Introduce the Cat Kid book series
The Cat Kid book series is a spinoff of the hugely popular Dog Man graphic novels by author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. Pilkey is known for his humorous books for children, often featuring creative twists on words and art. The Cat Kid series features a group of baby frogs who like to draw their own comics. The first Cat Kid book was published in 2020 by Scholastic.
According to the Scholastic website, “The Cat Kid Comic Club is in crisis!” (https://www.scholastic.com/content/site/pilkey/dav-pilkey-at-home/cat-kid-comic-club-series.html/). The series follows a group of friends who draw comics and get into funny adventures, with Pilkey’s signature humor and artwork.
The first Cat Kid book
The first book in the Cat Kid Comic Club series is simply titled Cat Kid Comic Club. It was written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey and published on December 1, 2020 by Scholastic. [1] This launch of the Cat Kid series introduced readers to Li’l Petey, Flippy, and Molly, three second graders who start their own comic book club.
In Cat Kid Comic Club, the kids make up their own superheroes and write and draw their own comic books. They come up with stories about Origami Yoda, Dog Man, and Ook and Gluk. As the club gains more members, they have fun making comics together while also learning about teamwork. [2]
Overall, the first Cat Kid book was well-received, providing a fun introduction to Pilkey’s Cat Kid characters. It also encouraged creativity through its focus on kids making their own comics. Cat Kid Comic Club reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. [3]
Number of Cat Kid books so far
The Cat Kid Comic Club series first debuted in 2019. As of 2023, there are currently 2 books that have been published in the Cat Kid series created by author and illustrator Dav Pilkey.
The first book, titled Cat Kid Comic Club, was published on December 1, 2019. The second book, Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives, was published on December 7, 2021. Both books were published by Scholastic.
So in summary, as of 2023, there are 2 books total that have been published so far in the popular Cat Kid graphic novel series for young readers by Dav Pilkey.
Contents of Cat Kid #1
The first book in the Cat Kid Comic Club series, titled Cat Kid Comic Club, was released on September 1, 2020. It introduces the main characters Li’l Petey, Flippy, Molly and Gordo – a group of young frogs who form the Cat Kid Comic Club where they create their own comics. The club’s mentor is Cat Kid, Pilkey’s famous graphic novel character.
In this first Cat Kid book, the baby frogs come up with comic ideas like “Dogni,” about a dog who is part genie, and “Space Rocks,” an outer space adventure story. They learn about creating characters, writing narratives and other elements of crafting comics. The book follows their journey as they improve their storytelling and art skills. It highlights the creative process and importance of practice.
There are guest appearances by other characters like Dog Man and Captain Underpants as the young frogs develop their love of comic books. Overall it serves as an origin story for the Cat Kid Comic Club members while promoting creativity, collaboration and perseverance.
Source: https://www.scholastic.com/content/site/pilkey/dav-pilkey-at-home/cat-kid-comic-club-series.html/
Contents of Cat Kid #2: Perspectives
The second Cat Kid book, titled Perspectives, was published in March 2022. It continues the adventures of Li’l Petey, Flippy, Molly and the other animal friends in the Cat Kid Comic Club. According to the book’s official webpage, Perspectives focuses on the theme of multiple points of view.
The story follows Naomi’s idea to get rich quick, which causes “a lot of commotion and emotion” among the group. When faced with rejections, the friends try again and again to stay true to themselves and their stories. The book contains tales told from different perspectives, highlighting how people can view the same situation in very different ways.
Notable characters include rebel cat Li’l Petey, imaginative Flippy, sensitive Molly, sarcastic Patty Pig, grumpy Melvin Snoozer, and earnest Clara Cockatoo. As with previous books, Perspectives features Pilkey’s signature bright, humorous illustrations and dialogue-driven narratives.
Reviews praised Perspectives for promoting empathy and embracing diversity through highlighting multiple perspectives. Common Sense Media called it “laugh-out-loud funny” while teaching an important lesson.
Future Cat Kid Books
So far there have been 2 Cat Kid Comic Club books, with the 3rd titled Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers set to release on November 28, 2023. Given the popularity of the series, it’s very likely Pilkey will continue releasing additional books.
According to Scholastic, Pilkey has plans for at least 2 more Cat Kid books after Influencers. Potential future books may continue the adventures of Li’l Petey, Molly, and Flippy as they help students at their school create comics. There could be new characters introduced or perhaps field trips and events that take the kids outside of the classroom setting.
Based on Pilkey’s other popular book series like Captain Underpants and Dog Man, both of which have over 10 books currently, it’s likely Cat Kid could also run for many more installments. Fans are eagerly awaiting each new release and speculating what comics the kids will create next. As long as kids remain interested in making their own comics, Pilkey will surely keep the Cat Kid stories coming.
Popularity and Reception
The Cat Kid Comic Club books by Dav Pilkey have been very popular and well-received since the first book was published in 2021. According to Publishers Weekly, the Cat Kid series was one of the top selling children’s series in 2022, alongside other Pilkey books like Dog Man and Captain Underpants (source). The books consistently make the New York Times Best Sellers lists for children’s series.
The Cat Kid Comic Club series taps into the popularity of Pilkey’s other books while also attracting new fans. As described by Publishers Weekly, the series features “Pilkey’s signature goofy humor and comic panels with easy-to-read speech bubbles” which appeal to young readers (source). Critics have praised the Cat Kid books for encouraging kids to create their own comics and stories.
Cat Kid books compared to other Pilkey series
The Cat Kid series has a similar art style and tone to some of Pilkey’s other popular works like Dog Man and Captain Underpants. However, Cat Kid focuses more on encouraging creativity, storytelling, and comic making compared to the zany adventures in Pilkey’s other books. While Dog Man has more outrageous plots involving crime fighting and Captain Underpants features silly characters, Cat Kid has more heartwarming stories about friends coming together over their shared interests.
Readers seem to love the positive messages in Cat Kid just as much as Pilkey’s other books. The relatable characters and humor make the series appeal to kids. Parents also appreciate the books for teaching valuable lessons about self-expression, collaboration, and perseverance. Though the subject matter is different, Cat Kid captures the same irreverent spirit that has made Pilkey one of the most popular children’s authors.
Impact and legacy
The Cat Kid book series has had a significant cultural impact for children’s graphic novels. Since the first Cat Kid Comic Club book released in 2020, the series has seen immense popularity, consistently ranking on the New York Times bestseller list for paperback graphic books (https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/paperback-graphic-books/). As of November 2022, the series has sold over 17 million copies worldwide (https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Kid-Comic-Club-Influencers/dp/1338896393/).
The series has helped expand the readership for graphic novels, especially among elementary school students. Cat Kid incorporates Pilkey’s signature humor that kids love, while also promoting creativity, diversity, and self-expression. Many teachers and librarians report that reluctant readers are more engaged with the highly visual Cat Kid books (https://bookshelfthomasville.com/products/cat-kid-comic-club-influencers-cat-kid-comic-club-5/).
As a spin-off of Pilkey’s acclaimed Dog Man series, Cat Kid continues the legacy of Pilkey’s impact on children’s literacy and graphic novel popularity. The playful characters and funny comics-within-the-comics format provide an entertaining reading experience for kids. Cat Kid has further cemented Pilkey’s status as one of the most influential authors/illustrators of children’s graphic literature.
Conclusion
In summary, the Cat Kid series by Dav Pilkey has become a beloved children’s book franchise in a relatively short time. Though there are only two Cat Kid books so far, the series has made a big impression. Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives is a creative and heartwarming story about working together and embracing differences. Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose continues those themes in an inspiring tale about finding purpose. While not as long-running as Pilkey’s other major series Captain Underpants and Dog Man, Cat Kid shows a lot of promise to have a lasting legacy. The books have been praised for their positive messages, humor, and creativity. Cat Kid has proven there is still an appetite for Pilkey’s iconic style and storytelling, even for new characters. While the future of Cat Kid is unknown, the first two installments demonstrate its potential to captivate young readers. The Cat Kid books are quality children’s literature that families will likely enjoy for generations.
