PAUL GILLIGAN writes and draws the syndicated comic strip Pooch Cafe with Andrews McMeel, which runs in over 250 newspapers around the world and has been twice nominated by the National Cartoonist Society for best strip. He is the author-illustrator of the Pluto Rocket series, King of the Mole People and its sequel, Rise of the Slugs. He also has other animated shows in development with Guru Animation and The Cartoon Network. Paul is based in Toronto, Ontario.
Tundra’s Best Books of 2024 as chosen by Kirkus Reviews One of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens, Spring 2025 PRAISE FOR Boy vs. Shark: ""An authentic and funny look at masculinity and growing pains that resonates across the decades."" —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews ""Gilligan powerfully explores shifting middle-grade friendship, exquisitely illustrating feelings of fear, anxiety, and joy in simple but expressive cartoon artwork."" —STARRED REVIEW, Booklist ""This hilarious look into life as a kid in the summer of 1975 is a must-have for any and all middle grade libraries."" —STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal ""Perfectly relatable for kids (and/or anyone who has ever been a kid), Gilligan’s Boy Vs. Shark is a fun exploration of childhood fears, anxieties about growing up and how we often start worrying far earlier than we need to."" —J. Caleb Mozzocco, School Library Journal ""There are lots of great messages in this book about growing up, making new friends, overcoming fear and self-doubt, connecting with family, forgiveness, and much more."" —CM: Canadian Review of Materials ""[A] sweet, funny, and closely observed memoir."" —Youth Services Book Reviews