Overview of Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties
Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties is the 9th book in the popular children’s graphic novel series Dog Man by author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. First published in 2019, it follows the adventures of the title character Dog Man, who is part dog and part man. The book is set in the fictional city of the same name from previous Dog Man books.
In A Tale of Two Kitties, the evil cat Petey creates an evil clone of Dog Man named Dog Man 2 using a cloning machine. Dog Man 2 follows Petey’s evil commands and causes mayhem in the city. Meanwhile, Dog Man has to deal with a cute kitten who is abandoned near the police station. The kitten, named Li’l Petey, is very mischievous and gets Dog Man into trouble repeatedly. Eventually, Dog Man and Li’l Petey have to team up to stop the evil Dog Man 2 and Petey from destroying the city’s meatballs during the Annual Meatball Eating Contest.
Along with Dog Man and Li’l Petey, other main characters include Petey, Dog Man’s partner Officer Knight, and the police chief. The book combines illustrations and text in Pilkey’s signature style. The main themes focus on good vs evil, friendship, and not judging someone by their appearance.
Sources:
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/d/dog-man-a-tale-of-two-kittens/
About the Author and Illustrator Dav Pilkey
The author and illustrator of the Dog Man series is Dav Pilkey. Dav Pilkey was born on March 4, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio [1]. As a child, Pilkey struggled with ADHD and dyslexia. He was placed in special education classes and had trouble fitting in at school. Pilkey turned to drawing and creating his own stories and comics as an outlet. This inspired him to become an author and illustrator when he grew up [2].
After graduating from Kent State University in 1987, Pilkey began his career writing and illustrating children’s books. His first book, World War Won, was published in 1987. In the 1990s, Pilkey created the Captain Underpants series which became a major bestseller. This propelled his career as a popular children’s book author. In 2016, Pilkey debuted the Dog Man series, which also became a massive success [3]. The Dog Man books combine Pilkey’s passion for comics and humorous storytelling with his mission to inspire children who feel different or struggle in school, as he did.
Significance of the Book Series
The Dog Man book series by Dav Pilkey has become hugely popular since the first book was published in 2016. As of 2022, there are 10 books in the main Dog Man series, with more than 80 million copies in print worldwide. The books have frequently appeared on bestseller lists, demonstrating their widespread popularity. Dog Man has appealed strongly to young readers, especially reluctant readers, with the series’ engaging stories, humorous tone, and graphic novel format.
Beyond impressive sales numbers, the cultural impact of Dog Man can be seen in its influence on reading habits and literacy. Teachers, librarians, and parents have praised the series for encouraging children to read independently. The combination of expressive illustrations and accessible text supports reading comprehension. Dog Man has helped turn even the most reluctant readers into enthusiastic book lovers. The series has made struggling readers more confident by making reading fun and funny.
The popularity of Dog Man has expanded beyond just the books themselves. There are Dog Man video games, toys, clothes, costumes, apps, and other merchandise that allow fans to immerse themselves in the Dog Man universe. Fans eagerly await new book releases and events like Dog Man Con. The series has clearly resonated strongly with children worldwide.
In summary, the exceptional popularity of the Dog Man books, their impact on youth literacy and reading enthusiasm, and their cultural imprint through multimedia spinoffs demonstrate the significant, widespread influence of this imaginative series. Dog Man has become a modern children’s classic.
Main Characters
Dog Man is the main protagonist of the series. He has the head of a police dog named Greg and the body of a policeman named Knight. Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on bones. He struggles to use his dog instincts while on the police force. Dog Man first appeared in Captain Underpants before getting his own spinoff series (Dog Man summary, 2022).
Petey is a smart and sweet cat who loves to read books. He wears a black costume and calls himself “Cat Kid.” Petey used to be a villain who worked with his clone Lil’ Petey, but now fights crime alongside Dog Man. Petey wants to prove that cats can be as heroic as dogs (Petey profile, 2022).
80-HD is a robot dog built by Professor Von Yapper. 80-HD has super speed and strength but struggles to understand humor and sarcasm. 80-HD becomes jealous of the friendship between Dog Man and Petey. He switches from villain to hero throughout the Dog Man books (80-HD biography, 2022).
Lil’ Petey is an evil clone of Petey created by Petey’s owner in the first Dog Man book. Lil’ Petey wears a red costume and has more selfish feline instincts than Petey. He continues to devise evil schemes with other villains throughout the series (Lil’ Petey description, 2022).
Key Events and Plot Points
The main conflict arises when the villain Petey creates an evil clone of Dog Man named Li’l Petey using a cloning kit. Li’l Petey starts committing crimes around the city to frame Dog Man. Meanwhile, Dog Man struggles with his impulsive behavior which causes trouble for himself and others (Source).
Some of the major events include:
- Petey creates Li’l Petey, an evil clone of Dog Man.
- Li’l Petey frames Dog Man for robberies around the city.
- Dog Man gets arrested but escapes from the police.
- Dog Man realizes Li’l Petey is impersonating him and tries to catch him.
- Dog Man and Petey have an epic final battle on top of a hot air balloon.
- Dog Man defeats Petey and Li’l Petey and clears his name.
The book explores the themes of identity, friendship, good vs evil, and impulsiveness vs self-control. Dog Man learns to think before acting on his impulses which helps him defeat Li’l Petey.
Themes and Messages
One of the central themes in Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties is the importance of friendship. The book explores the unlikely friendship between Dog Man and Petey, showing how even former enemies can become friends. Their relationship demonstrates how shared experiences and understanding others’ perspectives can bring out the good in people (or pets). The evolutions of their friendship teaches about empathy, forgiveness, and seeing beyond superficial differences.
The classic struggle of good versus evil is also a major theme. Dog Man and the police represent the forces of good, while Petey and the cats embody evil and wrongdoing. However, the book adds nuance by showing how bad characters like Petey have potential for redemption. It suggests that fighting for good is an ongoing battle, but one worth fighting.
Finally, the anthropomorphized animal characters highlight some truths about animal behaviors and instincts. The territoriality of cats, loyalty of dogs, and predatory nature of some creatures are exaggerated for humor and effect. These animal traits ultimately serve the plot and themes about friendship overcoming differences.
Overall, the book explores universal themes about friendship, morality, and human (or animal) nature in an imaginative way perfect for young readers (Source: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/teaching-tools/book-lists/dog-man-book-list.html).
Art and Illustrations
Dav Pilkey’s illustrations in Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties are full of energy and humor. He uses a very simple, cartoonish style with thick black outlines, bright colors, and expressive characters. According to an article on the Scholastic blog, Pilkey’s work is “colorful, lively, and playful” (Source). The characters have large heads with exaggerated features that convey their personalities. The composition of the panels is dynamic, with varied angles and viewpoints to keep the story visually interesting.
The comic book-style panels propel the wacky plot forward through sequential storytelling. The speech bubbles and dynamic onomatopoeia like “Boom!” and “Crash!” add to the sense of motion and excitement. Pilkey incorporates creative page layouts with inserts, alternating panel sizes, and pages devoted to a single image for dramatic effect. The illustrations support the zany humor and action through visual gags and funny character designs. Overall, Pilkey’s art creates a vibrant, engaging world for Dog Man’s adventures.
Reception and Reviews
Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising the humor, illustrations, and appeal for young readers. Many reviewers noted that Pilkey’s signature style shines through in this book. Publishers Weekly called it “another madcap tale” filled with “original art, zany humor, and plenty of kids’ bathroom humor,” while Kirkus Reviews described it as “an expert balance of deadpan absurdity, slapstick, and satire.”
The book earned praise for its ability to engage reluctant readers. School Library Journal said “Pilkey’s wild sense of humor and creativity will appeal to kids who don’t like to read.” It noted the book’s “fast-paced plot, crazy characters, and outrageous situations” make it appealing for reading aloud. Booklist agreed, stating “readers will be giggling from start to finish.”
Reviewers especially highlighted the book’s illustrations, with The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books calling the art “zany and energetic,” stating “Pilkey’s graphic novel-style drawings continue to be a major part of the appeal.” Common Sense Media complimented the book’s “bright, graphic illustrations [that] are integral to the offbeat story.”
Parents and educators generally recommend the Dog Man series for reluctant readers in grades 2-4 looking for silly, entertaining books. The series continues to earn praise for sparking interest and engagement in reading among kids who gravitate towards graphic novels and humorous stories.
Legacy and Sequels
The Dog Man series has become incredibly popular, with each new book debuting at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels. As of 2023, there are 10 books in the main Dog Man series:
- Dog Man: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (2016)
- Dog Man: Unleashed (2016)
- Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (2017)
- Dog Man and Cat Kid (2018)
- Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas (2018)
- Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild (2019)
- Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls (2019)
- Dog Man: Fetch-22 (2020)
- Dog Man: Mothering Heights (2021)
- Dog Man: The Epic Collection (2022)
In addition, there are several spin-off books and series set in the Dog Man universe, including Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey. The enduring popularity of the Dog Man books speaks to the imaginative storytelling and humor that resonates with readers of all ages.
Accessing the Book
Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties is available to purchase in print, ebook, and audiobook formats from major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, and more. The book can also be found at most local libraries and bookstores.
For those looking to legally access the full book online, there are some limited options:
- Limited previews of the book are available on Google Books and Amazon – however, these only include a few sample pages and not the full text.
- The full book is available with a subscription to Scribd’s ebook subscription service.
- Some online book rental services like Chegg allow renting ebook access to the full book for a limited rental period.
Purchasing the print, ebook, or audiobook is recommended for those wanting full unlimited access. Used print copies can also often be found inexpensive on sites like Thriftbooks and Abebooks for more budget-friendly options.