Official Website. September 3, 2012. Retrieved on August 14, 2018. "The man behind "Captain Underpants"". CBS News . September 17, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2018. Dav dreams up those funny books at the home he shares with his wife, Sayuri, on a picturesque point on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The two have no children of their own.
  9. Publishers Weekly September 9, 2020, "The World of Dav Pilkey: Reigning Dogs and Cats" by Sally Lodge.
  10. "Planet Pilkey" (PDF). www.scholastic.com.
  11. Pilkey, Dav. "Four New Books" (PDF).
  12. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Dav Pilkey Apology". YouTube .
  13. "Captain Underpants: Children's book withdrawn over 'passive racism'". BBC. March 3, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  14. Morales, Christina (March 28, 2021). "Scholastic Halts Distribution of Book by 'Captain Underpants' Author". The New York Times. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  15. Chen, Melissa (March 31, 2021). "'Kung Fu Cavemen' isn't racist — just the victim of moral panic by a self-righteous few". The New York Post . Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  16. Mangu-Ward, Katherine (July 30, 2022). "Dav Pilkey's The Adventures of Ook and Gluk Is Charming, Not Racist". Reason . Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  17. Mangu-Ward, Katherine (July 3, 2022). "Who Controls What Books You Can Read?". Reason . Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  18. ThunderX19 (January 17, 2013). "Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo-Toilet 2000 Teaser". YouTube. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. Schoenberg, Nara (April 16, 2015). "Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey brings underdog message to Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 23, 2015. Pilkey says he's still doing picture books in that vein, even as he follows George and Harold, authors of the upcoming "Dog Man" on new literary adventures.
  20. Bertini, Cristy (July 28, 2016). "Dav Pilkey's Super Amazing Author Advent-bertini/dav-pilkeys-super-amazing_b_11200852.html". The Huffington Post.
  21. "Guys Read: Terrifying Tales". Harper Collins. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  22. Lodge, Sally (September 19, 2013). "Dav Pilkey to Illustrate Picture Book of Inaugural Poem". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  23. "The National Written & Illustrated by... Awards Contest for Students Winners". Landmark Editions. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  24. Association for Library Service to Children (November 30, 1999). "Caldecott Medal Winners and Honor Books, 1938–Present". American Library Association. Retrieved May 14, 2019.

Interviews