Dav Pilkey
The creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants.
Dav Pilkey is an author and illustrator. The creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants. This page is a short guide for parents, teachers and young readers: who they are, which of their books are in the current top 20 and where to start.
About Dav Pilkey
Dav Pilkey is the author and illustrator of the Dog Man and Captain Underpants series. As a child he was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, and teachers often had him sit in the hallway, where he drew and made up stories. His publisher’s biography says the first comic adventures of Dog Man and Captain Underpants were created there.
His other work includes Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot, Cat Kid Comic Club, Dumb Bunnies, Super Diaper Baby, Dogzilla and Kat Kong. The Paperboy was a Caldecott Honor book. His books have sold millions of copies and been translated into many languages.
Dav Pilkey’s books in the top 20
- Dog Man: 10th Birthday Edition: number 17 in the list we checked on 7 November 2026. A special foil-covered paperback of the first Dog Man book, celebrating ten years of the part-dog, part-police-officer hero.
Other well-known books and work
- Captain Underpants
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot
- Cat Kid Comic Club
- Dumb Bunnies
- Dogzilla
Awards and recognition
- The Paperboy was a Caldecott Honor book
Where to start
Start with the first Dog Man book. The comic format suits reluctant readers.
Frequently asked questions about Dav Pilkey
Who is Dav Pilkey?
Dav Pilkey is the author and illustrator of the Dog Man and Captain Underpants series. As a child he was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, and teachers often had him sit in the hallway, where he drew and made up stories. His publisher’s biography says the first comic adventures of Dog Man and Captain Underpants were created there.
Which books by Dav Pilkey are in the top 20?
Dog Man: 10th Birthday Edition (number 17). See our Top 20 children’s books for the full list.
Where should I start with Dav Pilkey?
Start with the first Dog Man book. The comic format suits reluctant readers.
Biographical details are drawn from publisher biographies, reference works and the author’s own site, and may have changed. The illustration is our own and is not a likeness of the author. See all the authors.
Sources: Dav Pilkey: author.