Author and illustrator Dav Pilkey had a rough time as a kid. His attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia made it difficult for him to sit still in class. He got sent into the hall so often, he tells us, he had his own desk out there!

Here, he explains how he used his own personality to create “Dog Man,” his most popular character:

And, as a bonus, he introduces us to a new character — Dog Man’s alter ego, Cat Man!

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