Books by Adam Rex

School's First Day of School

by Adam Rex

A New York Times bestselling author (The True Meaning of Smekday) and illustrator (Last Stop on Market Street) team bring you a fresh look at the first day of school, this time from the school's perspective.

It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?

The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.

Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story

by Adam Rex

Doug Lee is undead quite by accident—attacked by a desperate vampire, he finds himself cursed with being fat and fifteen forever. When he has no luck finding some goth chick with a vampire fetish, he resorts to sucking the blood of cows under cover of the night. But it’s just not the same.
Then he meets the new Indian exchange student and falls for her—hard. Yeah, he wants to bite her, but he also wants to prove himself to her. But like the laws of life, love, and high school, the laws of vampire existence are complicated—it’s not as easy as studying Dracula. Especially when the star of Vampire Hunters is hot on your trail in an attempt to boost ratings. . . .
Searing, hilarious, and always unexpected, Fat Vampire is a satirical tour de force from one of the most original writers of fiction today.

Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story

by Adam Rex

Doug Lee is undead quite by accident—attacked by a desperate vampire, he finds himself cursed with being fat and fifteen forever. When he has no luck finding some goth chick with a vampire fetish, he resorts to sucking the blood of cows under cover of the night. But it's just not the same.
Then he meets the new Indian exchange student and falls for her—hard. Yeah, he wants to bite her, but he also wants to prove himself to her. But like the laws of life, love, and high school, the laws of vampire existence are complicated—it's not as easy as studying Dracula. Especially when the star of Vampire Hunters is hot on your trail in an attempt to boost ratings. . . .
Searing, hilarious, and always unexpected, Fat Vampire is a satirical tour de force from one of the most original writers of fiction today.

Cold Cereal (Cold Cereal Saga, 1)

by Adam Rex

From author Adam Rex comes the first book in the Cold Cereal Saga—a hilarious, clever, and action-packed adventure series with an educational hook.
Scottish Play Doe—aka Scott—is used to being a little different. Sometimes he hallucinates things no one else can see. But then one of these hallucinations tries to steal Scott's backpack, and he comes face-to-face with an honest-to-goodness leprechaun named Mick who's on the run from, of all things, the Goodco Cereal Company. With the help of his friends Erno and Emily, Scott and Mick uncover Goodco's sinister plans—and take the first steps in saving the world from the evil cereal company.
Like the Artemis Fowl Series and the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, the Cold Cereal Saga takes elements of familiar mythology—in this case, Arthurian legend and Irish folklore—and reimagines it in the modern world with a cast of relatable characters and myriad magical beings. The story is told from multiple points of view, and there are dozens of illustrations—including "commercial breaks"—and stories within the story.
Supports the Common Core State Standards

Cold Cereal (Cold Cereal Saga, 1)

by Adam Rex

From author Adam Rex comes the first book in the Cold Cereal Saga—a hilarious, clever, and action-packed adventure series with an educational hook.
Scottish Play Doe—aka Scott—is used to being a little different. Sometimes he hallucinates things no one else can see. But then one of these hallucinations tries to steal Scott's backpack, and he comes face-to-face with an honest-to-goodness leprechaun named Mick who's on the run from, of all things, the Goodco Cereal Company. With the help of his friends Erno and Emily, Scott and Mick uncover Goodco's sinister plans—and take the first steps in saving the world from the evil cereal company.
Like the Artemis Fowl Series and the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, the Cold Cereal Saga takes elements of familiar mythology—in this case, Arthurian legend and Irish folklore—and reimagines it in the modern world with a cast of relatable characters and myriad magical beings. The story is told from multiple points of view, and there are dozens of illustrations—including "commercial breaks"—and stories within the story.
Supports the Common Core State Standards

Unlucky Charms (Cold Cereal Saga, 2)

by Adam Rex

For fans of Artemis Fowl and Percy Jackson & the Olympians comes the second book in Adam Rex's acclaimed Cold Cereal Saga, about three kids who must save the world from the diabolical schemes of an evil breakfast company.
Scottish Play Doe and his friends may have escaped from the clutches of the evil Nimue, but they're not out of the woods just yet.
The Goodco Cereal Company's quest to take over the world is quickly gaining momentum: it has already started to sell cereals containing the magical chemical Intellijuice and, what's worse, has kidnapped one of the world's most important public figures, the Queen of England, and replaced her with goblin impersonators.
When Scott and the others learn that Goodco is holding the real queen captive in a magical other-England, they decide to pass through a rift in the time-space continuum and rescue her—and hopefully convince the faeries to stop the invasion that will bring about the end of the world as they know it.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich

by Adam Rex, Steven Malk

Being a monster isn't all frightening villagers and sucking blood. Monsters have their trials, too. Poor Frankenstein's cupboard is bare, Wolfman is in need of some household help, and it's best not to get started on Dracula’s hygiene issues. What could be scarier?
Nineteen hilarious poems delve into the secret lives of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Bigfoot, Godzilla, and others. In a range of styles that pay homage to everyone from Charles Schulz to John James Audubon, the monstrously talented Adam Rex uncovers horrific--and clever--truths you won't want to miss.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich

by Adam Rex, Steven Malk

Being a monster isn't all frightening villagers and sucking blood. Monsters have their trials, too. Poor Frankenstein's cupboard is bare, Wolfman is in need of some household help, and it's best not to get started on Dracula’s hygiene issues. What could be scarier?

Nineteen hilarious poems delve into the secret lives of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Bigfoot, Godzilla, and others. In a range of styles that pay homage to everyone from Charles Schulz to John James Audubon, the monstrously talented Adam Rex uncovers horrific--and clever--truths you won't want to miss.

Pssst!

by Adam Rex

A child, a visit to the zoo, animals--sounds like good, simple all-American fun. But there’s something different about this zoo. These animals want things. Unusual things. What will they do with them?

Laughs, jokes, and surprises abound in this graphic picture book about a feisty, all-too-helpful little girl and her role in aiding and abetting zoo-animal shenanigans. Adam Rex once again reveals the hilarious hidden life of creatures we thought we knew well.

Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-Comin'!

by Adam Rex, Jill Esbaum

Go back in time to a sleepy Mississippi River town

The townfolk of a small village on the banks of the upper Mississippi come vividly alive at the sound of a whistle and the holler of "Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-comin'!" The incoming vessel is filled with passengers and cargo, and at a rapid speed, things are unloaded and loaded - but before you know it, the village is once again at its previous sleepy pace.

Inspired by Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi, Jill Esbaum has crafted a skillful, spare poem, and Adam Rex has created gorgeous paintings that do homage to Norman Rockwell. Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-Comin'! is a 2006 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

The Dirty Cowboy

by Adam Rex

This ol' boy needs a bath!
After he finds a tumbleweed in his chaps and the numerous bugs buzzing around him affect his hearing, the cowboy decides it's time to head to the river. Once there, he peels off all his clothes and tells his trusty old dog to guard them against strangers. He takes a refreshing bath and emerges clean as corn – but so fresh-smelling that his dog doesn't recognize him! Negotiations over the return of the clothes prove fruitless. A wrestling match ensues in a tale that grows taller by the sentence, climaxing in a fabric-speckled dust devil.
Amy Timberlake has inserted a Western twang into this tale of filth and friendship, and Adam Rex has found many creative means of bodily concealment in his expressive, comical paintings.

Echo

by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Adam Rex

Newbery Honor Book
New York Times Bestseller
Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner
This impassioned, uplifting, and virtuosic tour de force from a treasured storyteller follows three children, in three different times and places, whose lives mysteriously intersect.

Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.
Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting challenges: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, holding a family together. And ultimately, pulled by the invisible thread of destiny, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo.
Richly imagined and masterfully crafted, Echo pushes the boundaries of genre, form, and storytelling innovation to create a wholly original novel that will resound in your heart long after the last note has been struck.

Echo

by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Adam Rex

New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Adam Rex has created a funny and timely conversation starter about how dull life might be if everyone always agreed

Everyone always agrees with Junior, including the mysterious voice from across the valley.

“Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!” he shouts.
“Junior Junior is the greatest in the world!” the echo shouts back.

Until one day, a new girl moves in next door. A disagreeable, rude girl who doesn’t think Junior is right all the time. Unable to stand living next door to someone like that, Junior runs to the valley to meet his echo. But when being around someone who agrees with him all the time is less fun than he imagines, Junior must decide if a new friend is worth admitting he was wrong.

The True Meaning of Smekday

by Adam Rex

The hilarious, genre-bending novel from bestselling author Adam rex that inspired the blockbuster feature film Home -- fully illustrated with "photos," drawings, newspaper clippings, and comics sequences.

When twelve-year-old Gratuity ("Tip") Tucci is assigned to write five pages on "The True Meaning of Smekday" for the National Time Capsule contest, she's not sure where to begin; when her mom started telling everyone about the messages aliens were sending through a mole on the back of her neck? Maybe on Christmas Eve, when huge bizarre spaceships descended on Earth and the aliens -- called Boov -- abducted her mother? Or when the Boov declared Earth a colony, renamed it "Smekland" (in honor of glorious Captain Smek), and forced all Americans to relocate to Florida via rocketpod?

In any case, Gratuity's story is much, much bigger than the assignment. It involves her unlikely friendship with a renegade Boov mechanic named J.Lo; a futile journey south to find Gratuity's mother at the Happy Mouse Kingdom; a cross-country road trip in a hovercar called Slushious; and an outrageous plan to save the Earth from yet another alien invasion.

The True Meaning of Smekday

by Adam Rex

The hilarious, genre-bending novel from bestselling author Adam rex that inspired the blockbuster feature film Home -- fully illustrated with "photos," drawings, newspaper clippings, and comics sequences.

When twelve-year-old Gratuity ("Tip") Tucci is assigned to write five pages on "The True Meaning of Smekday" for the National Time Capsule contest, she's not sure where to begin; when her mom started telling everyone about the messages aliens were sending through a mole on the back of her neck? Maybe on Christmas Eve, when huge bizarre spaceships descended on Earth and the aliens -- called Boov -- abducted her mother? Or when the Boov declared Earth a colony, renamed it "Smekland" (in honor of glorious Captain Smek), and forced all Americans to relocate to Florida via rocketpod?

In any case, Gratuity's story is much, much bigger than the assignment. It involves her unlikely friendship with a renegade Boov mechanic named J.Lo; a futile journey south to find Gratuity's mother at the Happy Mouse Kingdom; a cross-country road trip in a hovercar called Slushious; and an outrageous plan to save the Earth from yet another alien invasion.

Nothing Rhymes with Orange: (Cute Children's Books, Preschool Rhyming Books, Children's Humor Books, Books about Friendship)

by Adam Rex

"It begs to be sung aloud. And will make you a better person. Completely beyond good and evil!" — Jon Scieszka, first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.

A perfect laugh-out-loud, read-aloud tale from New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex: We all know nothing rhymes with orange, but how does that make Orange feel? Well, left out, obviously! When a fruit parade gets together to sing a song about how wonderful they are—and the song happens to rhyme—Orange can't help but feel like it's impossible to ever fit in. But when one particularly intuitive Apple notices how Orange is feeling, the entire English language begins to become a bit more inclusive.

• A charming book that teaches lessons about friendship and inspires conversations about inclusiveness and cherishing our differences
• The bright and big illustrations paired with funny rhymes are sure to bring a smile to readers of all ages
• Adam Rex is the author and illustrator of many beloved picture books and novels, including the New York Times bestseller Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, and has worked with the likes of Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett, and Jeff Kinney

A Huffington Post Best Book of the Year: Vibrant illustrations, enjoyable rhyming text, and a sweet, happy ending make Nothing Rhymes with Orange a book you'll keep coming back to time and time again.

• Great read-aloud book for families and classrooms
• Books for kids ages 5-6
• Books for kindergarten and up

On Account of the Gum

by Adam Rex

How do you get gum out of your hair? From the madcap mind of award-winning children's author Adam Rex comes a book about how the best intentions lead to the worst (and funniest) ideas!

So, you got bubblegum in your hair—and before you know it, a pair of scissors, some butter, your rabbit, and the cat are also stuck up there. And to make matters worse, it's picture day!

With each turn of the page in On Account of the Gum, the situation gets stickier, sillier, and more desperate. Kids will love this all-too-familiar story, told in verse and propelled by charming illustrations, about one family's best efforts to get the gum un-stuck . . . by any means necessary.

"Adam Rex is one of the best writers making picture books today, and . . . On Account of the Gum just might be his best picture book yet."
—Mac Barnett, New York Times bestselling author of the Caldecott Honor books Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn

CLASSIC STORY: Readers of all ages will instantly relate to this problem that kids have faced since the invention of bubble gum.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR: Adam Rex books are filled with whimsical rhymes and hilarious illustrations that make him one of the most beloved and children's book authors working today.

READ ALOUD FUN: Told in clever rhyming verse, this funny book is perfect for story time on the couch or in the classroom.

Perfect for: Parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, and educators looking for a delightful read-aloud tale Anyone looking for funny kids books for girl or boy Readers who enjoy the zany humor of Dragons Love Tacos, The Wonky Donkey, and books by Jory John and Mo Willems Fans of Adam Rex's award-winning picture books, including the New York Times bestsellers Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School (with illustrator Christian Robinson), and Chu's Day (with author Neil Gaiman) Anyone who has ever had gum stuck in their hair!

Digestion! The Musical

by Adam Rex

The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body meets Hamilton in this hilarious picture book about the most basic process of the human body: digesting food!
Candy's made it. She's finally here: the human body! This intrepid sweet treat meets each of the human body's organs as she approaches her "big break": being successfully digested! Here is the scientific process of digestion as you've never seen it before—told through a musical, with Candy in the role of the small-town kid who wants to make it big, the baby carrots as the Greek chorus narrating all the action, and cameos from every body part that plays an important role in transforming food from ingredients to nutrition.
From beloved duo Adam Rex and Laura Park comes a genuinely educational, laugh-out-loud Broadway musical of a book about an epic adventure through the human body, from bite to bottom.

REAL SCIENCE PRESENTED IN A FUN WAY: The text has countless facts about the human body, teaches readers how the body works, and includes all kinds of "teachable moments."

GLOSSARY: A glossary in the back explains the function of all organs we encounter in the book.

ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY: The book is an invented fable and will make kids excited to write their own fables or musicals.

OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY: The over-the-top humor is perfect for fans of Goodnight Already!, The Day the Crayons Quit, and the Mother Bruce series.

POPULAR AUTHOR: Acclaimed kids book creator Adam Rex is known for his funny and smart books. The winner of countless state list awards, Rex is the author of beloved books including, On Account of The Gum, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School, and many more.

Perfect for:
Fans of Adam Rex
Parents and grandparents
Teachers and librarians

Star Wars Are You Scared, Darth Vader?

by Adam Rex

It's midnight and the moon is full, but Darth Vader isn't scared.OF COURSE I AM NOT SCARED.Nothing can scare Lord Vader!CORRECT.Not monsters or witches or ghosts, and especially not the dark.So what is Darth Vader scared of?Read on in Adam Rex's hilarious and spooky Star Wars tale to find out!YOU WILL LEARN NOTHING.

Pluto Gets the Call

by Adam Rex

Pluto gets a call from Earth telling him he isn’t a planet anymore, so he sets out on a journey through the solar system to find out why in this funny and fact-filled romp that’s perfect for fans of The Scrambled States of America.

Pluto loves being a planet. That is, until the day he gets a call from some Earth scientists telling him he isn’t a planet anymore! You probably wanted to meet a real planet, huh? So, Pluto takes the reader on a hilarious and informative journey through the solar system to introduce the other planets and commiserate about his situation along the way. Younger readers will be so busy laughing over Pluto’s interactions with the other planets, asteroids, moons, and even the sun, they won’t even realize just how much they’re learning about our solar system!

XO, OX: A Love Story

by Adam Rex

"Using the medium of written letters, a simple ox professes his love for the glamorous gazelle who thinks she doesn't like him. Or does she? Confidence and perseverance win the day in this picture book with a humorous style early elementary school readers can appreciate." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Dear Gazelle,

For some time now I have wanted to write a letter to say how much I admire you. You are so graceful and fine. Even when you are running from tigers you are like a ballerina who is running away from tigers.

I think that what I'm trying to say is that I love you.

XO,
OX
And so begins an epic, if initially unrequited, love affair between a graceful gazelle and a clumsy, hapless ox. Romance will never be the same.
Adam Rex's hilarious, sweet, and at times heartbreaking letters between a hopelessly romantic ox and a conceited, beautiful gazelle are paired perfectly with Scott Campbell's joyful illustrations to bring you a romance for the ages.
A Neal Porter Book

The Story of Gumluck the Wizard: Book One

by Adam Rex

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023
A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book

FIVE STARRED REVIEWS!

"Adorable."—Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Readers will fall in love with [Gumluck]."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Silly and heartfelt."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"[A] spellbinding read."—Booklist, starred review
"Here's a tale to treasure."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Meet Gumluck the Wizard, the star of a new chapter book series by the inimitable Adam Rex!

This is a story about magic, if you like that kind of thing. It is also a story about a ghost with amnesia, an unpopular fairy, an ungrateful little town, and an extremely wise and helpful raven (who happens to be a pretty talented storyteller). But mostly, it is about a friendly little wizard who lives inside a big hill and really, really, really wants to be a hero. His name is Gumluck, and he is a bumbling noodlehead.

In this tall tale about a short wizard, celebrated author Adam Rex proves once and for all that the biggest heroes often come in the smallest nightgowns.

THE DELIGHTFUL ADAM REX: Adam Rex's first chapter book series is a zany caper, with heart and humor across every page.

A NEW CHAPTER BOOK CLASSIC: With simple sentences and glorious black-and-white illustrations, this series hearkens back to classic chapter books and is perfect for newly independent readers.

FANTASTICAL FUN: With a lighthearted mix of fantasy and fairytale elements, this imaginative book is perfect for young fans of wizardry and magic.

FAVORITE AUTHOR: Acclaimed children's book creator Adam Rex is known for his funny and smart stories. The winner of countless state list awards, Rex is the author of beloved books including On Account of The Gum, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School, and many more.

Perfect for: Fans of Adam Rex Parents and grandparents seeking funny children's book series Teachers and librarians looking for engaging children's fantasy and magic books Anyone looking for fantasy chapter books Readers who enjoy Chris Colfer's A Tale of Magic, the Unicorn Academy series, and Magic Tree House books

Oh No, the Aunts Are Here

by Adam Rex

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023
A Bookpage Best Book of 2023

Every family has its special aunt: the cool aunt, the wacky aunt, the scary aunt. But this family has ALL THE AUNTS.

Shhh, listen. Do you hear that?
Oh no. Oh dear. Oh . . . my . . . godmother.

They've traveled on planes, in taxis, and across state lines. And now they're here at the doorstep, a cheesy gift in one hand, the other poised for a pinch on the cheek.

IT'S THE AUNTS! THE AUNTS ARE HERE.

One girl’s all-too-recognizable experience—a visit from a troupe of overwhelming and overly enthusiastic relations—escalates to new heights of chaos, absurdity, and delight in a laugh-out-loud take on family reunions. Written with signature humor by Adam Rex and illustrated by Lian Cho, this picture book is a celebration of the universal and endearing strangeness of family.

MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY SHENANIGANS: The antics of our silliest family members are never not funny. This uniquely hilarious and authentic observation of aunts and uncles sets this book apart from other sweet family-based stories, which tend to take a more sentimental approach.

LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FAMILY FUN: This book provides a truly different kind of lightheartedness and is perfect for those who love Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA and Goodnight Already. Any family can enjoy and bond over the common experience this book speaks to so humorously.

GREAT READ-ALOUD: This book's irrepressible rhythm and its witty observations make it perfect for family read-alouds or library reading circles.

BELOVED AUTHOR: Adam Rex books are beloved by librarians, booksellers, and readers of all ages. He is the creator of many modern classics, including School's First Day of School, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, and The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors.

FUN FOR KIDS: Even for families with normal aunts or no aunts at all, the quirky situations this character faces, and the ways her aunts save the day, will delight any child reader.

Perfect for: Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles Librarians and teachers seeking funny picture books to share Anyone looking for humorous illustrated children's books or read-aloud family books Birthday, holiday, or Mother's Day gift for aunts, nieces, nephews, or for the family Fans of Adam Rex, Mo Willems, Drew Daywalt, Mac Barnett, Jory John, and Kevin Henkes

The 13th Day of Christmas

by Adam Rex

A partridge in a pear tree? Ten lords a-leaping? Now who would want such gifts? And more importantly—why would they be given?

Adam Rex investigates in this hilariously heart-warming tale based on one of the best-loved Christmas carols.

Our hero is having a lonesome Christmas away from his true love. So when she sends him a gift, of course he loves it—even if a partridge in a pear tree wasn’t exactly on his wishlist.

Twelve days later, his home is crowded with more birds, milkmaids, pipers, and other guests than he can possibly make sense of. Why would his true love think he’d like this?!

His search for answers transforms the disaster into a source of joy for the whole town—complete with a parade, a circus, and a fundraiser for the school library. By the time his true love gets home, the man finally understands what she’s given him: the true meaning of Christmas.

But she has no idea what he’s talking about— the whole thing was a wacky online shopping mixup. All she’d meant to buy was a pair of gold engagement rings. She meant to propose!

Adam Rex, creator of School’s First Day of School and many other beloved books for children, strikes again with this hilarious twist on a classic carol. Sardonic and earnest in equal measures, The Thirteenth Day of Christmas is a hit for any day of the year.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Why?: (Funny Children’s Books, Preschool Books, Early Elementary School Stories)

by Adam Rex

"[Adam] Rex delivers a storytime home run—hilarious, heartfelt, instructive, and interactive." —Booklist, starred review

A sweet and appealing tale for anyone familiar with the universal tendency of young children to always ask WHY? When supervillain Doctor X-Ray swoops in threatening to vanquish an innocent crowd, the only one brave enough not to run away is a little girl, who asks him simply, "Why?" He is taken aback—but he answers. She keeps asking. And he keeps answering—until a surprising truth is uncovered, and the villain is thwarted.

• A laugh-out-loud take on the small-and-determined-beats-big-loud-bully story, simple questions lead to profound answers in a quest that proves the ultimate power of curiosity
• Monochromatic illustrations with pops of color fill the pages and bring a uniquely captivating element to the storyline
• Adam Rex is an illustrator and author of books such as Nothing Rhymes with Orangeand Chu's Day. He lives in Tucson, Arizona
• Claire Keane is the illustrator of Love Is and is known for her development art for the movies Tangled and Frozen. She lives in Venice Beach, California

Fans of Nothing Rhymes with Orange, Love Is, and Grown-Ups Never Do That will also enjoy the relatable and heartwarming tale found in Why?

• Great family and classroom read-aloud book
• Books for kids ages 5-8
• Books for kindergarten students

Smek for President! (Smek Smeries, Book 2)

by Adam Rex

In this much-anticipated sequel to The True Meaning of Smekday, which inspired the blockbuster feature film Home, Tip and J.Lo are back for another hilarious intergalactic adventure!
After Tip and J.Lo banished the Gorg from Earth, the pair is notorious--but not for their heroics. Instead, human Dan Landry has taken credit for conquering the Gorg, and the aliens known as the Boov blame J.Lo for ruining their colonization of the planet. Determined to clear his name, J.Lo and Tip head to New Boovworld, the aliens' new home on one of Saturn's moons. But their welcome isn't quite as warm as Tip and J.Lo would have liked, since J.Lo is now dubbed Public Enemy Number One.

With the help of a friendly flying billboard named Bill, a journey through various garbage chutes, a bit of time travel, and a slew of hilarious Boovish accents, Tip and J.Lo must fight to set the record straight and return home in one piece.

"This sequel shares the strengths of its predecessor: the loving friendship between Tip and J.Lo, the respect for the absurd, and the social consciences of the teen protagonist and her ET BFF."--Kirkus Reviews

Don't miss the front story in this intergalactic adventure, The True Meaning of Smekday

The Story of Gumluck the Wizard Book One

by Adam Rex

The acclaimed chapter book is now in paperback! Meet Gumluck, everyone's favorite wizard, in this delightfully silly series by New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex. A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023

A 2023 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book



FIVE STARRED REVIEWS!

"Adorable."--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Readers will fall in love with [Gumluck]."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Silly and heartfelt."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"[A] spellbinding read."--Booklist, starred review

"Here's a tale to treasure."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review



This is a story about magic, if you like that kind of thing. It is also a story about a ghost with amnesia, an unpopular fairy, an ungrateful little town, and an extremely wise and helpful raven (who happens to be a pretty talented storyteller). But mostly, it is about a friendly little wizard who lives inside a big hill and really, really, really wants to be a hero. His name is Gumluck, and he is a bumbling noodlehead.



In this tall tale about a short wizard, celebrated author Adam Rex proves once and for all that the biggest heroes often come in the smallest nightgowns.



A NEW CHAPTER BOOK CLASSIC: With simple sentences and glorious black-and-white illustrations, this series hearkens back to classic chapter books and is perfect for newly independent readers.



FANTASTICAL FUN: This imaginative tale combines a lighthearted mix of fantasy and fairytale elements, making it perfect for young fans of wizardry and magic.



FAVORITE AUTHOR: Adam Rex is an acclaimed New York Times bestselling children's book creator and winner of countless state list awards. He is known for his funny and smart stories, including On Account of the Gum, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School, and many more. His first chapter book series is a zany caper with heart and humor across every page.



Perfect for:

• Fans of Adam Rex
• Parents and grandparents seeking funny children's book series
• Teachers and librarians looking for engaging children's fantasy and magic books
• Anyone looking for fantasy chapter books
• Readers who enjoy Tracy West's Dragon Masters series, the Unicorn Academy series, and Magic Tree House books

The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon's Eggs Book Two

by Adam Rex

Now in paperback: The story of Gumluck continues! Introducing the second installation in a laugh-out-loud and critically acclaimed chapter book tale from New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex.



Readers, be warned! This book contains three precious eggs, one confused dragon, a very silly wizard, and the tiny ghost who haunts his hair.



The follow-up to The Story of Gumluck the Wizard finds everyone's favorite noodlehead wizard at it again in another hilarious adventure of mistaken identity, courage in the face of fire (literally), and the most unlikely friendship in all of Prince Whoop-de-doo's unlikely little kingdom.



With entirely delightful illustrations and a lighthearted mix of fantasy and fairytale elements, this imaginative book is perfect for young fans of wizardry, magic, and the special alchemy of friendship.



THE DYNAMIC DUO OF GUMLUCK AND HELVETICA: This hapless wizard and his lovingly critical friend Helvetica the Raven are memorable characters young readers will love rooting for.



EVERYONE LOVES GUMLUCK THE WIZARD: Named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews, the Chicago Public Library, and many more, Book One in the series received five starred reviews, calling it "adorable," "silly and heartfelt," and "a tale to treasure."



FAVORITE AUTHOR: Acclaimed children's book creator Adam Rex is known for his funny and smart stories. The winner of countless state list awards, Rex is the author of beloved books, including On Account of the Gum, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School, and many more.



Perfect for:

• Fans of Adam Rex
• Parents and grandparents seeking funny early chapter book series
• Teachers and librarians looking for engaging fantasy and magic books for emerging readers
• Anyone looking for funny, fantasy chapter books
• Readers who enjoy Chris Colfer's A Tale of Magic, the Unicorn Academy series, and Magic Tree House books

The Story of Gumluck and the Dragon's Eggs Book Two

by Adam Rex

The story of Gumluck continues! Introducing the second installation in a laugh-out-loud and critically acclaimed chapter book tale from New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex.



Readers, be warned! This book contains three precious eggs, one confused dragon, a very silly wizard, and the tiny ghost who haunts his hair.



The follow-up to The Story of Gumluck the Wizard finds everyone's favorite noodlehead wizard at it again in another hilarious adventure of mistaken identity, courage in the face of fire (literally), and the most unlikely friendship in all of Prince Whoop-de-doo's unlikely little kingdom.



With entirely delightful illustrations and a lighthearted mix of fantasy and fairytale elements, this imaginative book is perfect for young fans of wizardry, magic, and the special alchemy of friendship.



THE DYNAMIC DUO OF GUMLUCK AND HELVETICA: This hapless wizard and his lovingly critical friend Helvetica the Raven are memorable characters young readers will love rooting for.



EVERYONE LOVES GUMLUCK THE WIZARD: Named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews, the Chicago Public Library, and many more, Book One in the series received five starred reviews, calling it "adorable," "silly and heartfelt," and "a tale to treasure."



FAVORITE AUTHOR: Acclaimed children's book creator Adam Rex is known for his funny and smart stories. The winner of countless state list awards, Rex is the author of beloved books, including On Account of the Gum, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School's First Day of School, and many more.



Perfect for:

• Fans of Adam Rex
• Parents and grandparents seeking funny early chapter book series
• Teachers and librarians looking for engaging fantasy and magic books for emerging readers
• Anyone looking for funny, fantasy chapter books
• Readers who enjoy Chris Colfer's A Tale of Magic, the Unicorn Academy series, and Magic Tree House books

The Story of Gumluck and the Heroes Book Three

by Adam Rex

The story of Gumluck continues! From New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex, this acclaimed, laugh-out-loud series is perfect for young fans of magic, wizardry, and the special alchemy of friendship.



A hero fights for what is right! A hero's aim is true! Is the hero of this story like that? I don't know. He is the kind of person who might turn you into a donut if he's thinking too hard about donuts. His name is Gumluck the Wizard, and he is on a Quest. Along the way he'll discover singing goblins, unicorn magic, a possible ostrich that breathes definite fire, and three companions who are pretty sure they're heroes already.



With delightful illustrations and a lighthearted mix of fantasy and fairytale elements, this third installment in the chapter book series starring Gumluck the Wizard is a hilarious tale for the reluctant hero in all of us.





FIVE STARRED REVIEWS FOR BOOK ONE!

• "Adorable."--Shelf Awareness, starred review
• "Readers will fall in love with [Gumluck]."--School Library Journal, starred review
• "Silly and heartfelt."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
• "[A] spellbinding read."--Booklist, starred review
• "Here's a tale to treasure."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

• Fans of Adam Rex
• Parents and grandparents seeking funny early chapter book series
• Teachers and librarians looking for engaging fantasy and magic books for emerging readers
• Anyone looking for funny, fantasy chapter books
• Readers who enjoy Chris Colfer's A Tale of Magic, the Unicorn Academy series, and Magic Tree House books