Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man has had a super busy 2025—and it ain’t over yet. The year kicked off with the January illumination of the Empire State Building in the canine superhero’s signature colors to celebrate the worldwide release of the Dog Man feature film. That same month, Pilkey and his costumed Dog Man sidekick embarked on an international tour, “Join the Hero Party: Celebrating Heroes Around the World!,” inspired by his series’ theme that ordinary people can do extraordinarily good deeds.

Now, the author is gearing up for his “Power Up with Reading” tour, to mark Graphix’s November 11 global publication of Dog Man: Big Jim Believes, the 14th adventure in this series that has more than 70 million books in print worldwide, making it one of the bestselling graphic novel series of all time. Ken Geist, Scholastic VP and publisher, Pilkey Publishing, told PW that the new book exemplifies the author’s “ingenious storytelling and imaginative illustrations that have kept multiple generations of kids from around the world coming back for more. In Big Jim Believes, Dav brilliantly brings together a narrative that is both humorous and powerful, illuminating the importance of truth, virtue, and belief in oneself.”

Another upcoming highlight for Dog Man is his role as the official anchor of this year’s Children’s Book Week, celebrated November 3–9. As part of the week’s celebration, “Dog Man and Friends Power Up with Reading” celebrations will take place in schools, libraries, and independent bookstores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Emphasizing the importance of doing good, one of the recurring themes in the Dog Man books, this initiative will reach nearly 7,000 schools and libraries and will include the distribution of thousands of books to young readers.

And, to cap off their eventful 2025, on December 9, Pilkey and Dog Man will be the guests of honor at a free, one-night-only Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man event at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Ind. Attendees are invited to dress up as Dog Man, and Scholastic will endeavor to break the Guinness world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as a comic book or graphic novel character (currently held by Salt Lake Comic Con, which boasted 1,784 participants in 2015).

What’s Ahead

Running from November 14 through December 7, Pilkey’s sold-out “Power Up with Reading” tour includes stops in seven U.S. cities, plus Hamilton, Ontario. As part of this tour Pilkey, whose personal mission is to bring books into the hands of kids everywhere, will also visit students in underfunded schools.

One bookseller who will have a chance to host the Dog man costume character on its tour is John Shableski, manager of the Otto Bookstore in Williamsport, Pa., who has organized a Dog Man sidewalk parade that will stop at City Hall, where the mayor will proclaim the day “Dog Man Day” and present the costumed canine celebrity with a key to the city.

“Our Dog Man Day event brings together our city leadership, our theater organization, and readers,” Shableski said. “This Dog Man celebration comes at a moment when we are truly gaining traction with the younger readers in our community. With Dav Pilkey leading the pack, there is a wonderful avalanche of books that are bringing these younger readers into the store. Kids now make up 20% of our customers and they are looking for Dog Man, Cat Kid and other comics like them.”

Additionally, throughout the month of November, Global Dog Man Day events featuring activities and giveaways are planned at thousands of bookstores, schools, and libraries across North America, the U.K., and Ireland, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. In November and December, Scholastic will provide booksellers and librarians in the U.S. hosting an event featuring the Dog Man costumed character with a “Global Dog Man Day: I Am a Reading Superhero” commemorative stamp to use on Dog Man books of customers attending these events.

Fans of all ages are encouraged to dress up as Dog Man and take part in Scholastic’s attempt to set a Guinness World Record on December 9. Reservations are required and can be made online, where additional information is available.

Those attending the event will also be treated to a live performance of Dog Man: The Musical from TWTheatricals, receive a signed copy of Big Jim Believes, visit activity stations, and have a chance to have their photo taken with Pilkey—and Dog Man.

Pilkey, who regularly gives credit to those who share his passion for connecting children and books, described his enthusiasm for the upcoming Dog Man celebrations. “I’m humbled and honored that I get to play a part in getting kids excited about books,” he said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to meeting and celebrating together the heroes behind the scenes who change many people’s lives through the power of reading.”

Dog Man: Big Jim Believes by Dav Pilkey. Graphix, $15.99 Nov. 11 ISBN 978-1-546-17618-3