Best Selling Books by Dev Petty

Fans of the hit picture book I Don’t Want to Be a Frog will love this silly companion featuring a frog that's still as stubborn as ever and his surprisingly patient father. "Reminiscent of Mo Willems’s 'Elephant and Piggie' series"—Publishers Weekly Frog does NOT want to grow up. Doesn’t need to be tall. Doesn’t want to be able to jump high enough to see the tree frogs. He’s just FINE being small. Besides, if you grow up, you don’t get to do fun things like jump in mud puddles with your best friend, Pig. Do you? This hilarious story­—which uses humor to teach that it’s great being exactly who you are—is sure to bring a smile to every kid who just wants to stay a kid, in addition to those who are the smallest in their class. It’s a sly and smartly funny tale that will have children and parents laughing together. And look for all the books in this hilarious series: I Don't Want to Be a Frog There's Nothing to Do! I Don't Want to Go to Sleep

A cluster of boisterous mushrooms clash with a grumpy marmot in the forest.

In this hilarious story of theatrical hijinks, plans go awry when four woodland friends stage a show--unless Bear can step up and save the day! Bear and his woodland friends are putting on a show, and there are lots of plans to be made. Their curtains need sequins! Their hats must be very, very tall! And their tickets have to be shiny! (No one will come if the tickets are dull.) Behind the scenes, shy Bear takes notes on every detail until his paws ache. But at least he won't have to go on stage. He could NEVER do that! . . . Or could he? In this uproarious tale of theatrical mishaps told with hilariously endearing art, four woodland friends bring down the house--and have plenty of fun along the way. Praise for The Bear Must Go On: "A snort-inducing lesson of both bravery and preparation." --Kirkus Reviews "The rewarding finale . . . applauds facing one's fears, being a good friend, and keeping an eye on the big picture." --Publishers Weekly "Witty and wonderful . . . A cheerful story, conveying the joy of creation, the fun of friendship, and the beauty of stepping outside one's comfort zone." --Booklist "Youngsters who find the spotlight too bright might be inspired by Bear's turn on the stage, and show stealers may also reconsider and revalue the contributions of pals who stay behind the scenes." --BCCB "This playful and endearing story offers young readers a heartfelt message about collaboration and overcoming fear, making it an excellent choice for most collections." --SLJ

Meet the claymates: two balls of clay that can become anything--even best friends! What can you do with two blobs of clay? Create something amazing! But don't leave them alone for too long. Things might get a little crazy. In this photographic friendship adventure, the claymates squish, smash, and sculpt themselves into the funniest shapes imaginable. But can they fix a giant mess before they're caught in the act?

With a story from I Don’t Want to Be a Frog author Dev Petty and hilarious graphic novel–style illustrations from Ruth Chan, the picture book How Old Is Mr. Tortoise? will have readers guessing the answer from beginning to end. It’s Mr. Tortoise’s birthday, and he can’t wait to eat cake with his friends. But there’s a hitch! Mr. Tortoise can’t remember how old he is, so his friends don’t know how many candles to put on the cake. And they won’t stop (or slice) until they figure out the mystery. Could Mr. Tortoise be as many years old as there are sections on his shell? He’s twice as big as the smaller tortoise . . . so is he twice as old? After the partygoers work through a variety of possibilities, they find their way to the answer with a simple bit of addition. “a funny and loving salute to friendship, critical thinking, longevity, and cake.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Metamorphosis brings astonishing and exciting changes to a pair of caterpillar friends, who take pride in being the same--and different. Two caterpillar friends love what they have in common--lots of legs and a talent for chewing leaves into funny shapes. And when it's time to build cocoons, they hang theirs side by side. "Happy metamorphosis," says an older, more knowledgeable butterfly. And it is a happy metamorphosis indeed--for when the two emerge from their cocoons, they can fly! But so much else has changed--as one is now a moth, who flies by night, and the other is a butterfly, who flies by day. How will things work now? Fortunately some things never change--like true friends figuring out a way to be together, and happily flying into the sunset and sunrise.

Chip the dog from Don't Eat Bees is back, with more "wisdom" to share, including some hard-won life lessons about cats. From the favorite picture book comic duo of Dev Petty and Mike Boldt. Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he's a very good boy, he's going to share his tips on how to live your best life, namely: Don't trust cats. Not even the little, fluffy ones with big eyes. Nohow, no meow. Trust the squirrel you always chase, trust grandpa (sure, he cheats at cards but he always has treats), and trust that skunk (he seems nice. What could possibly go wrong?). Do NOT trust cats, especially not Mittens. In this fabulously funny pet story, dog AND cat lovers will enjoy seeing their own fur-friends in Chip's earnest yet ridiculous guide to life. Also available: Don't Eat Bees (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog)

The hit picture book about a frog who does NOT want to be a frog is now a board book! Frog wants to be anything but a slimy, wet frog. A cat, perhaps. Or a rabbit. An owl? But when a hungry wolf arrives—a wolf who HATES eating frogs—our hero decides that being himself isn’t so bad after all. In this very silly story with a sly message, told in hilarious dialogue between a feisty young frog and his heard-it-all-before father, young children will identify with little Frog’s desire to be something different, while laughing along at his stubborn yet endearing schemes to prove himself right. And look for the hilarious sequels—I Don't Want to Be Big, There's Nothing to Do! and I Don't Want to Go to Sleep. ★ "First-time author Petty’s dialogue between a frog father and his son makes its point about accepting one’s nature with a big grin. . . . The story might create similar gratitude in the minds of readers—or it might just make them giggle."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW "A lively look at self-acceptance."—Kirkus Reviews "This amusing story ends with a laugh and a much more content frog."—School Library Journal "Silliness and deadpan humor combine into a hopping good story of being happy with who you are."—Booklist "A paean to self-acceptance wrapped in snappy dialogue and illustrated with richly colored comic paintings."—Wall Street Journal "Petty and Boldt provide just enough predictability to hook youngest readers, then deliver a delightful twist or two to create surprise and satisfaction—for both the green hero and the many fans he'll make with this book."—Shelf Awareness "This lighthearted exploration of identity will delight as a readaloud."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A Bank Street College of Education 2018 Best Children's Book of the Year In another hilarious book from the I Don’t Want to be a Frog series, young Frog learns an unexpected lesson about how NOT to be bored. Perfect for fans of Mo Willems’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back! Frog is bored. He can’t find ANYTHING to do—even when his animal friends make good suggestions, like sleeping all day, licking between his toes, or hopping around and then staring off into space. Will he find a fun and exciting way to spend his day? Featuring the beloved characters from I Don’t Want to Be a Frog and I Don’t Want to Be Big, this new story is sure to bring a smile to every kid who’s ever said “There’s nothing to do!” And look for the other books starring Frog: I Don't Want to Be a Frog, I Don't Want to Be Big and I Don't Want to Go to Sleep. ★ "Snappy, spot-on dialogue pairs ideally with the outsize drama of Boldt’s artwork; reading this book belongs on families’ to-do lists."—Publishers Weekly, starred review "In a structured, overstimulated world, downtime needs to be appreciated, and this small amphibian shows the way."—Kirkus

Chip the dog from Don't Eat Bees and Don't Trust Cats is back, but his best stuffie Mr. Cuddles is MISSING! Any child who has ever lost a toy will relate! Chip and his best friend Mr. Cuddles have been through a lot together, including that terrible time when Mr. Cuddles had to go in the washing machine. The two are inseparable, but now . . . Mr. Cuddles is GONE! Where could he be? How will Chip cope without his constant companion? And what role did Mittens the cat have in this mystery? Young readers will love following Chip's feverish search for Mr. Cuddles, which ends with a happy, fluffy, and super-silly reunion.

Elmore the Moose is back in a sweet and hilarious Christmas story about believing in yourself, even when under pressure. This adorable and funny picture book comes from the comic team that brought you I Don't Want to Be a Frog and Don't Eat Bees. Ho ho ho . . . achoo! Santa is out with a cold . . . just days before Christmas! When Mrs. Claus shuffles him away on a warm vacation, Santa must choose a replacement to look after all the Christmas planning. Could Elmore the Moose be up for the job? Elmore soon finds that his new responsibilities are overwhelming. The elves are angry and the reindeer are out of control! But just as Christmas looks like it will be a flop, Santa shows Elmore his confidence and appreciation, encouraging his unlikely young apprentice to rise to the occasion. Young readers will love Elmore's desperate, funny letters to Santa as he tries to handle the chaos. And they will come away with a happy lesson in believing in yourself as they watch Elmore learn to trust his abilities. Families will love snuggling up (and giggling!) together with this hilarious holiday tale that's full of heart.

Fans of the hit I Don't Want to Be a Frog will hop with joy for this fourth book in the series—a hilarious and clever twist on the classic childhood issue of not wanting to go to bed. Frog is excited about autumn and the coming of winter. But when Owl informs him that frogs hibernate till spring, Frog is upset at missing out on all the snowy fun. In this hysterically funny twist on the classic "I don't want to go to bed" dilemma, Frog comes up with all kinds of reasons why he's not going to sleep through winter, until he devises a clever way to convince his friends to come along for the ride. Featuring the beloved young frog character I Don't Want to Be a Frog and his cast of zany animal friends, this new story is sure to bring a smile to every kid who's ever protested at bedtime. And parents will appreciate a bold new twist on a timeless childhood topic. It's another surefire crowd pleaser and perfect read-aloud. And look for the other books starring Frog: I Don't Want to Be a Frog, I Don't Want to Be Big, and There's Nothing to Do!.

The comic duo behind I Don't Want to Be a Frog brings you Chip the dog, a hilarious pup who's got some "wisdom" to share. Are you a dog in need of advice? Fear not: Chip the dog is ON IT in this super-silly guide to living your best canine life. Chip is seven; he knows things. Like what to eat (important papers, the fancy bird the humans cooked for the fancy dinner, Grandpa’s teeth), and what not to eat (bees). He won’t get those mixed up, will he? Pet lovers will see their own goofy fur-friends in Chip's earnest yet ridiculous antics, and readers who love funny animal stories will find their next favorite book buddy with Chip the dog, who's patiently waiting to eat your homework and slobber on your clothes. And don't miss Chip the dog's other life lessons in Don't Trust Cats. ★ Nominee: Oklahoma Redbud Read Aloud Book Award, 2023 ★ Nominee: Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, 2023 ★ Nominee: South Carolina Book Award, 2024-25 ★ Nominee: Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr., 2024-25

A hilarious and heartwarming Christmas story about a moose who wants to be one of Santa's reindeer. This charming picture book comes from the comic minds of the the duo that brought you I Don't Want to Be a Frog and Don't Eat Bees. Dear Mr. Claus, I am writing to apply for the temporary Christmas reindeer position . . . When Santa places a job listing in the North Pole newspaper for a replacement reindeer, Elmore the moose eagerly applies. Sure, he can't actually, you know . . . fly, but how hard could it be?? In scene after scene of hilariously dedicated trying . . . and failing, Elmore perseveres in his dream to become a part of Santa's trusted team. Young readers will love Elmore's wry, funny letters to Santa as he continues on his quest. And they will shed a happy tear when the perfect opportunity arises for Elmore to shine simply by being himself. Families at Christmas (and many Christmases to come) will love sharing this heartfelt, hilarious tale about a can-do moose who embodies the true spirit of the holiday.

Hibernating bears get woken by bizarre and noisy mushrooms in this slyly humorous picture book from the creators of Monty and the Mushrooms that’s perfect for fans of Unicorns Are the Worst! and Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion! Nature is all about balance—and in winter, it’s time to rest. But when a strange blue moon rises in the sky, it brings out the cutest, weirdest mushrooms the forest has ever seen! Their aggressively adorable chatter wakes hibernating bears Glen and Berry. While Glen worries these peculiar plants and the “mushmoon” that summoned them are a sign nature is out of whack, Berry adopts the vivacious newcomers as pets. With the mushrooms’ motivations murky at best, will they mean the end of Glen and Berry’s friendship—and, possibly, the end of Glen and Berry?

"Two claymates sculpt new clay friends but have to work through feelings of jealousy and impatience to tell a great story together"--