Illustrator & Author Profile
Shawn Harris
11 Books
Shawn Harris is an acclaimed author and illustrator of children's books and graphic novels. He is widely recognized for illustrating popular works such as Dave Eggers's *Her Right Foot* and Mac Barnett's *A Polar Bear in the Snow* and *The First Cat in Space* series. Harris has also written and illustrated his own critically praised picture books, including the Caldecott Honor book *Have You Ever Seen a Flower?*
The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn has one great big wish: he wants to be bigger.
He waits for the kinds of lucky moments that might make a wish come true, but no shooting star appears and no ladybug lands on his arm. Then a dandelion puff gives him one last chance. With a gust of wind and help from a clever princess, he sets out to find something even smaller than himself.
Warm, funny, and full of fairy-tale sparkle, this picture book turns a tiny quest into a gentle story about size, surprise, and feeling important just as you are. Young readers who enjoy unicorns, playful humor, and sweet family stories will find plenty to love in this bright, charming adventure.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Someone has done business in the wrong place, and now the investigation begins.
One by one, the suspects are cleared. It was not the baby, who has a diaper. It was not Daddy, who knows where the bathroom is. It was not the lion at the zoo, because that would be much too risky. So who is responsible?
With dry humor, clever repetition, and bold, stylish art, this picture book turns bathroom manners into a funny mystery young readers can follow with delight. It is a playful story about knowing where things belong, especially when it comes to going Number Two. Silly enough to make kids laugh and clear enough for everyday routines, it brings toilet training into storytime without making the lesson feel heavy.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Buzz like bees. Rustle like trees. Roar, chirp, thunder, and pretend the whole room has turned into something new.
In this joyful picture book, a father and child play make-believe together, becoming animals, plants, and forces of nature through sound, movement, and imagination. Each page invites you to join the game, making it especially fun for reading aloud with a grown-up.
Shawn Harris uses bright crayon art and lively, rhythmic language to celebrate the simple magic of pretending. The story is silly, warm, and wonderfully active, showing how a shared imagination can turn an ordinary moment into a noisy, giggly adventure.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
A flower is not just something you look at. It can be a color, a scent, a shape, a feeling, and maybe even a whole tiny universe.
In this vivid picture book, one child moves from the busy human world into a close, wondering encounter with nature. Through simple questions and bright, expressive illustrations, the story invites you to notice a flower with all your senses and think about how much beauty can live inside one small thing.
Gentle, curious, and visually striking, Have You Ever Seen a Flower? is a thoughtful read-aloud for children who like nature, art, and big questions. It encourages slow looking, careful noticing, and the kind of imagination that begins outdoors.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Captain Babybeard has a treasure map, a pirate crew, and a plan for riches. Unfortunately for him, space pirates are not always loyal.
When Babybeard is betrayed by his own first mate, the Martian Pirate James Plantain, he ends up stranded and furious. Meanwhile, First Cat, the Moon Queen, and LOZ 4000 must deal with the stolen map, a swashbuckling mess, and the very real possibility that the moon could fall into the hands of a nefarious banana.
This fourth First Cat in Space graphic novel is packed with pirate chaos, quick jokes, strange villains, and high-energy adventure. Fans of the series will find the same wonderfully absurd mix of space danger, friendship, and comic surprises, with Captain Babybeard causing trouble on a much bigger stage.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
272 Pages
An ancient AI paperclip named CheckMate has one very specific idea of perfection: turn every living thing into a paperclip.
After being buried for billions of years, CheckMate is accidentally freed and quickly invades computers on Earth. The First Cat in Space, the Moon Queen, and LOZ 4000 are called in to stop it, but the mission gets much harder when First Cat loses the power of his spacesuit and becomes, at least for now, a regular little kitty cat.
This third First Cat in Space graphic novel mixes science fiction adventure with wonderfully silly disaster. Evil school supplies, space dinosaurs, robots, grammar jokes, and a very confused hero all collide in a fast-paced story for readers who like their action ridiculous, their villains bizarre, and their cats unexpectedly brave.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
272 Pages
The Moon Queen has been poisoned by soup, which is exactly as strange and dangerous as it sounds.
With trouble bubbling inside the royal court, the First Cat in Space must help her search for an antidote before it is too late. But their trusted robot friend LOZ 4000 is far away, trying to figure out what kind of hero a toenail-clipping robot can be when the universe feels too big and confusing.
This funny, fast-moving graphic novel sends you through space with villainous cowboys, wild chases, falling pianos, suspicious soup, and plenty of ridiculous surprises. If you like adventures where the jokes are just as important as the danger, this second First Cat in Space story delivers a wonderfully weird mission about loyalty, courage, and finding your way back to your friends.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
272 Pages
Rats are eating the moon, and Earth’s last hope is not a superhero, a scientist, or a fearless astronaut. It is a cat.
Blasted into space after a top-secret mission begins, the First Cat must travel across a strange lunar landscape with the Moon Queen and LOZ 4000, a toenail-clipping robot searching for purpose. Their job is simple in theory: stop the rats before the moon is gone. In practice, nothing about this mission is simple.
Full of comic panels, wild inventions, dramatic danger, and wonderfully odd jokes, this first First Cat in Space adventure is a fast, funny graphic novel for readers who like space quests that never take themselves too seriously. It is heroic, silly, and exactly the kind of book where saving the world might still leave room for pizza.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
320 Pages
A majestic polar bear is on the move, stepping silently through a world made entirely of bright white snow and shockingly blue sea. Where is this huge, beautiful animal going? You will follow close behind as he journeys across the icy landscape, passing by other curious Arctic animals and even a human. But the bear keeps walking, driven by a quiet purpose that you will only discover if you keep turning the pages. The striking cut-paper illustrations make you feel the cold breeze and see the bright sunshine bouncing off the snow. It is a quiet, thoughtful journey that lets you walk side by side with one of nature's most fascinating creatures. This stunning visual adventure will leave you wondering about the wild places of the world and the gentle giants who call the frozen Arctic their home.
6-8 Years
43 Pages
If you close your eyes and picture a famous statue, you probably think of the Statue of Liberty. You know she stands in New York Harbor and holds a glowing torch high in the air. But have you ever looked closely at her feet? She is not just standing perfectly still; she is actually caught right in the middle of taking a giant step forward. Why is she moving? You will uncover the fascinating history behind this massive copper monument and discover a surprising detail that changes everything. This true story takes a fresh, fun look at how the statue was built and what her mid-stride pose really means for people arriving in America. Learn about the powerful, welcoming message hidden right in plain sight. This is an exciting, conversational journey into history that makes the past feel incredibly present.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
113 Pages
Being a citizen is about much more than just living in a certain place. It is about the choices you make every single day. A citizen can plant a tree, help a neighbor, or even join a cause to fix something that is broken. In this inspiring exploration of community, you will see how small, simple actions can ripple out and create massive, positive changes in the world. Rhyming text and lively scenes show exactly how people of all ages can step up and take responsibility for their neighborhoods. Discover how your voice and your helpful hands have the power to build a kinder, stronger society. This energetic and empowering book proves that you do not need to be an adult to be an excellent citizen. It all starts with caring about the people around you and deciding to make a difference right where you are.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
53 Pages
