Scholastic today announced plans for the launch of Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, the newest book in Dav Pilkey’s #1 blockbuster hit series Dog Man.  

To celebrate the release, Book Trust is collaborating with Scholastic and the Scripps Howard Fund to bring free copies of Dog Man: Big Jim Begins to nearly 50,000 students across the U.S.

“We are incredibly grateful for this exciting opportunity to increase book access and ownership for students,” said Patience Peabody, President and CEO of Book Trust. “This release is a celebration of the power of story and storytelling, and we are thrilled to share it with our network of partner schools.”  

Since the book series launched to critical acclaim in August 2016, Dog Man has more than 60 million books in print with translations in 47 languages, making it one of the bestselling graphic novel series of all time.   

Scholastic shared that Dog Man author and illustrator Dav Pilkey will embark on an international tour in 2025. Inspired by one of the themes in the Dog Man series about how ordinary people can do extraordinarily good deeds, all events on Dav Pilkey’s tour will shine the spotlight on everyday heroes who make a positive impact in their own communities. 

As part of the book release, one school from the Book Trust program and the Scripps Howard Fund program will receive a “Join the Hero” party-themed Scholastic Book Fair. Participating schools will also recognize everyday heroes who make a difference in their own communities. These in-school literacy programs will be fully funded by Dav Pilkey.  

Learn more about the book release and upcoming Dog Man film here. Book Trust looks forward to coordinating the book donation and Book Fair with partner schools and will share information as it becomes available.