David McPhail

Author Information
David McPhail's Latest Book

Newest Release

  • Bibliography:
    111 Books
  • First Book:
    January 1974
  • Latest Book:
    June 2023
  • Author Rating:
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Book List in Order: 111 titles

  • The Cereal Box

  • The magical drawings of Moony B. Finch

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

  • Captain Toad and the Motorbike

  • A Wolf Story

  • Great Cat

    Because of her size, Great Cat, the biggest cat that ever lived, causes the neighbors to fear for their children's safety. Therefore, Great Cat and Toby move to an island where they rescue a sinking boatload of children....

  • Pig Pig Goes to Camp

  • Fix-It

    "One morning Emma gets up early to watch television. But the TV won''t work. No one can fix it-not Mom, not Dad, not even the repairman. Neither can a balloon or a song or playing horsey fix Emma''s disappointment. But then Emma''s mother reads her a...

  • Sisters

    The classic children’s book celebrating the joys and challenges of sisterhood -- with the author’s illustrations newly hand-colored. Sisters are different in so many ways, and alike in many more. But there is one heartfelt way in which they are&#...

  • Andrew's Bath



  • Lorenzo

  • Dream Child

  • Pig Pig Grows Up

  • Pig Pig Rides

  • Pig Pig and the Magic Photo Album

  • Emma's Holiday

  • Emma's Vacation

  • First Flight

  • Adam's Smile

  • David McPhail's Animals A to Z



  • Those Terrible Toy-Breakers

    Believing his house is surrounded by a jungle inhabited by lions, tigers, and elephants, Walter, with the help of his friend Bernie, sets a trap to catch the animals that are breaking the toys he leaves outside at night...

  • Bear's Toothache

  • Snow Lion

  • Something Special

    “Everyone in Sam's family could do something special. Everyone but Sam.” His siblings all have their talents, his parents and grandmother are all good at something, even his dog can do a special trick! Sam tries and tries to follow in the foot...

  • The Story of James

  • Lost!

  • The Train

    When Matthew climbs out of bed one night to fix his broken train, he is delighted to find that his favorite toy has come to life. A warm, satisfying, and quietly humorous tale--perfect for bedtime reading. Illustrated....

  • Gets a Job

  • Farm Morning

    The morning events on a farm are related by a father as he observes his young daughter trying to be helpful. “The relationship between the girl and her father is warm and affectionate. A rosy picture of a busy barnyard morning.”--Booklist
    ...

  • Annie and CO.



  • The Party

    The tale of a little boy and his animal friends who decide to have a party one night. They try to include the boy's sleeping father, and even take him with them when they head downstairs for a snack, and manage to get him upstairs before the boy's mo...

  • Farm Boy's Year

    A month-by-month diary, accompanied by full-color paintings, chronicles the daily life of a young boy growing up on a New England farm in the 1800s as he sleds in January, gathers sap in March, harvests hay in July, and picks apples in October....

  • The return of Moony B. Finch

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

  • Emma's Pet

  • Moony B. Finch

  • Goldilocks and the Three Bears

  • Little Red Riding Hood

  • The Three Little Pigs

  • Pigs Ahoy!

  • Ed and Me



  • Those Can-Do Pigs

    They fly, they play the piano, and they ride bulls at the rodeo, all the while helping others, being loyal friends, and doing everything with good spirit and polite manners, in an amusing and charming tale of adventure and friendship....

  • Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore!

    One minute, the narrator of this cleverly rhyming romp is quietly reading. The next minute, pigs descend upon his house in every imaginable getup, by every available means, from every possible place -- even “Pigs from France” and “Pigs just in ...

  • Edward and the Pirates

    Reading everything he can after learning how to read, young Edward finds his imagination soaring and particularly enjoys adventure stories, and one day he wakes up to find himself surrounded by pirates....

  • Day the Dog Said, "Cock-A-Doodle Doo!"

  • Santa's Book of Names

    Illustrated throughout with stunning watercolor nightscapes of snowy winter scenes, Santa''s Book of Names depicts all the warmth and spirit of this special time of year in a story about a young boy who learns to read with Santa''s help. David McPhai...

  • Great Race

  • Big brown bear

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy
    Green Light Readers: Level 1

    Bear is very big, very brown, and very busy. His tree house could use a little sprucing up, so Bear heads up the ladder with a plan and a bucket of paint. But Little Bear has a plan, too--including a little mischief that brings Bear (and his blue pai...

  • Day the Sheep Showed Up

  • Tinker and Tom and the Star Baby

    When Tinker, a little boy, and Tom, his bear, see a star shoot across the sky and discover that it is a baby star looking for its mother, they decide to race to the rescue with their spaceship in the hopes of getting the little star back on track....

  • A Bug, a Bear, and a Boy

    Scholastic Reader: Level 1



  • Mole Music

    Mole has always led a simple life, but he begins to think that something is missing. When he hears a violin playing for the first time, he longs to make beautiful music. At first, Mole can only make horrible screeching noises on the new violin he get...

  • A Bug, a Bear and a Boy Go to School

    Hello Reader!: Level 1

  • Sled

    David McPhail has done it again - Fox and Rabbit are the newest characters to join his irresistible menagerie. These three simple stories of fun and friendship are told with all the warmth, charm and humour we've come to expect from this acclaime...

  • Drawing Lessons from a Bear

    A young bear begins to make claw marks on the floor during his usual "how to be a bear" lessons. Soon he's collecting paper and drawing rocks, trees, clouds, birds, and even dinosaurs as he dreams of becoming an artist. With characteristic whimsey an...

  • The Puddle

    By the author/illustrator of the bestseller Edward and the Pirates

    What better thing to do on a rainy day than sail a toy boat in puddles? The boy in this story gets permission from his mother to do just that, with the condition that only the ...

  • A Girl, a Goat and a Goose

  • David McPhail Collection

  • Edward in the Jungle

    Bookish young Edward spends all of his free time reading anything he can get hold of. One day whilst reading in his favourite spot he becomes so absorbed that he fails to notice a crocodile coming right at him. What happens next will inspire the imag...

  • Teddy Bear

    A compassionate tale of friends lost and found.

    "The Teddy Bear had a good home . . . a warm, cozy place to sleep . . . many friends . . . and someone who loved him."

    The little boy and his teddy bear were always together. Every night,...

  • Piggy's Pancake Parlor

    After being taught the secret recipe to Mrs. Todd's fantastic pancakes, Piggy gets an idea to open a pancake parlor and so turns to hungry Fox and the rest of his friends for help in getting his plan put into motion....

  • The Blue Door

    A silly sequel to The Sled, The Blue Door follows the further adventures of Fox and the Rabbit as they travel to the city to visit Fox's uncle. Fox hasn't seen his uncle since he was a pup, but he can recall the wonderful stories his uncle used t...

  • Henry Bear's Park

  • Big Pig and Little Pig

    Green Light Readers: Level 1

    Despite their differences, Big Pig and Little Pig are great friends. When they get together, these piggy pals have nothing but fun-and so does the reader. 6-1/4 X 8-3/4. Full-color illustrationsAuthor Biography: Award-winner David McPhail has wri...

  • Jack and Rick

    Green Light Readers: Level 1

    Jack wants to play with Rick, and Rick wants to play with Jack--but there's a river between them. David McPhail reveals that friendship can bridge any river--and that when it comes to having fun, two is always better than one!
    ...

  • Big Brown Bear's Up and Down Day

    Bear is big and bear is brown and bear lives all alone. But then one day someone comes along who gives him a few tips about the ups and downs of having a friend.
    With warmth and a gentle wit, David McPhail brings together two unlikely chums (alon...

  • Henry Bear's Christmas

    When Henry Bear decides that the only perfect Christmas tree is the one being raffled by the local church, he spends all his money on tickets to make sure he is the winner, yet his friend Stanley is worried that if Henry Bear's ticket isn't called, t...

  • David McPhail's Favorite Tales

  • Rick Is Sick

    Green Light Readers: Level 1

    The stars of Jack and Rick are back in another playful adventure. And this time Rick learns that being sick isn't so bad when you have a helpful friend--especially when that friend is Jack!
    ...

  • My Little Brother

    Little brothers are BIG trouble. They mess with your stuff--and break it. They don't do chores--you do them all. And they get away with everything--while you get blamed! Here's a kid with firsthand knowledge of little brothers, and he's not quiet abo...

  • Emma in Charge

    Emma is back! This time, the little bear with a big heart wants to be the boss.Emma shepherds her little flock of favorite toys through a busy schedule -- there's breakfast and schooltime, a fun recess and music, and even a checkup at the doctor. ...

  • Big Brown Bear Goes to Town

    Poor Rat! Every time it rains, his little yellow car fills with water. And bailing it out by himself is always buckets of trouble. Thank goodness his friend Big Brown Bear is there with a smart--and sneaky--solution. But to pull it off, Bear will fir...

  • Boy on the Brink

    That night there was a storm. Thunder shook the boy's bed and sent it flying . . . and when it landed, the bed was transformed into a world of mountains and valleys, with a river that spilled over a waterfall into a vast green sea.

    A little ...

  • Water Boy

    Beloved illustrator McPhail offers a child’s magical view of the natural world.When a little boy overcomes his fear of water, fantastic things begin to happen: The birds who live by the sea bring him treasures, the waves sing to him, and suddenly, ...

  • Big Brown Bear's Birthday Surprise

    To celebrate Big Brown Bear's special day, his friend Rat has planned a lovely picnic on the riverbank. All is going swimmingly, complete with cucumber sandwiches, warm sunshine, and even a surprise gift from Rat. 
                But when...

  • Sylvie & True

    Sylvie, a rabbit, and True, a water snake, are best friends. They live together in a small apartment on a quiet street in a big city. Like a lot of best friends, Sylvie and True are different in many ways. Sylvie sleeps in a bed; True sleeps in the b...

  • The Searcher and Old Tree

    After a long night of foraging, a tired raccoon returns home to sleep in Old Tree's branches. Oblivious to the rain and wind of a raging storm, the raccoon is protected and sheltered by the tree. Beloved author-illustrator David McPhail crafts a simp...

  • Dot and Bob

    Green Light Readers: Level 1

  • No!

    ONE POWERFUL WORD Standing up to bullies of all kinds in a poignant tale.

    The word "No" repeated three times is the only thing said in this otherwise wordless book that speaks volumes. A young boy sets out to deliver a letter and witnesses ...

  • Budgie & Boo

    Morning, noon, and night, Budgie and Boo work in their gardens, have adventures, and solve problems for each other -- from fixing a leaky roof to fixing breakfast -- because that’s what best friends are for. Together they learn that even if they lo...

  • Weezer Changes the World

    Weezer is an ordinary puppy. He barks. He slobbers. He tinkles on the carpet. But then something happens that changes him - and the world may never be the same. Simple yet profound, funny yet serious, this touching story will remind even th...

  • Waddles

    Waddles the raccoon loves to eat. In fact, he eats so much that his usual walk has turned into a waddle. He also loves to spend time with his best friend, Emily the duck, and together they like to go swimming for fish. One day Emily asks Waddles i...

  • Pig Pig Returns

    Pig Pig doesn't want to go on a road trip with Aunt Wilma and Uncle Fred! Pig Pig would rather stay home and spend his summer vacation building a rocket ship model or reading back issues of Daring Pig Exploits. Besides, his mother and Fluffy the ca...

  • Pig Pig Meets the Lion

    While Pig Pig’s mother makes breakfast, Pig Pig and the lion run down the stairs, through the kitchen, over the furniture, and romp around the house. Prepositions abound in this playful story, and an unexpected friendship is forged. But will the li...

  • The Family Tree

    A man in the 1800s comes upon a beautiful forest and decides to build his home there. When he clears the land, he leaves one special tree to grace his front yard. Over the years, several generations of his family enjoy this tree, but it is endangered...

  • Boy, Bird, and Dog

    Boy and Bird can go up to the tree house, but Dog cannot. Boy has an idea so the three friends can enjoy the tree house together. ...

  • Sick Day

    Loving friendships and caring for loved ones are the subjects of this poignant, easy-to-read picture book. When Boy gets sick, family and friends try to help him get well. Mom brings soup. Dog brings a bone, and Bird brings pizza. Though he declin...

  • Ben Loves Bear

    Ben and Bear do everything together. After breakfast, they play hide-and-seek and do tricks to make each other laugh. At night, Ben tells Bear a bedtime story and Bear snuggles with Ben until he falls asleep. The youngest readers will relate to th...

  • Bella Loves Bunny

    A companion board book to Ben Loves Bear, Bella Loves Bunny shares the sweet story of friendship between a little girl and her beloved stuffed bunny rabbit, from morning till night. Bella and Bunny do everything together. In the morning, they play...

  • My Mother Goose

    Enter the beloved world of Mother Goose with the whimsical illustrations of David McPhail. Here classic rhymes come to life with energy, humor, and the sweetest charm. With a loveable cast of zoo and farm animals, this book also includes concepts lik...

  • Bad Dog

    Forgiveness and love triumph at the end of this charming, easy-to-read story of a family dog who is rarely on his best behavior....

  • Andrew Draws

    Beloved author David McPhail tells the story of a small boy who does the extraordinary in this whimsical picture book that will remind readers of the power that both art and artist can wield. When Andrew finds a crayon under the sofa, he puts it t...

  • Baby Pig Pig Talks

    David McPhail takes readers back in time to when Pig Pig, star of the popular picture-book series, was a baby. Baby Pig Pig tries to copy his mother's speech as she points out the animals and objects around them, but nothing he says seems to come...

  • Baby Pig Pig Walks

    David McPhail takes readers back in time to when Pig Pig, star of the popular picture-book series, was a baby. Baby Pig Pig is learning to walk. After a few rough starts, he makes his way out of the playpen and into the kitchen, right into his mo...

  • Brothers

    Sometimes brothers are different. Sometimes they're alike. Some days brothers get along. Other days they don't! But on this they agree: brothers stick together. Always. A sweet and humorous companion to David McPhail's "Sisters," a favorite since ...

  • Peter Loves Penguin

    Peter and Penguin wake up to snow on the ground and immediately get bundled up to play outside. After making snowballs and a snowman and enjoying the perfect winter day together, they return inside to warm up and share some cocoa. In this compani...

  • I Get Dressed

    A fox in a dress, a rabbit in shoes -- if they can get dressed, so can you! From David McPhail comes a board book of early concept words. In "I Get Dressed," animals try on different articles of clothing, often to hilarious effect, ultimately teachin...

  • I Play

    Run, sing, dance, and hop―follow Bear on his energetic romp! From David McPhail comes a board book of early concept words. In "I Play," a charming bear demonstrates children's favorite action verbs, allowing children to replicate Bear's movements a...

  • Beatrix Potter

    All her life, Beatrix Potter loved to paint. From a young age, she painted the bunnies, mice, and other pets who populated her family home. These characters later populated her stories, which are beloved the whole world over. With beautiful scenes ri...

  • Crash! the Cat

    The family cat destroys everything in his path, and the two girls who love him worry that he may be sick or blind in this story of unconditional pet love. Crash destroys Kait’s drum set, Krissie’s doll, Mom’s cake and Dad’s paint job. The ...

  • Olivia Loves Owl

    A companion to Ben Loves Bear, Bella Loves Bunny, and Peter Loves Penguin, Olivia Loves Owl features a little girl and her beloved stuffed owl. Olivia and Owl pick apples and frolic through piles of colorful leaves. After enjoying a perfect fall day,...

  • I Promise

    "What's a promise?" When Baby Bear asks Mother Bear this important question, she promises her cub that she will feed him, play with him, and do everything she can to keep him safe. But Baby Bear has more questions: What happens if you break a prom...

  • I Hug

    Writing at Guided Reading Level A, beloved author-illustrator David McPhail reminds new readers about all the huggable things we encounter every day. I hug my cat. I hug my dog. I hug my rock. There are so many things to hug, each and eve...

  • Who Loves Me?

    As Walter and Mama gather blueberries for a pie, little Walter asks, over and over, “Who loves me?” Mama tells Walter how much Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa love him. She tells him about how much his aunts and friends and pets love him, too. But, w...

  • Baby Bear's Book of Tiny Tales

    Great for fans of the Little Bear series, this collection of four sweet stories of friendship and discovery makes a perfect new baby gift. This collection of simple, short, and irresistibly sweet stories about Baby Bear finding things--and figurin...

  • Jump

    For the very newest readers, a funny story with charming illustrations--about friendship, animals, and jumping!--by a beloved author-illustrator. I can jump. She can jump. A bug, a cow (over the moon, of course) ... even a hippo can jump. De...

  • I Hug You and You

    A rhyming story of love for family, friends, nature, and pets with adorable pictures by a beloved author-illustrator! In a board book format. I hug my bear./I hug my mother./I hug my dad ... /and baby brother. A child hugs a rock, tree, friends,...

  • I Am Just Right

    The boy in this book is growing and changing--just like you! Self-acceptance and change are celebrated when a child gives up babyish ways and becomes a "big boy"! The boy in this book is too big for his crib, his shoes, and his tricycle. And he is...

  • The Lost Little Bird

    David McPhail's The Lost Little Bird is a funny and affirming picture book about a little bird who goes on an adventure to discover who he is.When a little bird bumps his head one day, he loses his memory. He can't even remember what kind of bird he ...

  • I Had Ten Hats

    Help a little raccoon help find all of his silly hats in this Level C beginning reader for kids.I had a red hat. I had a bed hat. Little raccoon has 10 hats in all. But a strong wind comes by and scatters them everywhere. He'll need help from readers...

  • I Feel Safe

    Thunder cracks. Lightning flashes. The lights go out. But Mommy, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa help a young girl feel safe. What makes you feel safe?The storm is very scary! Then Grandma lights candles, Grandpa plays his guitar, Mommy makes cocoa, Daddy...

  • Truffle: A Dog (and Cat) Story

    Truffle, a dedicated farm dog who loved his work but struggled with cats, embarks on a journey to find what’s missing in his life.This is the story of a little dog who had difficulties with cats, until the day that everything changed. Truffle, ...

  • If You Were My Bunny

    • / General Fiction
    • Buy Buy

    The sweet, soothing sounds of a mother's words come through loud and clear in this small book as familiar lullabies are given a twist by McMullan. A bunny, a bear cub, a kitten, a duckling, and a puppy are gathered in by their mothers as the day com...

Award-Winning Books by David McPhail

Edward and the Pirates
1998 Bookseller's Choice -- Picture Book
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore!
1994 Kentucky Bluegrass Award -- Grades K-3


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

David McPhail has published 111 books.

David McPhail does not have a new book coming out soon. The latest book, Truffle: A Dog (and Cat) Story, was published in June 2023.

The first book by David McPhail, The Cereal Box, was published in January 1974.

No. David McPhail does not write books in series.
Publisher Series
Top Authors in Fairy Tales / Folklore
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