Dav Pilkey

  • 71

    Catalog books

  • 43

    Works

  • 1991 to 2026

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Dav Pilkey is the creator of wildly energetic, humor-driven children's books that lean into slapstick, mischief, and bold comic art. From Captain Underpants' toilet-humor adventures to other playful series entries, his work celebrates goofy heroes, imaginative chaos, and reading that invites laughter and action.

Pilkey's titles mix fast-paced plotting with expressive illustrations, making them irresistible to reluctant and eager readers alike. Whether riffing on pratfalls in Captain Underpants or introducing new antagonists like a scarlet menace, his stories prioritize fun, resilience, and youthful creativity.

Best Place To Start

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Captain Underpants series • Humorous, illustrated early chapter books • Slapstick and potty-humor • Fast-paced comics-style panels

Genres and themes: Children's humor • Graphic novel elements • School-life mischief • Friendship and imagination

Who this author is best for: Great for reluctant or beginning readers who enjoy fast pacing, bold illustrations, and silly, high-energy humor.

Start with any Captain Underpants title or browse by book length and illustration-to-text ratio to match reading stamina.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People

    Scholastic • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 176 pages.

  2. Captain Underpants and the big, bad battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, part 1

    Scholastic • 2003 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2003 • 173 pages.

  3. Despeluzado Escarlata (the Scarlet Shedder)

    Scholastic, Incorporated • 2025 • standard commitment

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  4. Lord of the Fleas

    Turtleback Books • 2018 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2018 • 256 pages.

  5. Captain Underpants And The Perilous Plot Of Professor Poopypants (Captain Underpants)

    Scholastic Paperbacks • 2000 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2000 • 153 pages.

  6. Ricky Ricotta's Giant Robot: An Adventure Novel (Ricky Ricotta)

    Scholastic • 2000 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 111 pages.

  7. The Silly Gooses

    Scholastic • 2000 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 39 pages.

  8. Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space

    Scholastic Paperbacks • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 141 pages.

  9. BIG JIM BEGINS

    Scholastic • 2026 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2026.

  10. BIG JIM BELIEVES

    Scholastic • 2026 • commitment varies by edition

    You cheered for Big Jim’s redemption arcs and want his POV in a full-blown Dog Man scramble | You love Pilkey’s flip-o-r…

How The Picks Compare

  • Captain Underpants and the big, bad battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, part 1 is the easier short commitment, while Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People asks for more reading time up front.
  • Captain Underpants and the big, bad battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, part 1 gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People leans later in the catalog.
  • Despeluzado Escarlata (the Scarlet Shedder) is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People.

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