The movie Dog Man will arrive in theaters on January 31.

Shutterstock.com (background); Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation (Dog Man)

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Dog Man Returns

It’s been an exciting few months for fans of the Dog Man series! Big Jim Begins, the 13th book in the best-selling series, was released last December. And now Dog Man is set to hit movie screens for the first time in January. Author and illustrator Dav Pilkey recently spoke to Scholastic News about the beloved character.

Scholastic News: How did you come up with the Dog Man character? 

Scholastic, Inc. 

Dav Pilkey

Dav Pilkey: When I was in second grade, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and what is now widely known as ADHD. I often got in trouble in class, and my teachers sent me out in the hallway. That’s where I started writing my own stories and drawing Captain Underpants and Dog Man. I shared my comics with my classmates, who always laughed. I have been writing and drawing ever since.  

SN: Why did you decide to take readers back in time in Big Jim Begins? 

Scholastic, Inc.

DP: I thought it would be interesting to explore the mind of a character who had extremely bad luck throughout his life. 

Big Jim was often misunderstood, and, although it was unintentional, he got into trouble. Despite all of this, he never blamed others. He saw the good in everything. 

SN: How many more Dog Man books will you write?

DP: I had only planned on writing two Dog Man books, but the ideas kept coming to me. Right now, I am working on the 14th Dog Man book, and I hope to make many more. 

SN: What is it like seeing your characters on the big screen?

DP: It’s exciting. I am a huge fan of the work that other people have done bringing these characters to the screen.


Note: The interview has been edited and condensed.

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