Author & Illustrator Profile
Ryan T. Higgins
4 Books
Ryan T. Higgins is a best-selling author and illustrator of children's picture books, best known for his wildly popular Mother Bruce series. His stories frequently feature grumpy but endearing animal characters, pairing dry, relatable humor with vibrant and expressive artwork. Through engaging storytelling and memorable protagonists like Bruce the bear, Higgins consistently delights both young readers and adults.
Books in "Penelope Rex"
Most kids have normal pets like dogs, cats, fish, or guinea pigs. But Penelope Rex is not most kids, and she definitely does not have a normal pet. Meet Mittens: a six-hundred-pound saber-toothed tiger with six-inch-long teeth! Penelope was not even sure she wanted a pet when Mittens first came into her life. But now that he is here, she is absolutely determined to make the best of it. Unfortunately, having a prehistoric predator in the house can cause very big, very messy problems. From giant claw marks to massive messes, Penelope quickly discovers that taking care of an animal is a lot of hard work. Join everyone's favorite dinosaur as she navigates the wild challenges and surprising rewards of pet ownership in this hilarious, roar-tastic adventure!
6-8 Years
Penelope Rex is a little dinosaur with a very big problem. It is her first day of school, and she is incredibly excited to meet her new classmates. But when she walks into the classroom, she discovers a huge surprise. All of her classmates are human children. For a growing T-Rex, it is terribly hard to make human friends when they look so incredibly delicious. Penelope simply cannot resist taking a little bite, which quickly lands her in trouble. You will laugh out loud as this eager dinosaur tries her best to control her appetite and learn the rules of school. It is not until Penelope gets a surprising taste of her own medicine that she finally understands what it means to be a good friend. Join Penelope on a hilarious adventure about fitting in and learning that friends are for playing, not for snacking.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Penelope Rex is a very brave dinosaur, but she has one giant fear. She is absolutely terrified of Walter, the class goldfish. When her teacher announces that every student will take a turn bringing Walter home for the weekend, Penelope's anxious imagination goes into overdrive. She is sure the fish is ominously licking his lips at her. The weekend gets off to a very bumpy start, complete with a sleepless night where Walter's bowl seems to creep closer and closer to her bed. But the real panic begins when Walter suddenly goes missing. Now, Penelope must dig deep and face her biggest, fishiest fear to find her aquatic classmate. Along the way, she might just discover that there is a lot more to Walter than his chomping jaws. This hilarious and heartwarming story perfectly captures the wild worries of childhood and the courage it takes to overcome them.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Penelope the T. Rex knows deep in her heart that she was born to be a massive rock star. She loves playing her guitar and singing as loud as she can. The only problem is that her school friends just see her as a regular dinosaur, and she is feeling a little nervous about sharing her true talents at the school talent show. Taking the stage in front of everyone is incredibly scary, especially when you are worried about what your classmates might think. Join Penelope as she finds the courage to step into the spotlight and show the whole school who she really is. This funny and encouraging story proves that you should always let your true talents shine.
6-8 Years
