Illinois Authors

HarperCollins 2024

From the New York Times bestselling duo of Stick and Stone, Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, with illustrations by Tom Booth: A sweet and uplifting story about trying, failing, and never-ending kindness. With the utmost care, brothers and professional movers Tiny and Pete will move anything anywhere because they know that nothing is too small or too light to wrap up tight and treat just right. But during their biggest move yet, a young panda’s pet turtle goes missing and even the brothers' efforts might not be enough to save the day. Full of fun word play and humor, this hopeful and empowering story is sure to move readers to feel big feelings and, most importantly, laugh. Perfect for fans of Ryan T. Higgins and Jory John.

Henry Holt, New York : 2010.

When Bridget loses the beret that provides her with artistic inspiration like other great artists, she thinks she will never be able to draw again. Includes facts about famous artists and reproductions of some of their paintings.

Cloudette, the littlest cloud, finds a way to do something big and important as the other clouds do.

Chronicle Books 2009

This New York Times bestselling children's book is a smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side. From the award-winning team of author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld comes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal's signature humor here; there's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. ENGAGING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING: Children will love the fun story based on the classic duck/rabbit visual puzzle, while parents will appreciate the book's lessons about differing points of view and right versus wrong. INCREDIBLE TALENT: Amy Krouse Rosenthal's award-winning children's books "radiate fun the way tulips radiate spring: they are elegant and spirit-lifting," according to the New York Times. Her 30+ books for kids include I Wish You More and Yes Day!, both illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, and Dear Girl, Little Pea, Little Hoot, Little Oink, and Spoon. Tom Lichtenheld is a prolific creator and has illustrated many bestselling favorites, including Steam Train, Dream Train and several titles in the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series. RAVE REVIEWS: This bestselling book has earned multiple starred reviews. Highlights include: "The snappy dialogue makes for fine read-aloud. Duck? Rabbit? As kids will readily see, it depends on how you look at it."—Publishers Weekly, starred review "How cute is this? Really, really cute."—Booklist, starred review

It's an e-mergency! The letter E took a tumble and the only way to get her back on her foot is for people to stop using her. But who can take her place? The other letters have to make a decision ASAP. Z is too sleepy and Y asks way too many questions. Thankfully, O rolls in to try and save the day. Chock-full of verbal and visual puns, this zany book is sure to tickle both the brain and the funny bone.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2005.

The author offers a caveat at the beginning of the book: "I don't know much about real cars, but I'm an expert on made-up cars, so this book is a big traffic jam of mostly made-up cars." He recounts a history of cars that involves prehistoric cavemen, ancient Egyptians, Vikings, and two horses named Winnie and Nay.

Simon & Schuster, London : 2004.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©2000.

A collection of made-up facts, educated guesses, and silly pictures about pirates.

When their work is done for the day, a crane truck, a cement mixer, and other pieces of construction equipment make their way to their resting places and go to sleep.

Bulldozer and the rest of the construction vehicle crew are back at work in this sequel to Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. Features graduated die-cut board pages shaped like five construction vehicles.

Groovy Joe is a guitar playing dog who loves to sing and dance, and when many other dogs come and join him his home gets a little crowded, but the party is fun, and Joe is definitely a guitar hero.

Set to the rhythm of the classic children's song, Groovy Joe invites the reader to laugh, sing, explore, and best of all, hug a friend.

Clarion Books 2020

A beloved teddy can bear it no longer and plots his escape from his owner’s suffocating affections in this laugh-out-loud picture book from New York Times best-selling creator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and Steam Train Dream Train fame, Tom Lichtenheld. Louis the bear has had enough. From day one, life has been one indignity after another. If he's not being used as a hankie, he's being hung out to dry—literally. (No one likes clothespins used on their ears!) This teddy is sneaking away just as soon as he can. Then again, no use running off in the rain . . .or during a show-and-tell routine. Maybe Louis has something to lose, after all. This fresh and funny take on a teddy bear come to life is a salty and sweet, grumpy and tender, sly tribute to the ties that bind.

Chronicle Books 2017

#1 New York Times bestseller! A construction book kids can enjoy any time of day, from the team behind Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. "People will be revving their engines to get their hands on this sequel."—Booklist Created by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld, the author-illustrator team behind the phenomenal bestsellers Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Steam Train, Dream Train, here is the perfect book for kids learning how to work and play together, make new friends, and overcome obstacles. Down in the big construction site, all of the favorite trucks are back facing their biggest job yet and will need the help of new construction friends to get it done. Mighty, Mighty Construction Site teaches kids that when working as a team, even a big job seems small! They find out that with teamwork, nothing is impossible!

Beach Lane Books 2014

Count and share with…underwear! Come along on a zany adventure with hilarious pictures from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. What’s one thing that two bears, three yaks, four goats, and six cats have in common? They hate to share. But look out—here comes a pack of twenty pigs ready to prove that sharing makes everything twice as fun! This seriously silly picture book with artwork by the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site irresistibly combines the concepts of counting and sharing.

Henry Holt and Co. 2013

"Sing! Sing a song. Sing out loud, sing out strong." So begins a song first made popular on Sesame Street, then interpreted by singers of every style, from Gloria Estefan to the Dixie Chicks to R.E.M., as well as famous personalities such as Conan O'Brien, Katie Couric, Nathan Lane, and Liam Neeson. Now, bestselling children's book illustrator Tom Lichtenheld has put a visual story to this timeless and universal song that celebrates perseverance, self-expression, and the power of music to help each of us find our voice.

Chronicle Books 2016

"The beautiful illustrations alone make this story a favorite but the accompanying gentle text makes learning colors a relaxing experience." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor All aboard for a rainbow of train cars and their lively animal crew! Vivid colors and cozy rhyming text inspired by the bestselling Steam Train, Dream Train will make learning colors a rich experience for the smallest readers.

Clarion Books 2015

New York Times bestselling duo Stick and Stone are STICKing together in this hilarious and heartwarming picture book that proves once and for all why best friends ROCK! From beloved picture book creators Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, perfect for fans of Kelly DiPucchio and Jory John. When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with Pinecone, a friendship is born. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? With simple rhyming text, subtle messages of kindness and compassion, and Tom Lichtenheld’s signature charm, this delightful story about making and helping friends will enchant readers young and old because it’s never too early—or too late—to stick up for your friends.

Clarion Books 2023

From the New York Times bestselling creators behind Stick and Stone comes an inspiring story of persistence, kindness, and curiosity—a perfect read-aloud, rain or shine. In a dreary town where it always rains, a little girl and her dog discover an unexpected way to spread the light. Told with surprise and humor, here isastory of generosity, perseverance, and the way that happiness can be contagious—all it takes is one person and a bright idea. This gorgeously illustrated story is a feel-good classic in the making for all bedtimes and story times.

Little, Brown and Co. ; Boston : ©2003.

A collection of cartoons that present various reasons for being grumpy, such as eating grown-up cereal, getting a boring birthday present, doing chores, and being touched by your brother or sister.

Little, Brown, New York : 2012.

A discussion between a boy and his parents about a bedroom, that is so dirty he would have to clean up just to call it a mess, ends with a blast.

Little, Brown, New York : 2005.

A discussion between a boy and his parents about a bedroom, that is so dirty he would "have to clean up just to call it a mess," ends with a blast.

Clarion Books 2020

★ "[An] endearing tribute to sibling interactions and affection."—Kirkus, STARRED review From the New York Times best-selling illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and Stick and Stone comes a sweetly humorous celebration of the love between siblings and the power of imagination. In this warm, funny story from beloved creator Tom Lichtenheld, a younger sister impatiently awaits her older brother's return from school. As his bus draws closer, she imagines all the fantastical adventures that await them. From climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in the playground to building a cardboard castle, every adventure, large or small, is more fun . . . when my brother gets home. Siblings of all sorts will cherish this imaginative reminder that the greatest thrill of all is simply being with the people we love.