Scroggs, Kirk

Personal

Born in Austin, TX. Education: University of Texas, degree (film).

Addresses

Home and office—Los Angeles, CA. E-mail—ginghamcounty@mac.com.

Career

Illustrator. Worked previously in retail sales.

Writings

Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2006.

Grampa's Zombie BBQ, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2006.

Monster Fish Frenzy: Deep-fried Terror Awaits!, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2006.

Super Soccer Freak Show, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2007.

Bigfoot Backpacking Bonanza, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2007.

Hair Ball from Outer Space, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2007.

Night of the Living Eggnog, Little, Brown (New York, NY), 2007.

Sidelights

As a boy, Kirk Scroggs entertained himself by drawing unusual pictures of monsters, witches, and zombies. As an adult, Scroggs has sustained this childhood hobby by expanding it into a career as an author and illustrator of children's books.

Compared by critics to Dav Pilkey's popular "Captain Underpants" series for upper elementary readers, Scroggs' stories utilize off-the-wall humor and pictures to capture readers' attention. Elaine E. Knight, reviewing the author's work for School Library Journal, noted that Scroggs' book Bigfoot Backpacking Bonanza, with its "smart-aleck dialogue, frenetic plot action, and mild but pervasive body jokes," is aimed squarely at the reluctant reader. Knight also commented on the book's comics-like illustrations, writing that Scroggs adds to the humor with disassociated but "amusing background activity, and a variety of visual puns." A Kirkus Reviews wrote of Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular that because the author/illustrator's fast-paced plot line allows the story to "zoom … by in a flash," Scroggs' books will likely leave bookstore shelves "with the speed of a Captain Underpants episode." Kathleen Meulen, reviewing the same book for School Library Journal, predicted that Scroggs' work will become a "high-interest choice for younger or reluctant readers."

Scroggs told SATA: "I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. In kindergarten, my teachers were so ‘impressed’ with my demented drawings of zombies, witches, and monsters that they called my parents and even recommended that a few ‘experts’ take a look at my work. Thankfully, for my poor mother, I grew out of this monster kick and went on to study film at the University of Texas. This inspired me to move to sunny Los Angeles to pursue the dream of working in retail and living in a luxury un-air-conditioned apartment. After years of re- assessment and reflection, I have finally realized my true calling: drawing demented pictures of zombies, witches, and monsters."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2006, review of Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular, p. 580.

School Library Journal, October, 2006, Kathleen Meulen, review of Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular, p. 126; August, 2007, Elaine E. Knight, review of Bigfoot Backpacking Bonanza, p. 92.