Dav Pilkey
Encyclopedia
David "Dav" Pilkey was born on March 4, 1966, is a popular author
and illustrator
of children's literature
. Dav Pilkey is best known as the author and illustrator of the Captain Underpants
book series. He also uses the pen names, George Beard and Harold Hutchins. He lives near Seattle, Washington
with his wife, Sayuri.
to Barbara and David Pilkey, Sr. He has one older sister, Cindy. In elementary school
in Elyria, Ohio
, he was diagnosed with and suffers from ADHD
and dyslexia
. 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. Pilkey entered his first book, World War Won, in a national competition for student authors and won in his age category. The award included the book's publishing in 1987.
The odd spelling of his first name came from a period of employment in a Pizza Hut
, when the "e" was omitted from his nametag. Even though it is spelled Dav, it is pronounced "Dave" (rhyming with cave and brave).
After moving to Washington, he met Sayuri, a professional musician and owner of his favorite Japanese sushi restaurant. The two began dating and were eventually married in a private ceremony in 2005.
Pilkey took a break from writing for a few years to care for his terminally ill father, but as of March 19, 2010, has signed a deal with Scholastic to release four new books. The first, a graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future, was released on August 10, 2010. The second, another graphic novel, of which was anticipated for 9 years, "Super Diaper Baby 2: Invasion of the Potty Snatchers", was released on June 28, 2011.
"Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted."
-The Educational Book & Media Association
and Dogzilla, the animals pictured are some of Pilkey's actual pets.
Kat Kong is a spoof
of the story of King Kong
, incorporating a cat
and mice
characters. The book combines photography with paintings, with the story of revealing how the characters Dr. Varmint and Rosie Rodent capture Kat Kong and bring him back to Mousopolis. Dogzilla is also a spoof
of the story Godzilla
.
Pilkey authored the Dumb Bunnies books under the pseudonym
, Sue Denim. He has stated that the series was influenced by The Stupids
.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
of children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. Dav Pilkey is best known as the author and illustrator of the Captain Underpants
Captain Underpants
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey is a series of American children's books about two fourth graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, and the aptly named superhero they accidentally create by hypnotizing their principal, Mr. Benny Krupp...
book series. He also uses the pen names, George Beard and Harold Hutchins. He lives near Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
with his wife, Sayuri.
Biography
Dav Pilkey was born on March 4, 1966 in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
to Barbara and David Pilkey, Sr. He has one older sister, Cindy. In elementary school
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
in Elyria, Ohio
Elyria, Ohio
-Community:Elyria has an extensive, although financially burdened, community food pantry and "Hot Meals" program administered through the Second Harvest Food Bank and several churches Elyria is served by Elyria Memorial Hospital.-Recreation and parks:...
, he was diagnosed with and suffers from ADHD
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder. It is primarily characterized by "the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity, with each behavior occurring infrequently alone" and symptoms starting before seven years of age.ADHD is the most commonly studied and...
and dyslexia
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
. 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. Pilkey entered his first book, World War Won, in a national competition for student authors and won in his age category. The award included the book's publishing in 1987.
The odd spelling of his first name came from a period of employment in a Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
, when the "e" was omitted from his nametag. Even though it is spelled Dav, it is pronounced "Dave" (rhyming with cave and brave).
After moving to Washington, he met Sayuri, a professional musician and owner of his favorite Japanese sushi restaurant. The two began dating and were eventually married in a private ceremony in 2005.
Pilkey took a break from writing for a few years to care for his terminally ill father, but as of March 19, 2010, has signed a deal with Scholastic to release four new books. The first, a graphic novel, The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future, was released on August 10, 2010. The second, another graphic novel, of which was anticipated for 9 years, "Super Diaper Baby 2: Invasion of the Potty Snatchers", was released on June 28, 2011.
"Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted."
-The Educational Book & Media Association
Pets
Many of his pets were inspirations for his books. In the books Kat KongKat Kong
Kat Kong is a children's picture book created by Dav Pilkey that parodies King Kong with a housecat. Harcourt Brace & Company published this title in 1993...
and Dogzilla, the animals pictured are some of Pilkey's actual pets.
Dragon
- For the animated television series based on the books, see Dragon (TV series)Dragon (TV series)Dragon is a Canadian stop-motion children's television program which is based on the books by best-selling children's author Dav Pilkey. The show first aired in Canada in 2004 and continues to air on Treehouse TV and on Qubo in the US....
.- A Friend for Dragon (1991)
- Dragon Gets By (1991)
- Dragon's Merry Christmas (1991)
- Dragon's Fat Cat (1992)
- Dragon's Halloween (1993)
Creature Feature
- Dogzilla (1993)
- Kat KongKat KongKat Kong is a children's picture book created by Dav Pilkey that parodies King Kong with a housecat. Harcourt Brace & Company published this title in 1993...
(1993)
Kat Kong is a spoof
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of the story of King Kong
King Kong
King Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
, incorporating a cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
and mice
MICE
-Fiction:*Mice , alien species in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*The Mice -Acronyms:* "Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions", facilities terminology for events...
characters. The book combines photography with paintings, with the story of revealing how the characters Dr. Varmint and Rosie Rodent capture Kat Kong and bring him back to Mousopolis. Dogzilla is also a spoof
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of the story Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
.
Dumb Bunnies
- The Dumb Bunnies (1994)
- The Dumb Bunnies' Easter (1995)
- Make Way for Dumb Bunnies (1996)
- The Dumb Bunnies Go to the Zoo (1997)
Pilkey authored the Dumb Bunnies books under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
, Sue Denim. He has stated that the series was influenced by The Stupids
The Stupids
* For the skatepunk band see The Stupids * For the 1996 film, see The Stupids The Stupids are a fictional family which appear in a series of books written by Harry Allard and James Marshall...
.
Captain Underpants
- The Adventures of Captain UnderpantsThe Adventures of Captain UnderpantsThe Adventures of Captain Underpants is a children's book by Dav Pilkey, the first novel in the Captain Underpants series.-Plot summary:...
(1997) - Attack of the Talking ToiletsCaptain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking ToiletsCaptain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets is a children's book by Dav Pilkey, the second book in the Captain Underpants book series.-Plot summary:...
(1999) - Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (and the Subsequent Assault of the Equally Evil Lunchroom Zombie Nerds) (1999)
- Perilous Plot of Professor PoopypantsCaptain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor PoopypantsCaptain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants is the fourth book in the Captain Underpants series written by Dav Pilkey. It is the first book to have Captain Underpants to fully use his superpowers...
(2000) - The Captain Underpants Extra Crunchy Book O' Fun (2001)
- Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie WomanCaptain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie WomanCaptain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman is the fifth book in the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey.-Plot:George and Harold's teacher Ms. Ribble is planning on retiring at the end of the school year. She forces everyone to make happy retirement cards for her. George and...
(2001) - The Adventures of Super Diaper BabyThe Adventures of Super Diaper BabyThe Adventures of Super Diaper Baby is a children's novel by Dav Pilkey , and is a spin-off of Captain Underpants.-Plot summary:...
(2002) - The All New Extra Crunchy Captain Underpants Book O' Fun 2 (2002)
- Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy Part 1Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger BoyCaptain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy is the first two-part story of Captain Underpants book series. Both books count as the sixth and seventh novels in the titles.-Part 1:...
(2003) - Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy Part 2Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger BoyCaptain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy is the first two-part story of Captain Underpants book series. Both books count as the sixth and seventh novels in the titles.-Part 1:...
(2003) - Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty PeopleCaptain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty PeopleCaptain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People is the eighth book in the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey.-Plot summary:...
(2006) - The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the FutureThe Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the FutureThe Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future is a graphic novel by Dav Pilkey and a spin-off of Captain Underpants.The plot of the book is George and Harold, the lead characters from Pilkey's Captain Underpants series, complain about that scientist know everything so they make a...
(2010) - Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers (2011)
- Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers (2012)
Ricky Ricotta
- Ricky Ricotta's Mighty RobotRicky Ricotta's Mighty RobotRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot is a children's novel written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, the first in the series of books.-Plot:...
(2000) - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mutant Mosquitos from MercuryRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mutant Mosquitos from MercuryRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mutant Mosquitoes from Mercury is a children's novel written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, the second in the series of books.-Plot:...
(2000) - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Voodoo Vultures from VenusRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Voodoo Vultures from VenusRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Voodoo Vultures from Venus is a children's novel written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, the third in the series of books.-Plot:...
(2001) - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mecha Monkeys from MarsRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mecha Monkeys from MarsRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Mecha-Monkeys from Mars is a children's novel written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, the fourth in the series of books.-Plot:...
(2002) - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jackrabbits from JupiterRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jackrabbits from JupiterRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter is a children's novel written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, the fifth in the Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series of books.-Plot:...
(2002) - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Stupid Stinkbugs from SaturnRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Stupid Stinkbugs from SaturnRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Stupid Stinkbugs from Saturn is a children's novel written by Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, the sixth in the series of books.-Plot:...
(2003) - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Uranium Unicorns from UranusRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Uranium Unicorns from UranusRicky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Uranium Unicorns from Uranus is a children's novel by written Dav Pilkey and illustrated by Martin Ontiveros, the seventh in the series of books.-Plot:...
(2005) - Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Astro-Activity Book o' Fun (2006)
Big Dog & Little Dog
- Big Dog and Little Dog (1997)
- Big Dog and Little Dog Going for a Walk (1997)
- Big Dog and Little Dog Getting in Trouble (1997)
- Big Dog and Little Dog Wearing Sweaters (1998)
- Big Dog and Little Dog Making a Mistake (1999)
- The Complete Adventures of Big Dog and Little Dog (1999)
Other books
- When Cats Dream
- Moonglow Roll-O-Rama
- The Hallo-Wiener
- Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
- God Bless the Gargoyles
- Dog Breath!: The Horrible Trouble With Hally Tosis
- Silly Gooses
- Julius
- The Paperboy
- World War Won
Awards
- 1986: The National Written and Illustrated by... Awards Contest for Students, ages 14–19 category, World War Won
- 1997: Caldecott Honor Award, The Paperboy
- 1998: California Young Reader Medal, "Dog Breath!: The Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis" published in 1994
External links
- Dav Pilkey's Extra Crunchy Website o' Fun (official website)
Reviews
- Book Review of Dog Breath (book review on www.launchpadmag.com)