A book for adults about books for children. Will be published in Italian in May 2024 by Terre di mezzo.

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

A New York Times Bestseller of 2023

★ “VERDICT: Another hilarious hit that will be a welcome addition to the lighter side of Christmas collections.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “Fantastic ideas bubble forth.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “The question of how roly-poly Santa can squeeze himself down any chimney, and even insinuate himself into spaces that have no chimney, is quite a stumper. But this mystery is tackled head-on (and hilariously) by the multi-award-winning team of Barnett and Klassen.” — Booklist, Starred Review

“A genial and witty picture book.”
—The Wall Street Journal

“ Barnett’s text expertly speculates as a child might, with ideas ranging from the logical to the playful…Theorizing is more entertaining than discovering an answer would be—the magic is in the mystery, after all, including the mystery of how Santa gets back up the chimney.” —Horn Book Reviews

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Shawn Harris

“Nonstop madcap fun.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Fans will be thrilled to see their favorite characters back in action.” —School Library Journal

★ PREORDER ★

Art by Christian Robinson

★ BUY ★

★ “ Endlessly inventive… a book that's built for rereading, this won't stay on shelves for long.” —Booklist, Starred Review

"There are no right or wrong answers. Each question is a trigger for a potentially wide ranging discussion. It’s a wonderfully interactive picture book. Read it and see where a child takes you.” — Children's Book of the Week, Sunday Times

“The perfect book for curious minds.” — Armadillo Magazine

“This brilliant picture book is fantastic for sharing with inquisitive minds […] Playful and profound, with bright artwork that seems deceptively simple, yet demands attention, this is sure to be a future classic in the vein of John Burningham’s Would You Rather?” — BookTrust

“The first page of this original book asks: “How many animals can you see in this picture?” Using collage and paint prints and pen drawings, it shows a tree full of creatures, from a peacock to a bear. “Ah,” you think. “It’s that kind of book, where we spot and count things.” But page two asks: “How many animals can you not see because they are hiding from the tiger?” The only creature in the picture is the tiger among leaves. You have to imagine the others. By question three: “Which of these ladies just robbed a bank?” you realise the book is not a test, but a conversation in which you make up your own story aided by pictures from which you may construct your case. There are no right or wrong answers. Each question is a trigger for a potentially wide-ranging discussion. It’s a wonderfully interactive picture book. Read it and see where a child takes you.”
—The Sunday Times

“This is creative, interactive picture-book fun, without question.” — Horn Book

“Each spread creates its own world, inviting readers to discuss. . . A humorous vein runs through the book, but other emotions are also evoked, including poignancy. . . The clever, attractive final spread—posterworthy—manages to be both open-ended and final. Humans depicted are diverse. . . .Quirky entertainment to jump-start creativity.” — Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★

Click here to buy the official hat of Mac’s Book Club Show, the once daily Covid-era read-aloud show that became a weekly read-aloud show and now still happens occasionally! All profits from this hat go to charity!

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

★ BUY ★

★A New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year★

★A New York Public Library’s Best Book of 2022★

★A Smithsonian Magazine’s 10 Best Children’s Books of 2022★

★A NY Post 35 Books to Gift★

★ “A delectable rendition of the oft-retold folktale.” —Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

★ “Guaranteed to elicit raucous fun and repeat performances.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “Readers may think they know this classic tale, but Barnett and Klassen truly make it their own. The magic’s in the details and humorous tone. Will be a favorite read-aloud among kids." —Booklist, Starred Review

“Picture book artistry at the absolute highest level.” —Dagens Nyheter (Sweden)

“Kids in your life with thank you for adding this fresh fairy-tale remake to their shelves.” —Smithsonian Magazine

"This classic Norwegian fairy tale gets a hilarious and thrilling update courtesy of the picture-book kings Barnett and Klassen that will have kids giggling and gasping at the same time." —NY Post

“With Mac’s classic wit and storytelling and Jon’s iconic art style, this one just feels so right for the bookshelf. —Barnesandnoble.com

★ BUY ★

★ BUY A COPY OF THE BOOK ★

FOR FIRST CAT MERCH, CLICK HERE.

“Hilarious.”
—The New York Times

★A New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2022★

★A Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Book★

★ THE #1 INDIEBOUND BESTSELLER ★
★ A TODAY Show Summer Pick ★
★ A Jenna’s Book Club Pick ★

"Ridiculously fun and brilliantly illustrated."
—Dav Pilkey

★ “Laugh-out-loud.”
—School Library Journal, Starred review

★ “In full, vivid color, the loose cartoon style exudes an infectious glee, flawlessly matching Barnett’s freewheeling, absurdist humor and plotting.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“A true comedic delight.”
—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books

“Epic lunacy."
—Kirkus Reviews

“A definite winner."
—Booklist

“Barnett’s fast-paced dialogue, pleasing non sequiturs, and humorous wordplay are amplified by Harris’s impressive illustrations. The surprisingly earnest themes of friendship and individual purpose combined with the absurd humor should resonate with this audience of readers.”
—The Horn Book Magazine

Behold! The Great Zapfino!

Art by Marla Frazee

★BUY★

★ “Worked in pencil on matte film, Frazee’s lightly smudgy comic line drawings convey relief, repose, terror, suspense, and, at last, Olympian-level physical skill in this droll comedy.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★“Behold: The Great Zapfino!” In this nearly wordless tale, Barnett and Frazee depict the story of a former circus performer who decides to explore a safer form of employment. In the beginning, readers see the fearless Zapfino climbing to great heights in his circus performance for an incredible leap. Then he breaks the fourth wall, looks straight at readers, and disappears. He retires to a seemingly quieter life as an elevator attendant in a high-rise building. But his circus training comes in handy in his new life as a toaster fiasco sets the building on fire and he, once again, must make a leap for his life! Readers will revel in Frazee’s black-and-white drawings that transform the intense life-or-death story line to one of whimsy and hilarity. Children will revel in their role of filling in the wordless pages with their own tale of what is happening in Zapfino’s life. VERDICT This charming tale will have children of all ages spellbound. Highly recommended for purchase.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“This fun mini-adventure will delight kids as they pore over the illustrations and fill in story details with their imaginations.”
—Booklist

“With its expert pacing and delightful details, this is a splendid collaboration between two picture-book greats.” —The Horn Book Review

“Children ages 4-8 will cheer as Zapfino tries to live up to his name in this funny and redemptive story.” —The Wall Street Journal

★BUY★

Illustrated by Kate Berube

★BUY NOW★

★A 2023 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice★

★A New York Public Library’s Best Book of 2022★

★A BookPage’s Best Book of 2022★

★A Chicago Public Library’s Best Picture Book of 2022★

★ “Employing sweet humor and sensory detail, Barnett and Berube convey the unexpected beauty of a school performance. The story’s collective, omniscient voice and graceful illustrations, wonderfully reminiscent of The Philharmonic Gets Dressed, portray a community that stays open and curious—and a child who shares their effort with brave vulnerability.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “It’s about the abundant and everyday courage of children, and it is also about “sharing gifts.” John faces down his fear to share his gift with determination, beauty and a style that is all his own. A true gift, indeed.”
—BookPage, Starred Review

★ “A sensitive story… Barnett and Berube bring mastery of craft as well as an understanding of human nature.”
The Horn Book, Starred Review

“A respectful, wonderfully childlike introduction to ballet.”
—Booklist

“A lovely, empowering book.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“This wonderful children’s book is filled with tender illustrations and a lovely story about a boy who is waiting for his turn at Friday Assembly where they have a “Sharing Gifts” portion. I just loved this book, especially the ending.”
—Book Riot

★BUY NOW★

Illustrations by Carson Ellis

★ BUY ★

★ “Caldecott Honor artist Carson Ellis (Duz Iz Tak) invitingly renders the child's quest in vibrant, multi-layered spreads of gouache on watercolor paper… Barnett, meanwhile, gently underscores to all readers the familiar, rewarding comforts of true, unconditional love.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

★“Lovely and lyrical . . . Flat gouache paintings provide the perfect ethereal setting for the fairy tale-like story. . . . The words and images work together to create layers of thought and understanding, making [What Is Love?] rewarding to a wide range of readers.” —Booklist, Starred Review

★“This poetic story appeals to a wide range of readers. . . Together, the narrative and illustrations are well balanced. . . Young children and their families will enjoy the blend of silliness and beauty in this memorable depiction of one boy’s quest to learn more about love.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review

“[With] some pleasingly humorous touches along the way . . . Ellis’ gouache art is familiarly spare yet gemütlich, picking up the text’s folkloric mood as the boy travels. [What Is Love?] could lead to some interesting discussions about how we all define love.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Gouache paintings by Ellis give the story a fairy tale atmosphere, and a sense of theater, too, as rakishly costumed characters pose like actors on a stage. Barnett injects humor by making the book’s hero honest to a fault. . . . Ellis’s spreads. . . retain her distinctive look throughout—an aesthetic perfectly suited to the tender moment when the boy returns home to the person who answers his question.” —Publishers Weekly

“[C]aptured in richly colored gouache illustrations by Ellis [and] distinctive hand-lettering . . . [t]his moving, but never cloying, book—a specialty of author Barnett—will have children putting their inferencing skills to work. . . . Ellis’s subtle details are gratifying—especially the grandmother’s cozy pink house, the book’s beating heart. Wholly lovable.” —The Horn Book Magazine

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

The Queen of England calls on her trusty spy, Mac B., once again. This time, Mac must navigate secret tunnels beneath the Berlin Wall in order to retrieve cheat codes from a Soviet scientist. Floppy disk in hand, our hero finds himself trapped in East Germany, stuck between the wall and the Stasi. How will he escape? Well it is 1989, and walls do fall down.

★ BUY ★

★ "Barnett and Lowery bring the funny to the serious art of espionage in a perfect interplay of text and illustration...Barnett interweaves tidbits of global history fit for trivia lovers, while Lowery's comic-style images play a key role in the humor...Told with a sense of nostalgia for 1980s history and pop culture, the silliness and originality of this book will hook young readers." —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Riotous.” —Publishers Weekly

“Barnett’s knack for both quirky situational humor and heartfelt sentiment work in tandem to create a balanced—while still outrageous—early-chapter-book caper.” —The Horn Book Magazine

★ BUY ★

Art by Greg Pizzoli

On rainy days, Jack loves nothing more than playing video games. But when lightning strikes and Jack finds himself trapped inside his favorite game, will he find a way out before it's game over?

★BUY★

★ “A rad addition to Barnett and Pizzoli’s early readers [series]. . . Zip to get this Zapped Jack book.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Jack is a rule-proof bundle of bunny-eared id who does as he pleases, and therein lies his considerable charm.” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books

★BUY★

Art by Shawn Harris

Follow a magnificent polar bear through a fantastic world of snow and shockingly blue sea. Over the ice, through the water, past Arctic animals and even a human . . . where is he going? What does he want?

★ BUY★

A Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of 2021

A Chicago Public Library, New York Public Library, and Amazon Best Book of 2020

★ “Mesmerizing.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “A winning must.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “Perfect.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “Succinct... yet sophisticated.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“An understated, reflective, and loving portrayal that also serves as a celebration of wonder and wandering.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“Starkly beautiful and clever.” —Inis Magazine

“This is a frosty little whimsy with enough of an edge, between the hint at reality for the seals and the bear’s snarl at a human interloper, to be interesting, and Barnett deftly wields a tidy, P. D. Eastman—esque structure that immediately attracts listeners. The book’s opening visuals draw on the titular joke, with the bear’s black nose and eyes gradually emerging out of solid whiteness, but the art soon resolves into endearingly casual cut and torn paper collage. Layers of rough, grainy paper create snowdrifts as well as simply cut creatures, and touches of shadow and black pigment are almost the only contrast until the bear goes into a literal deep dive and everything, including the bear himself, turns into an inviting sky blue.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

★ BUY★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

When Jack finds himself on the naughty list, he worries that Santa will bring him coal. But Jack wants presents— lots of them. Will Jack be able to prove to Santa that he's not so bad after all?

★BUY★

A Horn Book Magazine Holiday High Note of 2020

★ “Barnett’s textual restraint allows Pizzoli to ramp up the humor as pictures highlight just how bad Jack has been—and how good. The result is a humane and humorous secular Christmas story that offers the gift of supporting readers’ burgeoning decoding abilities with a well-developed, comical story…You better watch out for this excellent early reader.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Vigorous lines, a mock-scoldy tone, and a cheerful Christmas palette provide a seasonal treat for fans.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“Jack is a rule-proof bundle of bunny-eared id who does as he pleases, and therein lies his considerable charm.” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books

★BUY★

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

England is in trouble! A priceless violin has been stolen, and there's only one person who can help: Mac B., kid spy. Mac's adventure takes him on a top-secret museum night watch, zip-lining in Italy with his trusty corgi sidekick, and on an undercover mission in the heart of enemy territory. But when he ends up as a captured prisoner, is the mission lost for good?

★BUY★

★ "Barnett and Lowery bring the funny to the serious art of espionage in a perfect interplay of text and illustration...Barnett interweaves tidbits of global history fit for trivia lovers, while Lowery's comic-style images play a key role in the humor...Told with a sense of nostalgia for 1980s history and pop culture, the silliness and originality of this book will hook young readers." —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Riotous.” —Publishers Weekly

“Barnett’s knack for both quirky situational humor and heartfelt sentiment work in tandem to create a balanced—while still outrageous—early-chapter-book caper.” —The Horn Book Magazine

★BUY★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

The Lady gives Jack a gift. It's a lab kit! Jack goes into the shed to experiment and doesn't come out until he's made another Jack and another Jack and another. But one Jack was already too many. Can Jack stop his naughty robot clones before they destroy the town?

★BUY★

★ “You better watch out for this excellent early reader.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Jack is a rule-proof bundle of bunny-eared id who does as he pleases, and therein lies his considerable charm.” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books

“Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli’s illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. his series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny.” —The Horn Book Magazine

★BUY★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Jack, Rex, and the Lady visit the zoo. But when Jack gets hungry, he sneaks into a koala's cage to steal some snacks. In a case of mistaken identity, the Lady takes the koala home and leaves Jack stuck in the cage. How will Jack escape, and will the Lady and Rex be happier with the new Jack?

★BUY★

★ "You better watch out for this excellent early reader." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Jack is a rule-proof bundle of bunny-eared id who does as he pleases, and therein lies his considerable charm.” —The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books

“Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli’s illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. his series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny.” —The Horn Book Magazine

★BUY★

Illustrated by Claire Keane

Paolo the dachshund is trapped. Though he lives in Rome, a city filled with history and adventure, he is confined to a hair salon. Paolo dreams of the sweet life—la dolce vita—in the Eternal City. And then, one day, he escapes! Paolo throws himself into the city, finding adventure at every turn. Join our hero as he discovers the wonders of Rome: the ruins, the food, the art, the opera, and—of course—the cats. Readers will cheer the daring of this bighearted dog, whose story shows that even the smallest among us can achieve great things.

★ BUY ★

★ “[A] bighearted tale that champions honor for honor’s sake.”
—Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review

★ "Both Keane's art and Barnett's plucky hero give the big city of Rome an exciting and inviting feel, making it a delightful adventure for readers and travelers of all ages." —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

"In a single day, Paolo wins over the dogs of Rome, its people, and the pope; he’ll just as easily endear himself to readers." —School Library Journal

“Readers will be endeared to Paolo instantly, with his lust for life and pluckiness in the face of adversity. Barnett’s text is simple but imbued with a sense of dramatic beauty and humor. Keane’s illustrations recall gorgeous pastel crayons swept across the page, capturing the elegance of Rome and the charm of the adorable pooch at the heart of the story.”
—Booklist

“Joyful…Claire Keane’s illustrations evoke the noise and vitality of Rome at its most rewarding. [A] charmer.” —Wall Street Journal

“Barnett's theatrical narrator works in tandem with the hilariously pompous pooch to carry this rib-tickling romp with infectious bravado. Keane's illustrations feature thick black outlines and an earthy, Mediterranean color palette applied with the look of oil pastels. The beautifully textured architecture and action sequences harken back to classic picture-books artists like Ludwig Bemelmans, Dr. Seuss, and H.A. Rey. A pair of wordless spreads even gives the pup a wild rumpus.… Molto bene!”
—Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

The Lady and Rex have a baseball game against the Big City Brats. Jack is not allowed to swing the bat, so he is told to be the Bat Boy. That is, until the Lady Town Ladies and the Big City Brats are tied. It's up to Jack to hit a home run, but on the way to home plate he spots some snacks…

★ BUY ★

★ “Jack is a rule-proof bundle of bunny-eared id who does as he pleases, and therein lies his considerable charm.”
—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books, Starred Review

“A home run.”
—Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Jack and the Lady take the train West to visit a dude ranch. One night, there's a bank robbery next door, and Jack is pegged as the bandit. But thanks to Jack's new rope tricks, the real robber is caught, and Jack leaves the Wild West a free rabbit with a big secret.

★ BUY ★

★ “This book has everything that kids love and will help make them stronger readers. You can’t beat that.”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Jack is a rule-proof bundle of bunny-eared id who does as he pleases, and therein lies his considerable charm.”
—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books

“The creators' successful subversion of moralistic primers will inevitably delight readers… Bank on fun with this one—it'll rope readers in.”
—Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

The Queen of England calls on Mac B. once again! This time, Mac must crack a secret code that has been recovered from a double agent. A series of clues leads Mac to France, and then to Japan, where he comes face-to-face with his arch-nemesis, the KGB man... and the world headquarters of Nintendo! Is the KGB Man secretly behind all of this? And are Mac's video game skills good enough to facedown his enemy at the Video Game World Championships?

★ BUY ★

★ "Barnett and Lowery bring the funny to the serious art of espionage in a perfect interplay of text and illustration...Barnett interweaves tidbits of global history fit for trivia lovers, while Lowery's comic-style images play a key role in the humor...Told with a sense of nostalgia for 1980s history and pop culture, the silliness and originality of this book will hook young readers." —School Library Journal, Starred Review

"Barnett takes his readers on a fun-filled ride...Barnett's tone throughout the story is humorous, lighthearted, and a little glib, and the over-the-top story is sure to appeal to many readers.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Barnett’s knack for both quirky situational humor and heartfelt sentiment work in tandem to create a balanced—while still outrageous—early-chapter-book caper.” —The Horn Book Magazine

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

Ravens have been stolen from the Tower of London! Mac B.'s top-secret mission? Travel to Iceland and retrieve the ravens... or Britain is ruined! In Iceland, Mac discovers secret submarines, hungry polar bears, mysterious blueprints... and his old archnemesis! Is the KGB man behind this birdnapping? Can Mac get the ravens to safety? It's time for an epic, top secret smackdown between these two secret agents!

★ BUY ★

★ "Barnett and Lowery bring the funny to the serious art of espionage in a perfect interplay of text and illustration...Barnett interweaves tidbits of global history fit for trivia lovers, while Lowery's comic-style images play a key role in the humor...Told with a sense of nostalgia for 1980s history and pop culture, the silliness and originality of this book will hook young readers." —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“Exciting action sneakily infused with points about the relationship between reality and story.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Highly recommended.”
—School Library Journal

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

Why is the ocean blue? What is the rain? What happened to the dinosaurs? It might be time for bed, but one child is too full of questions about the world to go to sleep just yet. Little ones and their parents will be charmed and delighted as a patient father offers up increasingly creative responses to his child’s nighttime wonderings. Any child who has ever asked “Why?” — and any parent who has attempted an explanation — will recognize themselves in this sweet storybook for dreamers who are looking for answers beyond “Just because.”

★ BUY ★

★ “A charming celebration of bedtime rituals and parent-child affection, this book also underscores the importance of fostering imagination and wonderment while nurturing young minds”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “The exacting, exquisite phrasing electrifies readers, and full-bleed illustrations pull them into an extraordinary alternate universe… Charming, playful, and extraordinary imaginings will galvanize young minds to find inspired answers to their own questions.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Gently philosophical.”
The Globe and Mail

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

When the Lady is mad at Jack, she decides to send him and Rex on a one-way trip to outer space. While she enjoys some rare peace and quiet, Jack and Rex get into trouble, resulting in their exile to the dark side of the moon. After an alien chase and some snacks, Jack and Rex get blasted home to Earth. But will the Lady take naughty Jack back?

★ BUY ★

“Winning.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli’s illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. his series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny.”
—The Horn Book Magazine

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Meet Jack: He lives in a tree house. His interests include snacks, petty theft, and lipstick graffiti. Jack also loves his friends, he just has a funny way of showing it sometimes…

★ BUY ★

★ “Barnett works wonders with a limited vocabulary, packing the stories with humor, tension—and admonishments of Jack. Pizzoli’s scruffy-edged, emotive cartoons are just as funny, and he carries the comedy into drawing lessons and closing endpapers.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“The interplay between Barnett's verbal and Pizzoli's visual humor results in rollicking surprises at almost every page turn.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Barnett makes creative use of a limited and largely decodable vocabulary for comedic effect, which invites beginners to read with expression and confidence. Pizzoli’s illustrations, full of bold outlines and saturated colors, amplify the energy and dynamism in each story line. The text and illustrations work in tandem, sharing the weight of the narrative and blurring the lines between the picture book and easy reader genres while conforming to the physical specifications of the latter. his series promises an energetic romp through the good, the bad, and the bunny.”
—The Horn Book Magazine

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby

In forty-two inspired pages, this biography artfully plays with form and language to vividly bring to life one of greatest children’s book creators who ever lived: Margaret Wise Brown.

★ BUY ★

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019

“I love this book like life itself.”
—Ann Patchett

★ “Groundbreaking.”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “Brave.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

★ “The important thing about this review is to say this picture book is great. Here and now, we say to Barnett and Jacoby: We SEE what you've done. You've paid tribute to a woman who changed picture books. Forever. You've acknowledged her queerness, telling readers she fell in love "with a woman called Michael and a man called Pebble." You've honored her words with references to such titles as Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, The Little Fur Family, and more. You've sat with her respect for child readers as thinking, feeling, whole beings, and you've invited us, your readers, and hers, to do the same. You've framed her conflict with a stuffy librarian as an epic, funny battle. Just like Brown's texts, yours is quirky, and sweet, experimental, funny, and at times heartbreakingly gorgeous. And Jacoby channels Clement Hurd, and Leonard Weisgard, and Garth Williams, and so many other Brown collaborators—and yet? Jacoby remains herself. Just like Margaret Wise Brown was herself, her whole life long. Or her whole life short, really, right? Isn't it a shame she died so young? At 42—as you document in this picture-book biography, this love letter to her life, and to her astonishing legacy to children's literature. Honestly? We don't know what more to say. But we guess we will say this: have a carrot. You've earned it. And so much more. The important thing is that you wrote this picture book—this picture book about Margaret Wise Brown. A runaway success.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “Barnett’s confiding tone draws readers in… then makes the case for Brown’s work.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “It’s now clear that the librarian bunny and Mac Barnett share a common passion: advocacy for children’s free access to books. And who better to carry that banner than Margaret Wise Brown, whose books have been vindicated by decades of children who have assayed such titles as Goodnight Moon and found them valuable. Although Brown’s life ended at forty-two, her often strange picture books bear the stamp that counts—the author’s name on the covers of titles in print decades after her passing. The librarian bunny concludes, ‘The important thing about Margaret Wise Brown is that she wrote books.’ Her bunny listeners, and Barnett’s audience as well, may begin to suspect that there could be other books, quirky and strange and wonderful, that aren’t reaching their paws right now in 2019. Children old enough to look back at their Brown favorites with happy nostalgia will surely enjoy this creatively rendered backstory, while teachers and librarians will see connections between Moore’s collection exclusion and broader issues of access, making this age-accessible material for Banned Books Week.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Starred Review

“Barnett’s assertion that it is important for children’s books to reflect the things children think of and do, is never more pressing than it is in troubled times.”
—Bustle

Sarah Jacoby’s Margaret Wise Brown Research Blog

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

This book is about Circle. This book is also about Circle’s friends, Triangle and Square. Also it is about a rule that Circle makes, and how she has to rescue Triangle when he breaks that rule.

★ BUY ★

A New York Times bestseller

“An elegant picture book in which simple shapes and succinct story express big ideas.”
—The Sunday Times

★ “The shape friends continue to be peculiarly enchanting with their childlike simplicity, enhanced by the accessibly readable sentences and zingy authenticity (Square’s immediate tattling on Triangle and Circle’s harsh question of “Why are you such a bad friend?” are intensely realistic). With each shapes outing Klassen outdoes himself on doing much with little; in this case, the succession of spreads that go from gloomy to inky black, with only eyes to represent the characters, sets a high-water mark of minimalism that will be hard to beat but that works effortlessly and comedically within context. The book concludes by inviting the audience to join the shape friends in imagining what the being in the cave could be. That suggestion, issued with a light touch, moves deftly on from the story’s summation without breaking the mood, so even kids resistant to more didactic entreaties may be enticed to join the characters as they wonder.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Starred Review

“In typical Barnett-Klassen style, humor and light philosophical musings mingle to form a story that will entertain children and adults alike. Because much of the story takes place in darkness, readers are called upon to use their imaginations, making this oddball friendship tale an off-kilter treat.”
—Booklist

“Like Square and Triangle, Circle teaches shapes while challenging kids to think, in this case, about what they know and don't know.”"
—Arkansas Democrat Gazette

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

The Crown Jewels are in danger... again! When the jewels go missing from inside a locked room, Mac's spy skills are put to the test. How did the thief break in? Where did the jewels go? And will Mac be able to solve this locked room mystery before the thief escapes? This mystery isn't just a whodunit... it's a howdunit!

★ BUY ★

A New York Times bestseller

“This clever locked-room mystery about the theft of the Crown Jewels is a whodunit and howdunit, but the real mystery is how Mac Barnett packs in so much fun—and actual history.”
—Commonsense Media

“This young spy does not suffer from the sophomore slump!”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Barnett's signature dry wit and snappy back-and-forths, particularly between the ingenuously sincere Mac and the standoffish Queen, keep the story steadily moving forward.”
—The Horn Book Magazine

"Barnett opens his casebook again-this time to solve a classic locked-room mystery...Almost every page contains Lowery's illustrations, loosely drawn and garishly colored in green and orange, which give the whole affair a zany feel that is much enhanced by the narrative with its running gags. Kudos to a pint-size Poirot, pre-Mustache!" —Booklist

★ BUY ★

With Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell

It's everybody's final year at Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy. Some things are different, and some things never change. Principal Barkin is trying his hand at pranks. Former Principal Barkin has returned, vowing to crush all pranskters. Josh Barkin is calling everybody a nimbus. And of course the Terrible Two are planning one more prank. Who will have the last laugh? Well, probably Miles and Niles. Right?

★ BUY ★

Visit The Terrible Two website HERE.

“Hilarious....Fast-paced and laugh-aloud funny, the book will appeal to a wide range of readers.... Quirky writing and colorful dialogue make the book an excellent read-aloud.” —School Library Journal

"Daringly different and acutely observant, this sparkling series is as clever as it is comical. No self-respecting prankster would want to miss it!" —The Lancashire Evening Post

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Mike Lowery

My name is Mac Barnett and I am an author. But before I was an author, I was a kid. And when I was a kid, I was a spy.

★ BUY ★

A New York Times bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of 2018

★ “The silliness and originality of this book will hook young readers.”
—School Library Journal , Starred Review

“Riotous.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Barnett’s knack for both quirky situational humor and heartfelt sentiment work in tandem to create a balanced—while still outrageous—early-chapter-book caper.”
—The Horn Book Magazine

”An enjoyable romp that will leave readers salivating for the sequel.”
—Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

This book is about Square. This book is also about Square’s friend Circle. Also it is about Square trying to make something perfect, like Circle is. But it is hard to make something perfect.

★ BUY ★

A New York Times Bestseller

★ “Comic gold.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “A must purchase.”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

“A typically original delight, full of minimalist images, dry humour and an undercurrent of philosophical debate.”
—The Daily Mail

“Droll, subdued and enigmatic, this second volume of a planned trilogy will delight children ages 5-9.”
—The Wall Street Journal

“Inquisitive, witty, and awash with intelligence and depth, it’s just lovely.”
—The Belfast Telegraph

“Square may doubt he’s a genius, but there is no doubt about the genius contained within this witty picture book.”
—The Columbian

“A philosophical...droll meditation on art, work, and imposter syndrome, with elements of the Sisyphus and Narcissus myths….Is it about the dangers of bluffing? Or undervaluing our talents? Or a subtle meditation on importance of luck over cunning? Klassen, the master of shifty eyes, keeps us guessing, while Barnett’s text is ripe with comic self-doubt.”
—The Evening Standard

“Funny and lightly philosophical.”
—Booklist

“Witty, thoughtful…a compelling read-aloud.”
—The Horn Book

“Chockablock with philosophical topics to ponder and debate.”
—Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★

With Jory John, illustrations by Kevin Cornell

School's out and pranksters Miles and Niles have retreated to a perfect hideout in the woods, complete with snacks, games, books, sleeping bags, stream-chilled lemonade...and a stolen flag of nearby Yawnee Valley Yelling and Push-Ups Camp. But their leafy, lazy days darken when bully Josh Barkin and fellow cadets vow to get their flag back. It's war, but one that pits nimble minds and hard fists; and as pranksters know, the real art of war is winning without landing a single blow.

★ BUY ★

Visit The Terrible Two website HERE. 

“Hilarious....Fast-paced and laugh-aloud funny, the book will appeal to a wide range of readers.... Quirky writing and colorful dialogue make the book an excellent read-aloud.” —School Library Journal

"Daringly different and acutely observant, this sparkling series is as clever as it is comical. No self-respecting prankster would want to miss it!" —The Lancashire Evening Post

 ★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

This is a story about a duck and mouse who get swallowed by a wolf, and then decide to live in his belly.

★ BUY ★

A New York Times Best Seller
A New York Times Editors' Choice Selection
A New York Times Notable Book of 2017
A Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2017
An IndieBound Best Seller
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2017
An IndieBound Top 10 Kids Next List Pick
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Booklist Editors' Choice Selection
A Shelf Awareness Best Picture Book of 2017
Barnes & Noble's Best of 2017
New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids 2017
Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books 2017
An Amazon Best Kids’ Book of 2017
A Horn Book Fanfare Selection
A Southern Living's Best Children's Books of 2017
A Twenty By Jenny’s Best Books of 2017

★ “Delightfully entertaining, wholly original.”   
— The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

★ "A rare treasure of a story."
— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "Spectacularly hysterical."
— Booklist, Starred Review

★ "Reminiscent of classic animal fables, with this winning team’s signature humor and charm, this is a first purchase for any picture book collection."
— School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ "Distinctly funny, imagination-stirring and lovely to look at."
— Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

★ “Funny."
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Starred Review

★ “Classic."
— Quill & Quire, Starred Review

"A model of storytelling."
— The Guardian

“Terrific.”
— The Wall Street Journal

“A darkly witty collaboration.”
— The New York Times

"Fantastic."
— Huffington Post

“First-rate.”
— Buffalo News

"Inventive."
— St. Louis Post Dispatch

“Hilarious.”
— Toronto Star

"Uproarious."
— The Irish Times

“Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen do it again.”
— Bookpage

"A howl."
— Kirkus Reviews

"Wickedly charming."
— The Columbian

"Delightful."
— School Library Connection

"I’m certainly not the first to say this, but Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen are consistently putting out some of the most compelling picture books on the market."
— Roarbots

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

I like you like a tree.
You're funny like a fossil.
I love you like a pig. 

★ BUY ★
 

★ “Encourages big, imaginative thinking."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Delightfully open-ended, innovative, and screwy... It’s funny as hell and a breath of fresh air."
—Kirkus Reviews

“Another wonky winner.”
—Booklist

“Love, joy, and ridiculous similes come together in this confectionary absurdity from noted talents Barnett and Pizzoli.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

 ★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Renata Liwska

We have so many places to be! Places to be loud and lovely and scared and jubilant.

★ BUY ★

"Funny and gentle."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Highlights the beauty and complex nature of friendship."
—School Library Journal

 ★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

This book is about Triangle. This book is also about Triangle's friend Square. Also it is about a sneaky trick Triangle plays on his friend Square.

★ BUY ★

An NPR Great Read of 2017
A BookPage Best Book of 2017
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Hudson Booksellers Best of 2017

★ “This shape showdown is pure, antic buffoonery.”
— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “A marvelously clever picture book. . . . Barnett and Klassen’s planned trilogy is shaping up to be an excellent one.”
— Booklist, Starred Review

"A Masterpiece."
— Quill & Quire

"Funnier with every read."
— National Post

"Thoroughly original."
— The Irish Times

“Beautiful.”
— Kirkus Reviews

"The supremely talented Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen team up in a funny and surreal picture book."
— Shelf Awareness

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Brian Biggs

It's a noisy night in this city building! The residents of each floor can hear their neighbors above them, and are wondering what's going on above their heads. Climb floor by floor and page by page to find out whose singing, dancing, cheering, and cooing are keeping a grumpy old man awake.

★ BUY ★

★ "Mac Barnett cleverly packs a punch with his spare text as he builds each surprise up to a humorous crescendo…The interior’s bright pages explode with color illustrating the various sound-makers gleefully producing their cacophonous activities."
—Booklist, Starred Review

★ "Story after story of silly surprises and sounds."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Gleefully loud."
—The New York Times

"A wild and interactive read aloud."
—The Horn Book Magazine

"The improbable cast...and their percussive exclamations will elicit plenty of bedtime chuckles.”
—Publishers Weekly

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Elise Parsley

When Paxton C. Heymeyer’s babysitter tells him to say the magic word, she could never have imagined that what would happen next would be a walrus chasing her, an elephant in the living room playing cards, and a full water park and moat in the front yard. And that’s just the beginning…

★ BUY ★

A subversive take on the topic of manners that still manages to deliver a message about human decency.
—The Horn Book

Brightly colored digital illustrations perfectly complement the text and convey Paxton’s over-the-top antics, while showing both his fiendish and vulnerable sides. Although the moral “be careful what you wish for” is a well-used theme, this telling will resonate with(and tickle) the intended audience.
—Booklist

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Adam Rex

The people who made this book had to brave dangerous animals, an angry mob, unreasonable editorial demands, high-seas adventure, traffic, and a tense game of chance where EVERYTHING was on the line.

You might even call them American heroes. But they were just doing their jobs. It’s how this book was made.

 ★ BUY ★

"I loved it. Kids reading this book will be fascinated...and they’ll be reassured that it takes a lot of work and patience to make any piece of literature."
—New York Times

"Barnett and Rex, no strangers to metafiction, have outdone themselves."
—The Horn Book Magazine

The long-suffering writer waits and waits while his manuscript gets edited and rewritten; he waits while the illustrator gets around to drawing the pictures; he waits some more while it gets printed halfway around the world, and then finally…
—San Francisco Chronicle

"Its approach is lighthearted, but this picture book tells youngsters the basics about publishing — and can be used at home or in a classroom as a great way to explore storytelling and literature in general.” 
—Montreal Gazette

"Wildly comic."
—Booklist

"The mad geniuses behind Chloe and the Lion are back to push picture book metafiction to its hilarious limit."
—Huffington Post

"Mac Barnett and Adam Rex have a solid hit with How This Book Was Made.... The fun is in the hyperbolic storytelling and the creative illustrations." 
—The Booklist Reader

 ★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Matt Myers

Brush your Teeth. Make your Bed. And never EVER open the red door.

★ BUY ★

★ "Readers will (probably) agree that even the most irritating siblings don't deserve to be cooked and eaten. As a rule."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "Barnett and Myers have created a winning tale of sibling rivalry and, ultimately, loyalty. Barnett’s trademark dry humor appears in full force, and Myers’ illustrations are wonderfully detailed.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

★ "This is a tour de force of comic horror that grabs gleefully onto both film and folklore tropes and offers them to audiences with a comradely nudge in the ribs. The pacing is delicious and self-aware, the horror is oversized enough to be funny without losing its creepiness, and Ian’s rules-lawyering is comedy gold. Thickly painted strokes create dimensionality in the illustrations, and the art combines cinematic perspectives and echoes (this is the cabiniest of cabins in the woods), clever compositions, and solid visual characterization of the kids. The scenes in the gloom of night are appropriately portentous even when they’re not dramatic, but their tone is carefully balanced with interleaved spreads of vignettes against white backgrounds. Sibling rivalry, boisterous humor, and a tasteful touch of supernatural slasher horror—what’s an elementary-schooler not to like?"
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review

"Barnett focuses his inimitable blend of energy and fiendish imagination on children’s fascination with the rules....No solemn moralizing, just a rib-tickling, slightly subversive readaloud."
—Publishers Weekly

★ BUY ★

With Jory John, illustrations by Kevin Cornell

Miles Murphy and Niles Sparks are great at being terrible. Nearly every day the pranking duo turns Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy upside down with their stunts. The Big Chirp. The Cafeteria Calamity. Their pranks bring joy to their classmates and embarrassment to their nemesis: blowhard Principal Barkin. But one day—school picture day to be precise—a scheme goes too far, and Principal Barkin ends up fired. His replacement: his father, who is also named Principal Barkin. The new principal runs the school with an iron fist, out to destroy all signs of fun. No group work. No Pajama Day. And definitely no pranking.

★ BUY ★

Visit The Terrible Two website HERE. 

"John and Barnett's sophomore effort is as much fun as series opener The Terrible Two...Cornell's line drawings add to the goofy, deadpan experience. This revenger's comedy, dotted with references to classic plays and philosophical concepts, will be a joy for pranksters and seekers of a good-hearted laugh.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Hilarious....Fast-paced and laugh-aloud funny, the book will appeal to a wide range of readers.... Quirky writing and colorful dialogue make the book an excellent read-aloud.”
—School Library Journal

"Full of absorbing strategy and even a little suspense, this humorous sequel will keep readers entertained while offering insight into the nature of successful pranking and its reliance on audience reaction."
—Horn Book Magazine

"This humorous sequel makes for engaging, fast-paced reading that again highlights the meaning of friendship, and animated, amusing cartoon illustrations enhance and extend the story."
—Booklist

"Daringly different and acutely observant, this sparkling series is as clever as it is comical. No self-respecting prankster would want to miss it!"
—The Lancashire Evening Post

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Christian Robinson

You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can't even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo's efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. That is how Leo and Jane become friends. And that is when their adventures begin.

Most people cannot see ghosts. Can you?

★ BUY ★

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2015
A Boston Globe Best Book of 2015
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2015
A Publisher's Weekly Best Picture Book of 2015

★ "Together, words and pictures construct a whimsical, delightful story that deeply respects the child. And in Jane, they create a brilliant heroine whose powers lie within her wit, her open mind, and her freedom of play. Dazzling."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "It’s a warm and wise story about acceptance trumping difference—including that between life and death."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "A whimsical tale from Barnett aptly accompanied by enthralling artwork by Robinson. What’s not to drool over?"
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “A tender, touching story of friendship and the power of imagination.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

★  "Barnett and Robinson celebrate play, as Jane breaks gender roles and includes Leo among her imaginary friends.... Will he be able to explain himself without blowing his cover? This deceptively simple story examines deep themes of perception and truth, friendship and loyalty."
—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

"Christian Robinson, the book’s illustrator, is one of the most exciting children’s book artists working today...I love the palette of “Leo”: black, white, gray and various shades of moody blue, in a mix of acrylic paint and chunky ­construction-paper collage. Leo is a simple white ghostly outline with Brylcreemed-looking hair and a bow tie. The living people are done in varying blue tones. Jane is sapphire-skinned but reads African-American to me, with her braided or twisted hair — drawn as cheerful little dots — in a high side ponytail. The look of the book is mod and sparky enough to delight design-loving parents, while the text, by Mac Barnett is wry, evocative and rich. “After dinner Jane returned to her room and gave Leo a sword. They snuck into a cave, slew a dragon, and stole all his loot. When Leo closed his eyes, he could almost see the gold coins and green scales.” The story has a light touch, but there’s so much depth: a fearful ghost, a take-charge girl, an interracial friendship, and a tale in which fear is integrally and sweetly tied to positive qualities of imagination."
—The New York Times

"Terrific" and "tender."
—The Wall Street Journal

"Barnett and Robinson are a picture-book dream team. As always Robinson shows that he is a genius of mood—shades of blue and heavy black lines cast a melancholy glow—and posture....Despite Leo’s ghost status there is nothing spooky about this moving story of friendship, acceptance, and belonging."
—The Boston Globe

"This innocent yet sophisticated story will appeal to small listeners and their favorite adults."
—The Washington Post

"Leo's plight will strike a chord with any kid who has felt lonely or left out...the book emphasizes a certain sweetness with Barnett's stripped down prose and Christian Robinson's adorable illustrations."
—National Post

“A heartening parable of seeing through difference, meeting the unfamiliar with unflinching friendliness, and dignifying the reality of the other.”
—Brain Pickings

“One particularly great thing about this book is that the pictures are all drawn in different shades of blue. It taps into underlying melancholy of Leo’s situation: Leo, of course, is a ghost who haunts a house until its new inhabitants make it clear that they have no interest in sharing the space with him. So the ghost boy makes the sad decision to relocate, and finds—and then saves—a new friend in the process. The story doesn’t tell us how he became a ghost at such a young age, and it doesn’t promise that his imaginative new friend will always trust him. But that ambiguity keeps it from falling into the syrupy-sweet traps that make so many kids’ books so irritating.”
—The Daily Beast

"This tender, wistful tale of friendship, innocence, and belief is an absolute joy—simply and movingly told, with quirky illustrations that tug at the heartstrings even as they raise a smile."
—Teach Early Years

"At it's heart, this tale is an affirmation of friendship and acceptance, with Leo learning that a true friend will love him as he is... It’s also a powerful paean to the wonders of a child’s imagination, and the intricate games about knights and dragons, golden treasures and glorious feasts, initiated by go-getter Jane, have a familiar resonance about them that will make parents smile."
—MyLittleStyleFile

★ BUY ★ 

Illustrated by Patrick McDonnell

I thought it was funny that a skunk and I could be going in the same direction. But after a mile I realized I was being followed.

★ BUY ★

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2015

"Surprising and subversive in the best ways….Mac Barnett’s story ends on a[n] ambivalent note, but a psychologically astute one—and who better to appreciate the mutability of obsession than kids? The great Patrick McDonnell’s drawings are, as always, perfect down to the last scratchy line.”
—The New York Times

★ "Barnett's pokerfaced narration gives off a deliciously Hitchockian air of high style and deep-seated dread…and the collaborators' refusal to wrap up with a cuddly reconciliation results in a story that speaks to the urbane existentialist/absurdist lurking in the heart of every reader." 
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 

★ "The pokerfaced approach to absurdity recalls practitioners of the style from Thurber to Yorinks, and the short sentences, restrained vocabulary, and occasional repetition add to the hilarity as well as easing the way for readers…. [A] daffy yet stylish readaloud with surprising performance possibilities. Kids looking for something a little drier and more sophisticated to liven up their early reading will be ready to follow along with the skunk and the man.”
—The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

★ "Clever visual motifs, sly storytelling, and tight pacing make this a picture book that will be enjoyed by both children and their grown-ups."
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ "McDonnell’s graceful and simple cartoonlike illustrations mitigate the notes of paranoia and obsession in Barnett’s deadpan text."
—The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

"Barnett and McDonnell (Extra Yarn, 2012, and Me . . . Jane, 2011, respectively) combine their considerable talents in this dark comedy. With more silliness than suspense, the story features antics that even sensitive children will love, and older readers will appreciate the role reversal at the book's end."
—Booklist

"Training wheels for Samuel Beckett."
—Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★
 

With Jory John, illustrations by Kevin Cornell

Miles Murphy is known for one thing and one thing only: pranking.

He's the best prankster his school has ever seen. So when he's forced to move to boring Yawnee Valley (also known for one thing and one thing only: cows), he assumes he'll be the best prankster at his new school too. There's one problem. The school already has a prankster—and he's good. Really good.

★ BUY ★

A New York Times Best Seller
A Junior Library Guild Selection

Visit The Terrible Two website HERE.

"This book is terrible! Terribly funny, terribly full of pranks, and terribly wonderful."
—Jon Scieszka

"The Terrible Two are my kind of kids. And what's more, they're kids' kind of kids."
—Annie Barrows

"The pranks, the brotherhood, the art, the heart! What's not to love about The Terrible Two?"
—Sara Pennypacker

"You don't have to be a cow, like cows, or even know a cow to love The Terrible Two."
—Dave Eggers

"Hilarious."
—Dav Pilkey

“Barnett and John are in perfect comic harmony, filling their story with exaggerated archetypes (the overbearing principal, the do-gooder), pranks gone awry, and wisecracking banter.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Coauthors and friends Barnett and John have created a fast paced, laugh-out-loud novel sure to appeal to those who appreciate a good prank and have a sense of justice.”     
—School Library Journal

“Barnett and John launch their cow-resplendent illustrated series with the humorous origin story of the pranking duo who lend the series its name…Cornell’s goofy cartoon illustrations (especially the blasé cows) add giggles aplenty.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Full of well-timed comedy…this lively start to a new series provides great insight into social dynamics—as well as prank planning and execution!”
—The Horn Book Magazine

"With plenty of humor, quirky characters…and fantastical, over-the-top pranking, this entertaining, enjoyable read will especially appeal to Wimpy Kid aficionados."
—VOYA

"Funny books that transcend silliness and are written with skill are rare. But The Terrible Two...is rich in deadpan jokes and sprightly turns of phrase. Miles hopes to maintain his reputation as a prankster in his new school but arrives to find himself already out-pranked. A war of practical jokes ensues, until he and his adversary collaborate. Smartly observant of school life, and illustrated by Kevin Cornell in a retro comic-book style, it is ideal for reading aloud."
—The Sunday Times

"Here is a tale that is almost a guidebook on the art and etiquette of pranking"
—The Herald

“A tale that’s loaded with cunning high jinks, neat pieces of outwitting, some great gags and more than you ever wanted to know about cows.”
—Financial Times

“An early contender for the funniest middle grade novel of the year.”
—Booktrust

"This book is really funny and exciting. In my top 10 of all my favourite books ever this would come about fifth, it is so good! I would recommend it to any people who like reading about pranks, mischief and naughty boys at school."
—The Guardian Children’s Books Site

“Stylish, full of skilfully imagined pranks and frequently laugh-out-loud funny, this has all the makings of the start of a series with staying power.”
—Teach Primary

“Tempt those teens still addicted to Wimpy Kid with something slightly more challenging; it’s written in the first person, which allows a more sophisticated level of humour and the two likeable protagonists are refreshingly three-dimensional.”
—Teach Secondary

“Daringly different and acutely observant, The Terrible Two series is as clever as it is comical. Not to be missed!”
—The Lancashire Evening Post

"Hence one of the funniest novels of the year is also a book aimed at 12-year-olds."
—Splitsider

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Sam and Dave are digging a hole, and they will not stop until they find something spectacular.

★ BUY ★

Winner of the Caldecott Honor
Winner of the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award
Winner of the Irma Black Award
Winner of the Wanda Gág Read Aloud Book Award
A New York Times Best Seller
A New York Times Notable Book
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2014
A PBS Best Picture Book of 2014
A Guardian Best Book of 2014
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2014
A Kirkus Best Book of 2014
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2014
A Globe & Mail 100 Best Books of 2014 Selection
A Huffington Post Best Picture Book of 2014
A BuzzFeed Best Picture Book of 2014
An Association for Library Service to Children Notables Selection
A Toronto Public Library First & Best Book of 2014
A Reading Today Best Picture Book of 2014
A Junior Library Guild Selection

★ "Barnett’s well-chosen words (“Sam and Dave ran out of chocolate milk. / But they kept digging. / They shared the last animal cookie. / But they kept digging”) and plentiful white space support readers. Klassen’s cross-section illustrations give readers a mole’s-eye view of the underground proceedings, extending the spare text with visual humor. As in his previous books, Klassen shows an uncanny knack for conveying meaning with the subtlest of eye movements. How fitting that the wordless final spread features a knowing look between the dog and a cat familiar to Klassen fans; all that’s missing from the trippy conclusion is the theme music from The Twilight Zone. Mind-blowing in the best possible way." 
—The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

★ “When Sam and Dave dig a hole, readers get "something spectacular." The boys, on the other hand, do not. Their quest to find the spectacular brings them painfully and humorously close to buried jewels as they spade their way into the ground, accompanied by an intrepid canine companion. ... Poor Sam and Dave. Lucky readers.
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "Barnett’s comic voice is at its driest as he recounts that quintessential American childhood activity—the digging of the giant hole. ...Cross-sections of earth show them further and further down, and comic tension erupts as readers see gigantic diamonds buried at intervals underground while Sam and Dave tunnel on, missing every one... They land in their own backyard again—or do they? Barnett and Klassen dangle the prospect of fantastic subterranean treasure before readers, but leave them with an even greater reward: a tantalizingly creepy and open-ended conclusion."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "Author Mac Barnett and Canadian author/illustrator Jon Klassen, the dream team who last collaborated on the Caldecott Honor-winning Extra Yarn, reunite for a striking story that is sure to delight… As with Barnett and Klassen’s previous book, the brilliance of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole is the interplay of the deceptively simple text, what the characters know, and what is pictured… Ending with an illustration full of subtext that makes kids think as well as laugh is classic Klassen, and it works. Get ready to add another favorite to your collection."
—Quill & Quire, Starred Review

“Two brothers are determined to find “something spectacular” in this clever second collaboration between Barnett and Klassen”
—New York Times

"Is any childhood truly complete without at least one shovel-wielding foray into shoulder-deep dirt?... A carefully choreographed interplay between Mac Barnett’s straight-faced text ("So they kept digging") and Caldecott-winner Jon Klassen’s stylized illustrations."
—The Washington Post

"Mr. Barnett’s economical text works in droll counterpoint with illustrations that become subtly surreal. Soon the hole is so deep that the boys and the dog begin to plummet, only to land back in the soft dirt where they started. Or do they? Tiny clues suggest otherwise in this clever and faintly disconcerting adventure."
—Wall Street Journal

"Klassen’s pebbly, earth-toned, colored-pencil and digital illustrations of Sam and Dave’s dig are exaggerated to comic effect, especially when coupled with Barnett’s dry, simple text. Subtle visual clues (the final absence of dirt on Sam’s and Dave’s clothes; a closing house that’s just slightly different from the opening one) suggest there’s more to the story than meets the eye, and canny little ones will likely be delighted by the beguiling ending."
—Booklist

"The beauty of this story is that it articulates something kids seem to intuitively know, but can’t really explain with language. The way that Klassen’s illustrations tell as much of the story as Barnett’s words is absolutely brilliant."
—Globe and Mail

"An understated, humorous, and charmingly perplexing tale. ... What works spectacularly is the clever play between words and pictures. As in Klassen’s "This Is Not My Hat," readers are in on a joke to which the characters are oblivious. Namely, that each time the boys change direction, they narrowly miss discovering increasingly enormous jewels hidden in the earth. ... Klassen’s use of muted earth tones and uncomplicated compositions is paired well with Barnett’s deadpan humor."
—School Library Journal

“The dog in Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s Sam & Dave Dig a Hole may be unnamed (indeed in a postmodern touch he’s never mentioned, though he appears on every page) but he plays a vital role by the end of this charming story about two boys who decide to dig a hole one Monday morning….I’m not going to reveal what happens, but the ending is wonderful. This one is Syd’s favourite and goes into our picture book hall of fame.”
—Australian

"Marvelous. ... Jon Klassen's art, created digitally in colored pencil, adds witty and clever layers to a humorous story about friendship, strategic thinking and determination."
—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"With Barnett's clever prose and Jon Klassen's sly illustrations, this book is one of the best of the year."
—East Bay Express

"Charming... with droll illustrations."
—The Buffalo News

"A visually appealing underground adventure... Kids will love to read, reread and just look at this book."
—PBS Parents

The deliberately poker-faced, almost banal flatness of the text isn’t the joke here but the straight man to the ironic humor of the art (the boys’ elaborate subterranean efforts carefully lead them just past several increasingly huge diamonds). ... Engaging as well as stylish. Kids will enjoy playing "spot the differences" once they figure out the joke... Young excavators will appreciate this surreal modernization of the old notion of digging all the way to China.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A wryly subtle, unexpectedly funny picture book about two brothers in search of something extraordinary. ... As they dig deeper and deeper (and get dirtier and dirtier), readers will delight in spotting the spectacular items that lie just outside their shovels’ reach. Barnett’s deadpan text and Klassen’s equally restrained illustrations (the dog’s facial expressions alone are priceless) combine to create a picture book rich in dramatic irony and understated hilarity. The limited color palette (heavy on the earth tones, of course), imaginative text and surprising ending combine to create a collaboration that is itself nothing short of spectacular."
—BookPage

"Part wry comedy of errors, part Twilight Zone, this book feels timeless in that it could have been from 50 years ago, or from 50 years in the future (and possibly from another dimension)."
—Huffington Post

"A masterwork in humor, subtlety, and surprise, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole will leave readers digging for the truth."
—100 Scope Notes

“A funny, deadpan adventure... This is an exercise in suspending disbelief, which children will gladly undertake. ... A topsy-turvy treasure-seeking adventure.”
—Shelf Awareness

"Entertaining, funny and interesting... This picture-driven book engages the imagination with deadpan humor and dry wit."
—Minnesota Parent

"This book is deadpan and dead-awesome."
—BuzzFeed

“Sam and Dave Dig a Hole is a hilarious, mind-bending book about two boys (and a dog) looking for something exciting—but they keep missing. Klassen’s style is a perfect fit for Barnett’s understated text. My kids love this, over and over and over.”
—GeekDad

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Jen Corace

It's time for dinner! But will Peter get the message before his supper gets cold?

★ BUY ★

A BuzzFeed Best Picture Book of 2014
A Reading Today Best Picture Book of 2014
An Association for Library Service to Children Notables Selection
A Junior Library Guild Selection

★ "The opening, wordless spread shows a neighborhood with cozy homes, children at play, and happy pets, while above it all a telephone wire hosts an unusual assortment of birds, shown as blobby silhouettes. The page-turn zooms in to show a scene on the wire: an aproned pigeon is directing a young cardinal holding a baseball bat to “tell Peter: Fly home for dinner.” A wacky game of telephone—on the telephone wire—ensues, as a goose in an aviator helmet, a comic book–reading duck, an open-mouthed pelican, and others pass along changed versions of the message (“Lobsters are good hiders…My monster truck has big tires…Something smells like fire!”). By the time the message gets to Owl, it has become (humorously) long and exaggerated: “There’s a giant monster lobster named Homer! He smells like socks and he breathes red fire! His eyes blaze like stars and he rides a crocodile that flies and he’s coming to this wire! Tell Peter to fly! Fly far far away! He’s too young to be somebody’s dinner!” Fortunately, Owl manages to interpret the message correctly and points Peter in the right direction—home for dinner—as the sun sets on the back endpapers. Bright and elegant art done in watercolor, ink, gouache, and pencil depicts amusing details that play up the silliness of each new message iteration, but with plenty of white space to keep it all perfectly clear for readers and listeners."
—The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

★ “Delightful. . . The idea that one’s own passions
affect the way one engages with the world is . . . 
presented with verve and humor.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Raucous avian take on the old-school children’s game, in which the action takes place, naturally, on a telephone wire.”
—New York Times

“An inspired take on the game of Telephone… that young readers will love!”
—School Library Journal

More from the School Library Journal:

"Barnett offers an inspired take on the game of Telephone, where a simple sentence is twisted and confused as it passes from person to person. In this case, a mismatched flock of birds perched on a wire (a telephone wire, in fact) are responsible for passing a message from a mother pigeon to her son. Each bird has a unique interest that influences its version of the original message, “Tell Peter: Fly home for dinner,” and guessing each one’s hobby becomes part of the fun of reading the book. The details in the boldly colored illustrations perfectly illuminate the avian personalities, from sweat beads on the nervous turkey, who cries, “Tell Peter: I’m too high up on this wire!” to the pocket square worn by the calm, wise owl, who manages to pass on the instructions accurately. Simple, silly text is kid-friendly and great for read-alouds, while spreads showing the whole line of birds and the houses below will hold any child’s attention. Barnett has created another unique, clever book that young readers will love!"
—School Library Journal

“Over the top and silly… a great pick for a group read-aloud.”
—Booklist

More from Booklist:

"Peter Pigeon’s mom wants him to come home for dinner, so she tells a little bird, “Tell Peter: Fly home for dinner.” That little bird, who’s wielding a baseball bat, tells a bigger bird, “Tell Peter: Hit pop flies and homers.” And so the message grows more convoluted through a long line of birds until it snowballs into something over the top and silly. At last, though, a wise old owl calmly delivers the original message to Peter, who had been playing ball with his other bird friends. Barnett’s simply told, slapstick story of miscommunication is well matched by Corace’s big, bold watercolor illustrations of wacky anthropomorphized birds. Each two-page spread subtly reveals hints for how each bird distorts the message, and the opening and closing pictures of the birds on a telephone wire quietly add to the joke. With short lines and page-filling, laugh-out-loud images, this would be a great pick for a group read-aloud." 
—Booklist

"Telephone is an excellent example of a perfect marriage between text and artwork....This picture book will be read over and over, as youngsters pore over every spread to guess what comes next."
—Shelf Awareness

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

George Washington crossed the Delaware in the dead of night. Abraham Lincoln saved the Union. And President William Howard Taft got stuck in a bathtub, and then got unstuck. This is his story.

★ BUY ★

The Northern California Independent Booksellers Association Picture Book of the Year

“Although there's considerably more naked flesh on display than in the average picture book, there's no denying the riveting spectacle of Taft's struggle.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Just right for reading aloud.”
—School Library Journal

“Barnett spins a probably apocryphal but nonetheless hilarious incident into a Cabinet-level crisis.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“[A] delightful, smart, and silly story about the most famous bathtub misadventure in U.S. presidential history….Fleshy, funny, and fact-checked, this perfect Inauguration Day read-aloud will plump up any presidential collection.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

The combination of Barnett’s repetitive assonance and Van Dusen’s gouache caricature illustrations (with strategically placed water and bubbles) sets the hilarious tone. A concluding author’s note reveals an archival photo of four men sitting in Taft’s custom-built bathtub for the White House and presents the actual facts pertaining to the president and his numerous commissioned bathtubs. Studying the presidency need never be dull again.
—Booklist

The funniest kids' history book we've seen in a while. ... Lots of silly fun.
—New York Post

The illustrations perfectly match the tone and tenor of Barnett’s words. Taft is depicted in all his large, naked glory, but the illustrations give the President an air of authority and dignity. The book itself is physically large, though Taft is largest of all, filling up his spacious bathroom with his voluminous body and endless cacophony. Kids will enjoy the humor and energy in this story and be intrigued by the notion that presidents are people, too.
—Library Media Connection

Each page is a deliciously smooth (like chocolate!) series of illustrations of the drama -- images where the rolls of flesh almost become animated themselves. How did Van Dusen do it? ... He makes the most of Mac Barnett's hilarious, imaginative and yet still respectful tale. ... This book rewards readers of all ages.
—The Sunday Plain Dealer

Van Dusen's exaggerated gouache illustrations contribute to the author's merry absurdities.
—San Jose Mercury News

The text is humorous and early 20th century-sounding, with oversized illustrations and suit the subject perfectly.
—Palo Alto Weekly

★ BUY ★

With Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Matthew Myers

Alex has been given a saccharine, sappy, silly-sweet picture book about Birthday Bunny that his grandma found at a garage sale. Alex isn’t interested—until he decides to make the book something he’d actually like to read. So he takes out his pencil, sharpens his creativity, and totally transforms the story!

Birthday Bunny becomes Battle Bunny, and the rabbit’s innocent journey through the forest morphs into a supersecret mission to unleash an evil plan—a plan that only Alex can stop.

★ BUY ★

A New York Times Bestseller

★ "An honest reflection of the ways kids interact with books—in a way that’s accessible to kids themselves—as well as a complexly layered work of comic genius....This is an example of exactly how kids are told not to interact with their books—and that’s what makes it so effective. Alex’s gleeful disregard for the inanity of Birthday Bunny belies a deep engagement with the words in the book, an active participation with the structures of literacy that acts as a rebellious model for kids just starting to read on their own. And who can’t help but giggle at a cry of “Time to get it on, carrot breath!”? This is, then, sure to be an early reader that’s also endlessly entertaining and that will stand up to multiple readings as viewers find more of Alex’s hidden gems."
—The Bulletin for the Center of the Children's Book, Starred Review

★ “A hilarious and transgressive story with a clear message: Don’t suffer schlock.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “An enthusiastically taboo, devil-may-care outing … and a great writing inspiration to use on old books headed for the bin.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “This is a perfect book to give independent readers who are looking for something a little different. The unique layout and design will inspire creativity in readers.”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ "This is a perfect book to give independent readers who are looking for something a little different."
—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

★ ”Just about everything explodes.”
— Booklist, Starred Review

"It is original and funny and is likely to appeal to children who think that woodland creatures are drippy and like superhero action. It might even encourage them to be creative—all over other books.”
—The Sunday Times

“[O]riginal, hugely enjoyable…[a] celebration of of the power of story and children’s creativity.”
—Books for Keeps

“A funny, subversive act of vandalism that will instantly appeal to all mischievous imaginations, young and old.”
—Absolutely Chelsea

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Kevin Cornell

Are you ready to count the monkeys?

★ BUY ★  

★ “Barnett’s adventure is a complete hoot in its absurdity…begs to be read aloud.”
—The Bulletin for the Center of the Children’s Book, Starred Review

★ “Cornell (who previously teamed up with Barnett for Mustache!) is an artist in the modern-day Disney animation tradition, effortlessly juggling funny chaos, irreverent characterizations, and visual winks and nudges. Barnett’s narrator may be increasingly frustrated (“We’re never going to count the monkeys!”) but he also has expert comic timing…. This spot-on spoof of counting books is the perfect reward for anyone who’s put in a hard day’s work with numbers, big or small.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Sure to be a hit."
—School Library Journal

“Kinetic, raucous read-aloud…. More fun than a barrel of… well, you know.”
—Kirkus Reviews

★ BUY ★  

With illustrations by Matthew Myers

A stolen surfboard, vanishing cargo ships, missing gym shorts: Steve Brixton is drowning in mysteries.

★ BUY ★

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"Like the three earlier volumes of the Brixton Brothers series, this chapter book takes the adventure and plotting of an old-school (think Hardy Boys) series mystery and overlays it with deadpan, offbeat humor… . Wildly improbable and reliably entertaining.”
—Booklist

"Barnett has written a fun, adventure-filled book. This is a great choice for slow or reluctant readers."
—School Library Journal

"I’ll read the Brixton Brothers books even when my kids aren’t around, but they get a kick out of them, too. Barnett once again pulls off the balancing act between the absurdity of a kid who can solve crimes that adults can’t figure out and the reality that Steve’s a dorky kid who got all his sleuthing tips from a series of boy-detective novels.”
—Wired GeekDad

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Dan Santat

It’s a terrible thing when you mess up on your history test. It’s even worse when you mess up all of human history.

★ BUY ★ 

★ “Wonderfully ridiculous in premise and execution.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “Barnett’s deadpan prose and Santat’s page-popping art hilariously reveal what happens when you mess with history.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Whether they are shoving paintbrushes up their noses, spray-painting their faces, or stabbing each other with pencils, readers will find these Cave Stooges irresistible."
—The Horn Book Magazine

★ BUY ★ 

Illustrated by Adam Rex

Meet Chloe: Every week, she collects loose change so she can buy tickets to ride the merry-go-round. But one fateful day, she gets lost in the woods on her way home, and a large dragon leaps out from-"Wait! It's supposed to be a lion," says Mac Barnett, the author of this book. But Adam Rex, the illustrator, thinks a dragon would be so much cooler (don't you agree?).

Mac's power of the pen is at odds with Adam's brush, and Chloe's story hangs in the balance. Can she help them out of this quandary to be the heroine of her own story?

★ BUY ★

A Junior Library Guild Selection
An IndieBound Kids Next List Pick

★ “An elaborate prank on the picture-book genre [that] comes together in playful harmony.”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

“[Combines] twisty plotting, irreverent dialogue, visual hilarity, and sophisticated book design into an arch package. But beneath the silly surface, children will find a meaningful exposition of just what goes into a successful picture book, and how author, illustrator, and character must collaborate and compromise.” 
—Booklist

★ BUY ★ 

Illustrated by Jon Klassen

It looks like an ordinary box of ordinary yarn.
But it turns out it isn’t.

★ BUY ★

Winner of the Caldecott Honor
One of TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Children’s Books of All Time
Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
Winner of the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award
Winner the Zena Sutherland Award
A New York Times Best Seller
Kirkus Reviews Best of 2012
Booklist Best Picture Book of 2012
School Library Journal's Best of 2012
A Horn Book Fanfare Selection
An IndieBound Top 10 Kids Next List Pick
A Junior Library Guild Selection

★ “Quirky and wonderful, this story quietly celebrates a child’s ingenuity and her ability to change the world around her.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

★ “Understated illustrations and prose seamlessly construct an enchanting and mysterious tale.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “Klassen’s deadpan, stylized illustrations impeccably complement Barnett’s quirky droll writing.”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “Klassen’s pacing…is impeccable. The final spread, all light and yarn-covered tree limbs, brings Barnett’s clever, quiet yarn full circle, to a little girl and a town, now colorful and happy.”
—The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review

“Possesses the qualities of the old-fashioned magical realism that you find in the most enduring nursery books.”
—The Wall Street Journal

"[An] eloquent modern fable"
—The Guardian

“Like the very best picture books, this is a simple tale where text and pictures are brilliantly combined."
—School Librarian

"An understated and enchanting picture book that captures the imagination."
—Rogha Leahbhar

★ BUY ★
 

Illustrated by Kevin Cornell

For every terrible king there are 1,000 great mustaches.
Vive le Moustache!

★ BUY ★

A Junior Library Guild Selection

“Barnett’s gift for humor is as sharp as ever, and Cornell holds his own in scenes filled with visual gags…Barnett’s light touch with the ending is just right, avoiding dreary moralizing.”
—Publishers Weekly

 ★ BUY ★

With illustrations by Adam Rex

Steve Brixton, current seventh-grader and retired private detective, gets pulled back into sleuthing on a trip down the California coast.

★ BUY ★

2012 Edgar Nominee
A Junior Library Guild Selection

“Sly and often silly.”
—Kirkus Reviews

"This latest volume from Mac Barnett (with illustrations by Adam Rex, as usual) hits all the right notes, with some double-crossing, red herrings, and a train-top chase."
—Wired GeekDad

"An amusing addition to the Brixton Brothers series."
—Booklist

★ BUY ★ 

With illustrations by Adam Rex

Steve Brixton set out to rescue his hero, the writer MacArthur Bart, from a ruthless crime syndicate.

★ BUY ★

A Junior Library Guild Selection

“Barnett’s second Brixton Brothers mystery continues the whimsically sardonic adventures of everyone’s soon-to-be-favorite clueless-yet-earnest boy detective-wannabe. Shot through with moments of goofiness and dotted with Rex’s black-and-white illustrations, this is sure to please existing fans and win new ones.” 
—Kirkus Reviews

“It’s a hilarious book that will keep your kids (and you) guessing at the eventual outcome, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Barnett has a great way with words and it’s just a joy to read, even as an adult.”
—Wired GeekDad

“These books are hilarious, action-packed adventures that Middle Grade readers will love! I, for one, could not put them down and even LOL’d on the subway train while reading them.”
—Scholastic Book Talk

"Barnett has written a fun, adventure-filled book. This is a great choice for slow or reluctant readers." 
—School Library Journal

“The Ghostwriter Secret is just as good as The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity. Like the first book, The Ghostwriter Secret is funny. It has action. It has danger. It has a mystery with twists and surprises. It has awesome illustrations by Adam Rex. There’s a jewel robbery, fishing net-throwing and gun-toting thugs, arson, and a car chase. Plus, the good guy gets to punch the bad guy in the solar plexus”
—Bigfoot Reads

And on Pink Me, Mao, nine-year-old son of a librarian, says (in his first ever book talk): “It’s a very humorous detective novel in which they go to places that you you wouldn’t expect to find gangs.”

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Dan Santat

It’s a terrible thing when a giant robot rampages in your city. It’s even worse when it’s your fault.

★ BUY ★

★ “Comic-book, picture-book and movie styles come together in a well-designed package….A must-have.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “Santat and Barnett collaborate seamlessly on this slapstick adventure about a pigtailed, bespectacled science fair entrant trying unsuccessfully to control her prize-winning robot… Barnett’s telegraphic text packs wicked humor into economical, comic book-style lines, while Santat’s skylines pay homage to old monster movies… Blueprints for the robot and the genetically altered toad she deploys to defeat it are included on the endpapers, but, kids, don’t try this at home!”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ BUY ★

With Scott Teplin and Eli Horowitz
and also Adam Rex and Anna Sheffield

Detectives, liars, and real buried treasure.

★ BUY ★

★ “Ready to get your mind blown? Then dig into this.”
—Booklist, Starred Review

“A marvel…. Clock is a house-shaped board book chock full of mystery, humor and stunning artwork. Oh, and there are also clues that point to 12 emerald-encrusted numbers buried across the country, just in case the visuals don’t hook you (which is unlikely).”
—San Francisco Chronicle

“Enter the world’s weirdest book. I’m sure there are other words for it, but the term ‘weird’ sticks out prominently in my mind. So too do the words ‘wacky,’ ‘hypnotic,’ ‘awe-inspiring,’ and ‘potentially hazardous to your health.’ I do not kid. I kid a tiny bit. But the fact of the matter is that if you or a child or you AND a child ever wanted to be a part of a real world treasure hunt, the time is now. For my part, all that I care is that there’s a new book out there with teeny tiny pictures for me to stare glazed-eye at for long periods of time. To stare and stare and stare…. what I really came to like and respect about The Clock Without a Face is that it has no difficulty defining its own audience. The writing and the pictures are hugely kid-friendly. Maybe a child wouldn’t have the wherewithal to solve the puzzles, but there’s always a chance. And where there’s a chance there will be kid fans. I know I’ll be handing my copy to the kids in the bookclub I run with the hope that they find a way to solve it themselves. Because even if they don’t solve it, they’re going to have a heckuva great time obsessing over its wackiness. Fun fun fun.”
—Fuse #8, School Library Journal

With illustrations by Adam Rex

The only way Steve Brixton can prove he’s not a detective is by solving America’s biggest mystery.

★ BUY ★

2010 Edgar Award Nominee
A Junior Library Guild Selection
One of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

“Cooly hysterical…Pray for sequels.” 
—Kirkus Reviews

"One of the funniest and most promising series openers in years."
—School Library Journal

“This is the craziest, funniest book you will read all year. What are you waiting for?”
—Jon Scieszka, National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature

“Action! Adventure! Humor! Mac Barnett has written a book kids will devour.”
—Jeff Kinney

“Man oh man, this is one great book. It’s full of excitement and danger, of narrow escapes and unexpected twists, while also being one of the funniest books of its kind ever written. If you’re not currently tied up in the hold of a renegade ship – or even if you are (and have your hands free) – read it.”
—Dave Eggers

★ BUY ★
 

Illustrated by Adam Rex

Here is a book that will keep you guessing again and again and…

★ BUY ★

No. 2 on TIME magazine’s Top Ten Children’s Books of 2009
A Junior Library Guild selection
An IndieBound Kids Next List Pick

“A funny, absurdist take on guessing books….Twisted good fun.”
—Publishers Weekly

“An especially fun book to share.”
—School Library Journal

★ BUY ★

Illustrated by Adam Rex

The story of a boy and the pet whale that ruins his life.

★ BUY ★

WHALE MAIL UPDATE: If your request for a free blue whale trial has come back return to sender, please know that Hyperion has moved. Send whale mail HERE.

An IndieBound Top-Ten Kids Next List Pick

★ “Definitely funny and slyly subversive.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“A headlong plunge into surrealism ensues when Billy Twitters’s parents punish him by giving him a blue whale. The cleverness is in the idea’s literal-mindedness — Billy thinking “I feel like something’s watching me” as he eats his cereal, one very large eye visible behind him, and then hauling the whale to school on his bicycle. It’s not supposed to make sense, and, amusingly, it doesn’t.”
—The New York Times

 ★ BUY ★