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Dav Pilkey

Biography

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Author and illustrator Dav Pilkey struggled with ADHD at school. He started writing the Captain Underpants stories while banished from the classroom. His books contain scenes which may be considered too silly for grown-ups, small animals and some types of houseplants. If you are a grown-up, a small animal, a houseplant or a teacher, you should seek permission from a kid before reading on!

Books by Dav Pilkey

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Packs featuring Dav Pilkey

  • Dog Man Pack x 4

    Dog Man Pack x 4

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    Offer price: £19.99
    Rewards/RRP: £35.96
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    • Schools earn Scholastic Rewards when parents or staff order from us. If you work at a school you can use Rewards to buy books and resources for your classroom or library. Find out how to use Scholastic Rewards

  • Captain Underpants Pack x 12

    Captain Underpants Pack x 12

    gbp prices
    Offer price: £66.13
    Rewards/RRP: £71.88
    Product ordering

    • Schools earn Scholastic Rewards when parents or staff order from us. If you work at a school you can use Rewards to buy books and resources for your classroom or library. Find out how to use Scholastic Rewards

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Series by Dav Pilkey

  • Captain Underpants

    Captain Underpants

    He’s a superhero, he wears enormous underpants – and he’s on a mission to save reluctant readers. So if you’re a naughty villain like diabolical Dr Diaper, watch out! Captain Underpants has wedgie-power on his side, and he’s coming your way!

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  • Dog Man

    Dog Man

  • Klutz

    Klutz

    Over 1.6 million Klutz titles have been sold in the UK. Klutz’s award-winning products combine clear instructions with everything you need to give children a hands-on learning experience that ranges from the artistic to the scientific. And for younger children there’s Chicken Socks. An assortment of fun activity books for preschool children ages 4 and up. They include crafts, games, beads and more all great for tapping into budding creativity.

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  • Ricky Ricotta

    Ricky Ricotta

  • Little Red Robin

    Little Red Robin

Awards won by Dav Pilkey

Dav Pilkey has won several awards in the US, including the Publishers’ Weekly Funniest Book of the Year award for The Adventures of Captain Underpants.

Interview with Dav Pilkey

What is your favorite book?

I have lots of favorite books. Some of them are: the George and Martha books by James Marshall; the Stupids books and the Miss Nelson books by Harry Allard and James Marshall; the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel; Jake and Honeybunch go to Heaven by Margot Zemach; Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss; and The Animal Family by Randall Jarrell.

How do you get the ideas for your books?

I never try to “think” up a story, stories just come to me. I live a very simple life, and often spend several hours each day just daydreaming. It is usually during these times that my ideas come to me.

How did you get your start writing and illustrating books?

When I was 19 years old, I wrote a book called World War Won and entered it in Landmark Editions’ National Written and Illustrated by… Awards Contest for Students. My book won first prize for my age group, and was published.

Who are your major influences as an artist?

The painters who have influenced me most as an artist are Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Rousseau, and Marc Chagall. Of all these artists, I think Marc Chagall is my favorite. I love the way he sees things… there are no straight lines in his world, and no gravity to speak of either. All the laws of physics go out the window! It’s very liberating as a painter to have a hero who didn’t follow the rules.

How long does it take you to make a book?

It depends on the book. When Cats Dream and The Paperboy each took 15 minutes to write. ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving took almost a whole year (partially due to the fact that the first draft was eaten by a herd of cows). Rhyming books usually take much more time to write than non-rhyming books. Most of my picture books take between 1 and 3 months to illustrate.

What comes first, the pictures or the stories?

Usually the title, then the story, then the pictures.

Who is your favorite Author and illustrator?

I have many favorites. They include James Marshall, Arnold Lobel, and Dr. Seuss. I’m also a big fan of my friends Audrey and Don Wood, and Pam Muñoz Ryan.