· 2016
"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."― School Library Journal, starred review A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors) and Christian Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street). 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. This delightful back-to-school picture book told from the POV of the school is a great read-aloud, and perfect for readers of all ages.
· 2019
This sweet book will appeal to 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. In this 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.
· 2020
A read-aloud gem about teamwork and togetherness from New York Times bestselling author Adam Rex! If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Well, what if the answer was: ALL OF THEM! When a bird narrowly escapes the clutches of a hungry cat, a nearby crab admires the bird's ability to fly, while the bird admits a longtime yearning for claws. And, just like that, they team up. Pretty soon, the team includes every animal in the forest who's ever wanted someone else's special trait. But how will these animals stop humans from destroying the forest for a megamall? It's going to take claws, wings, and Congress together to be truly Unstoppable! Laura Park's bright, comic illustrations pair with bestselling author Adam Rex's laugh-out-loud text in this hilarious and insightful picture book about celebrating the ways you're unique, and using all your resourcefulness—and just a smidge of politics—to save the day. • Unstoppable! provides a timely lesson on the glories of diversity and the power of working together. • Perfect read-aloud book for children interested in animals, the environment, and political action For fans of Nothing Rhymes with Orange, Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, The Wolf the Duck and The Mouse, and Penguin Problems. • Books for kids ages 3–5 • Read-aloud picture books • Picture books about Congress and government Adam Rex is an author, illustrator, and author-illustrator known for his books including The Dirty Cowboy, School's First Day of School, and The True Meaning of Smekday, which was adapted into the DreamWorks film Home in 2014. He lives in Tucson, Arizona. Laura Park is a cartoonist, illustrator, and enthusiastic baker from Chicago currently living in France.
· 2023
You’ve Reached Sam meets The Good Place in this deeply-felt, surreal and fully illustrated love story about a girl, a boy, a dreamer, and a dream from best-selling and award-winning author Adam Rex. Zelda is stuck in a dream. A very strange dream, where people can fly, bears sneeze money, and her childhood cat, Patches, is somehow alive - despite being run over years ago. Things only get stranger when Zelda meets Langston, a sweet if overly timid guy who feels more real to her than anyone she’s ever met. As Zelda and Langston explore the far reaches of the dreamscape together, they find themselves growing closer and closer. But what they uncover along the way pushes them towards a truth neither of them wants to face. Will it turn out that he's the guy of her dreams, or is she the girl of his? Full of mind-bending artwork, Adam Rex's A Little Like Waking is a tender, insightful read that defies time, space, and expectation that's perfect for fans of Every Day and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
· 2017
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
· 2025
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.
· 2020
On Account of the Gum is a book about how the best intentions lead to some of the worst (and funniest) ideas! Serious humor abounds in this story about one kid's hilarious misadventures with gum, and the cumulative buildup of stuff stuck in hair. From the madcap mind of Adam Rex comes a book about the improbable, downright bizarre remedies for a problem kids have faced since the creation of gum. • Features hilarious text with unexpected turns and fun rhymes • Wacky suggestions make this prime for constant giggles and repeat reading • Author Adam Rex has a funny, smart, and relatable style How do you get gum out of your hair—a pair of scissors? Butter? The cat? Call your aunt, she'll know what to do. She doesn't? Try the fire department! With each page turn, this situation—relatable to any family—grows stickier and more desperate. • A wonderful blend of light wordplay, zany humor, and a timeless topic • Perfect for fans of The Day the Crayons Quit and If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! • Great for parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and educators who are looking for a funny, relatable tale to read out loud • You'll love this book if you love books like We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins, The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt, and The Bad Seed by Jory John.
· 2013
Aliens have invaded Earth and instructed all of the humans to move to Florida. They landed on Christmas Day – now named Smekday, after the glorious leader of the Boovs, Captain Smek. Gratuity Tucci doesn't want to be shipped off to Florida in a rocketpod. She has a plan . . . Luckily Gratuity can drive – she nails tin cans to her shoes to reach the pedals. She had to learn after her mum was abducted by the aliens. So begins an epic journey with a brilliant girl hero, a cat named Pig and a friendly Boov who's taken the human name J.Lo, all determined to save the Earth from a much bigger threat . . . This original, imaginative and wonderfully wacky sci-fi adventure inspired the major motion picture, HOME
"A collection of short, true stories by well-known and up-and-coming YA authors on the teenage experience"--
· 2016
What do you do when the moon lowers itself into your backyard? When mornings are replaced by perpetual night, and people sigh-sleep in their eyes. What do you do when the tide comes in, and all the neighborhood dogs won't stop howling? You take the moon for a ride. Adam Rex creates a fantastic tale that is both imaginative and beautiful; one that blurs the line between dreams and reality.