Dav Pilkey, the creative mind behind Dog Man and Captain Underpants, once struggled in school with ADHD and dyslexia. Today, he calls those challenges his “superpowers,” fueling his creativity and inspiring millions of young readers. By blending humor and illustrations, Pilkey transforms reading into an adventure for reluctant readers—proving that obstacles can become strengths.
In honor of his recent visit to South Salem Elementary School, NEF purchased 300 books for attending students. Pilkey went above and beyond, surprising the crowd with three $500 gift cards for trivia winners and donating $2,500 in gift cards to the media center.
This event marks the 5th author visit in NEF’s partnership with Little Shop of Stories. Together, they’ve provided over 1,400 books to students across elementary, middle, and high schools—making literacy joyful and accessible for every child.
Jennifer Williams, Director of Instructional Technology & Media Services shared her thoughts about why author visits matter:
“Author visits are so meaningful and help build a culture of literacy. Meeting authors like Dav Pilkey, Tiffany Jackson, and Derrick Barnes show students that stories come from real people who look like them, think like them, and dream like them. When they step into our schools, they don’t just read books to students, they spark imagination, affirm identity, and inspire students to see themselves as readers, writers, and creators. Author visits ignite joy, curiosity, and a deeper love of reading, strengthening our district’s commitment to making literacy joyful, inclusive, and meaningful for every child.”
Be a part of building a culture of literacy in Newton County Schools by donating at www.newtoneducationfoundation.org/donate.