Biography
The man behind the popular Captain Underpants and Dog Man series, Dav Pilkey is an American children’s author who was told as a child that his interest in comics would lead nowhere. Born into a conservative Christian family in Ohio in 1966, Dave Pilkey attended Christian schools his whole life. Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, his disruptive behaviour often saw him banished to the corridor, where he would happily draw, make up stories and create comic books; the character of Captain Underpants was born at this time.
Whilst attending Kent State University, Pilkey entered the National Kids-In-Print Book Contest For Students. World War Won, an allegorical fable inspired by the nuclear arms race between the US and the Soviet Union, won first place in his age category. As part of his prize, it was published in 1987, the same year he graduated.
Between 1991 - 1993, he published the Dragon picture book series aimed at young children. The Dumb Bunnies picture book series followed between 1994 - 1997; written under the pseudonym Sue Denim, it was adapted into a television series. In 1997, he published The Adventures Of Captain Underpants. It was an immediate hit, and was the start of one of the most successful children’s series of recent years - to date, it has sold over 80 million copies worldwide. Spin-off series The Adventures Of Super-Diaper Baby and Dog Man featured some of the same characters and were just as successful.
Written in an engaging graphic novel format, featuring relatable stories of friendship and overcoming challenges, full of silly, slapstick humour and imaginative storylines, the books of Dav Pilkey appeal to kids of all ages.
