>Dav Pilkey was born on March 4, 1966[1] in Cleveland, Ohio to Barbara and David Pilkey, Sr.[2] He has one older sister, Cindy. In elementary school in Elyria, Ohio, he was diagnosed with and suffering 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.[3] 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.[2]
>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).[4]
>After moving to Washington, he met Sayuri, a professional musician and owner of his favorite Japanese sushi restaurant.[5] The two began dating and were eventually married in a private ceremony in 2005.