‘Captain Underpants’ writer Dav Pilkey is hosting virtual drawing classes for kids during coronavirus isolation

Looking for more creative activities to keep littles entertained while isolating during the coronavirus outbreak? We hear you, mama. Quarantine life isn’t easy, that’s why we were thrilled to hear that the Library of Congress is collaborating with Captain Underpants and Dog Man author Dav Pilkey to create weekly video drawing lessons for kids.

Starting today, their website will include free videos and downloadable activities for kids to participate in. And, on Fridays at 8 am, viewers can enjoy Pelkey’s reading sessions from his books on its website and social media feeds.

In a new video, Pilkey explains that he’s stuck indoors just like his young fans are and is spending some time drawing his Little Petey the Cat character.

“And one thing a lot of people don’t know is that little Petey is actually based on my mom. My mom is one of the most optimistic, positive people I’ve ever met. Even when I was a kid and I was having a hard time at school she always had my back, and she always believed in me. Even sometimes when I didn’t believe in myself. And little Petey is a lot like my mom. He’s always looking on the bright side of life and I think that’s an important thing to do, especially when times are tough,” Pilkey says, before reminding kids to keep drawing, reading and doing good during the pandemic.

It’s a message kids (and moms) need these days.

“The Library of Congress is delighted to join forces with our friend Dav Pilkey and the nimble team at Scholastic to bring you Dav Pilkey at Home,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden told Publishers Weekly. “Our hope is to combine Dav’s artistic gifts and charisma with the wealth of knowledge in our collections. We know that Dav’s message of Do Good and the Library’s message of Engage, Inspire, Inform are natural partners and will bring children, parents and teachers many happy and fruitful moments during this difficult time.”

Each show will also feature tips from Pilkey for children to act out scenes from Dog Man books and for creating new characters of their own. This initiative truly comes as no surprise as Pilkey has made it his mission to promote literacy and creativity in children over the last two decades.

Be sure to tune in and if you need even more Pilkey, check out his other hilarious and heart-warming books.