Banks, Steven 1954–

PERSONAL:

Born November 27, 1954.

CAREER:

Writer and actor. Creator of animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. Writer and star of television special Steven Banks: Home Entertainment Center, 1989, and series The Steven Banks Show, 1994. Actor in films, including Beverly Hills Cop III, Company Man, and The Aristocrats, and in guest roles in television series, including Dream On, Caroline in the City, and Dharma & Greg.

WRITINGS:

NOVELS; FOR CHILDREN

CatDog's Vacation, illustrated by Brad McMahon, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2000.

CatDog Undercover, illustrated by David Maxey, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2000.

Sandy's Rocket, illustrated by Clint Bond, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2001.

Double Trouble (based on the teleplays by Scott Gray, Michael Bloom, and Andy McElfresh), Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2001.

Wild River Adventure, illustrated by Pilar Newton-Mitchell, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2002.

In Search of Reptar, illustrated by Artful Doodlers, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2002.

Battle of the Band, illustrated by Barry Goldberg, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2003.

Special Delivery!, illustrated by Vince DePorter, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2003.

The Big Halloween Scare, illustrated by Heather Martinez, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2003.

SpongeBob Pops Up!, illustrated by Heather Martinez, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2004.

Thanks a Lot, Robo-Turkey, illustrated by Tom La-Padula, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2004.

Lemonade with a Twist (based on the teleplay by Jack Thomas), illustrated by Victoria Miller, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2004.

Show Me the Bunny!, Simon Spotlight (New York, NY), 2004.

The Song That Never Ends, illustrated by Vince DePorter, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2004.

SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2004.

Trouble at the Krusty Krab!, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2004.

A Fairly Odd Halloween, illustrated by Victoria Miller, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2005.

Pick a Dad, Any Dad! (based on a teleplay by Andrew Nicholls and Darrell Vickers), illustrated by Harry Moore, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2005.

SpongeBob Goes to the Doctor, illustrated by Zina Saunders, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2005.

SpongeBob's Easter Parade, illustrated by Barry Goldberg, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2005.

Stop the Presses!, illustrated by Vince DePorter, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2005.

Welcome to Fifth Grade!, illustrated by Larissa Marantz and Katharine DiPaolo, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2005.

King of the Creeps, Alfred A. Knopf (New York, NY), 2006.

The Art Contest: No Cheating Allowed!, illustrated by Robert Dress, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon (New York, NY), 2006.

TELEVISION

The Steven Banks Show, thirteen episodes, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), 1994.

(With others) "Kooky Prank Day/Back to School," "Fred the Flying Fish," CatDog, Nickelodeon Network, 2000.

(With others) CatDog: The Great Parent Mystery, Nickelodeon Network, 2001.

(With others) "Incredible Shrinking Town," "Win, Lose and Kaboom!," The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, DNA Productions, 2004-06.

(With others) SpongeBob, SquarePants, twenty episodes, Nicktoons Productions, 2005- 07.

SIDELIGHTS:

Steven Banks has written numerous illustrated children's books based on animated television series, including SpongeBob SquarePants, which he created, and CatDog. He has also written novels for middle-grade readers, including King of the Creeps, set in 1960s New Jersey. The novel's protagonist, Tommy Johnson, is a depressed, socially awkward seventeen-year-old who is contemplating a suicidal leap from the George Washington Bridge. When he realizes that he resembles Bob Dylan, Tommy decides that being a folksinger will make him popular and "cool." He leaves his New Jersey home for New York City's Greenwich Village, and after several twists and turns winds up with a beautiful girlfriend and a chance to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. Matured by his experiences, Tommy learns that actions have consequences and music can carry a message for positive change.

Some reviewers found the novel entertaining, if implausible. A Publishers Weekly contributor pronounced it a "hilarious account of improbable events," while a Kirkus Reviews critic deemed it "inventive and wholly unbelievable, but fun from beginning to end." Catherine Ensley, writing in School Library Journal, wished for more depth of characterization, but nevertheless dubbed King of the Creeps "a quick and enjoyable read." In a Booklist review, Krista Hurley noted that the novel "wants to be funnier than it is," but added that this "light story with weighty undertones" is still effective.

The book's 1960s setting includes references to the Kennedy assassination, the civil rights movement, and popular-culture figures such as artist Andy Warhol, novelty singer Tiny Tim, and TV host Sullivan. Some critics, such as Hurley, praised the period atmosphere but noted that these references might be lost on contemporary teens. "King of the Creeps is about doing the right thing, inspiring change by facing fears, and setting an example," commented Lillian Brummet on the Web site Curled Up with a Good Kid's Book. Banks, she remarked, is a "talented author" who provides "intense insight into the minds of youth." She summed up the book by saying: "I truly enjoyed every moment of this tale."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 1, 2006, Krista Hurley, review of King of the Creeps, p. 79.

Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2006, review of King of the Creeps, p. 342.

Library Media Connection, October, 2006, Nancye Starkey, review of King of the Creeps, p. 73.

Publishers Weekly, June 5, 2006, review of King of the Creeps, p. 65.

School Library Journal, June, 2006, Catherine Ensley, review of King of the Creeps, p. 146.

ONLINE

Blogcritics.org,http://blogcritics.org/ (September 30, 2007), Brad Laidman, "Lost Classic: The Steven Banks Home Entertainment Center."

CatDog's 1st Fan Site,http://catdog1st.tripod.com/ (April 18, 2008), author interview.

Curled Up with a Good Kid's Book,http://www.curledupkids.com/ (April 18, 2008), Lillian Brummet, review of King of the Creeps.