Illustrator Profile
Sam Ricks
19 Books
Sam Ricks is an illustrator of children’s books, especially early readers and chapter books with lively, humorous artwork. He is known for illustrating David A. Adler’s Mo Jackson sports books, including Don’t Throw It to Mo! and Pass the Ball, Mo!, as well as titles in series such as Iggy, The DATA Set, and Eerie Elementary. His work helps make fast-paced school, sports, and adventure stories accessible and appealing to young readers.
Eerie Elementary has a brand new substitute teacher, and something is definitely not right. When Sam, Lucy, and Antonio decide to investigate, their search leads them straight to the old, creepy house of mad scientist Orson Eerie.
Inside, they make a terrifying discovery. The substitute is building a bizarre and massive machine. But what exactly does this invention do? The friends start to fear the worst. Is this mysterious new teacher actually trying to bring Orson Eerie back to life?
If Orson returns, the school and everyone inside will be in terrible danger. Sam and his friends have to figure out how to stop this twisted invention before it is powered up. Get ready for a fast paced adventure where you will need plenty of bravery to uncover the truth and save the day.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
Do you ever feel like grown-ups have one set of rules for themselves and a completely different set for you? Well, Iggy knows exactly how that feels! In this funny story, Iggy discovers that making money is good for grown-ups, but when he tries it, suddenly it's a big problem. And what about finding cool stuff on the sidewalk? For adults, it's 'finders keepers,' but when Iggy unearths something truly amazing, he gets into big trouble instead. Poor Iggy! He just can't figure out why he's being blamed for things he was never told not to do. Get ready to laugh along as Iggy navigates these puzzling grown-up rules and sets out to do something so incredible, it just might be legendary. Join this lovable troublemaker on his latest adventure!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
128 Pages
A massive snowstorm has hit Eerie Elementary, trapping all the students inside. But this is not an ordinary snow day. The living, breathing school is hungry, and the building is starting to freeze from the inside out.
Dangerous icicles drip from the ceilings, and massive snow piles block the dark hallways. Suddenly, Antonio is frozen solid and turns into an ice statue. The school is preparing for an icy feast, and Sam and Lucy are the only ones who can stop it.
You must join the friends as they rush to turn up the heat and unfreeze their best friend. Facing the freezing cold, Sam and Lucy realize that mad scientist Orson Eerie is more powerful than they ever imagined. Grab your winter coat and get ready to face the frost in this thrilling winter survival mission.
6-8 Years
90 Pages
Have you ever heard the phrase, one thing led to another? Usually, that means things turned out great. But for a kid like Iggy, it usually means disaster is right around the corner! It all starts when Iggy gets a completely normal, perfectly fine idea. But then, as always, things start to go wrong. Before he knows it, the school principal is involved, a basketball goes flying, and Iggy is soaring right through the air! How did a simple idea turn into such a giant mess? It is pretty hard to explain, but it is definitely going to be hilarious. Follow Iggy as he tries his best to stay out of trouble, only to find himself right in the middle of it again. He might finally learn that his wild actions actually affect the people around him. Well, maybe he will almost learn it! Get ready for non-stop laughs and a totally unforgettable adventure.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
160 Pages
Get ready for a mechanical meltdown at Newtonburg Elementary! When your science teacher tells you to build a robot, you expect a fun presentation day. But for the whiz kids known as the DATA Set, science class is about to turn into a full blown robot rebellion. Gabe, Laura, and Cesar have just finished their best inventions yet. Everything seems perfectly normal until all the classroom robots start glitching, twitching, and malfunctioning at the exact same time. Now, these metal machines are marching through the halls, and they want to take over the entire school. It is going to take some serious brainpower to stop them. Luckily, the DATA Set has a brand new classmate named Olive Thompson to help them crack the code. Can you and the team figure out how to deprogram these runaway robots before the school bell rings for the last time? Join the club and dive into this action packed adventure where you will need to think fast, work together, and use your best science skills to save the day.
6-8 Years
128 Pages
Mo Jackson is back, and this time he is taking his skills to the soccer field! Mo might be the smallest kid on his team, but he has the biggest heart and a true love for the game. He practices hard, runs fast, and always tries his best. But when it comes to kicking the ball past the goalie, Mo's little legs just don't seem to have enough power. With an important game on the line, Mo has to figure out how to make his kick count. Will he find the perfect moment to help his team score? Filled with humor, relatable struggles, and a whole lot of determination, this engaging early reader is perfect for young sports fans. It proves that with a little practice and a lot of teamwork, anyone can be a star player!
6-8 Years
Sam Graves is about to discover that his new job as school hall monitor is much more dangerous than he thought. On his very first day, he uncovers a terrifying secret. Eerie Elementary is actually a living, breathing monster that feeds on students!
The evil school is plotting a massive attack, and the upcoming class play is the perfect trap. Sam cannot fight this hungry building all by himself. He teams up with his best friends, Lucy and Antonio, to protect their classmates from the school's snapping lockers and sinking floors.
You will need a lot of courage to walk through these haunted halls. Join Sam and his friends as they race against the clock to stop the school before it strikes. Get ready for a spooky and exciting mystery that will make you look at your own school in a whole new way.
6-8 Years
90 Pages
Grab your glove and get ready to cheer for the most determined player on the field! Baseball season has finally arrived, and Mo Jackson is absolutely thrilled to play with his team, the Lions. He has his uniform on and his eye on the ball. There is just one little problem: Coach Marie always has Mo batting last, and he always gets stuck playing way out in right field. The worst part? No baseballs ever seem to fly out to right field! Mo feels like he is just waiting around, but he knows he has what it takes to help his team. Will he finally get his big chance to step up to the plate and smash a game-winning hit? This funny and highly motivational story is perfect for early readers. It is a heartwarming tale about patience, passion for sports, and never giving up on your dreams!
6-8 Years
32 Pages
The Eerie Elementary science fair is finally here, and Sam, Lucy, and Antonio are working hard on their projects. But things take a terrifying turn when they discover a strange, old book filled with notes from mad scientist Orson Eerie.
Without warning, the school comes alive again! The ground violently shakes, ordinary science projects explode, and the entire gymnasium transforms into a massive, erupting volcano. The evil school is turning up the heat, and the students are trapped in the path of the boiling lava.
You will have to think fast to survive this disastrous science fair. Sam and his friends must use the clues hidden in Orson Eerie's old book to stop the eruption and save the school. Dive into a thrilling adventure where science experiments become wildly dangerous.
6-8 Years
104 Pages
Meet nine-year-old Iggy Frangi. He really is not a bad kid. Sure, he has done a few things that people might call bad, but no one ever gets hurt, so it is never a big deal. What is a little spilled pancake batter here and there? People just get upset over nothing. Iggy completely believes that his actions are perfectly fine, until the day he comes up with the Best Idea Ever. Unfortunately, it quickly turns into the Worst Idea of All Time. For the first time, Iggy is actually very, very sorry for what he did. What exactly happened to make the neighborhood's biggest troublemaker apologize? You will have to read the story to find out! Get ready to laugh out loud as Iggy proves that he will definitely not think before acting, he will absolutely not play the cello, and he is guaranteed to bring non-stop fun to every page.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
146 Pages
Step onto the football field with the Robins and meet their newest player. Mo Jackson loves football more than anything, but he has one small problem. He is the youngest and smallest kid on the entire team. The players on the rival team think he is just a butterfingers who is way too tiny to catch a pass. They tease him and tell him to stay out of the way. But Mo is not about to sit on the sidelines. He knows that being small does not mean you cannot make a huge play. His coach knows it too, and he has a secret plan to use Mo's size to surprise everyone. Get ready to cheer for the ultimate underdog in this inspiring sports story. You will discover that sometimes the smallest player brings the biggest heart to the game. Put on your helmet and find out if Mo can catch the winning pass!
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Dive into the deep end at summer camp Field Day. Mo and his group, the Guppies, are racing against the clock and the other campers. The grand prize is something everyone wants: extra ice cream! The Guppies have tried their hardest in the three-legged race and bounced their way through the potato sack race. Now, the sun is going down and the score is completely tied. Everything comes down to the very last event of the day, and it is all up to Mo to win the swimming relay. Can he paddle fast enough to bring home the gold medal and the sweet treats? You will be holding your breath as Mo jumps into the water. Grab your goggles and swim along with this fun, fast paced story about doing your best and having a great time with your friends.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
It is a beautiful, sunny day at the beach, and Mo is ready for some fun! He and his parents are excited to spend the day by the ocean, but there is just one problem: the water is way too cold for swimming. Instead of sitting on the sand, Mo and his dad decide to go for a walk and quickly spot some friends playing an exciting game of volleyball. Mo has never played before, but he is eager to learn. After figuring out the rules, Mo and his dad jump right onto the court to help serve, set, and spike the ball over the net. The game is incredibly close, and soon the score is perfectly tied. The pressure is on! Can Mo, the smallest boy on the team, use his quick reflexes to score the final, game-winning point? Dive into this fun, fast-paced sports story about teamwork and trying your best.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Sam Graves has only been the hall monitor at Eerie Elementary for a week, but he already knows his school is a living, breathing monster. When his best friend Lucy suddenly disappears into her own locker, Sam realizes the school has struck again!
Sam and his friend Antonio must bravely follow a trail of bizarre clues that lead them straight through the locker and deep into the dark, terrifying maze hidden beneath the school. They have no idea what creepy traps the mad scientist Orson Eerie has waiting for them in the shadows.
You will have to be brave to navigate these spooky, underground tunnels. Join Sam and Antonio on a desperate rescue mission to find Lucy before it is too late. Prepare for a thrilling adventure where you will uncover even more wild secrets about the hungry school.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
Meet the smartest kids in Newtonburg Elementary. Gabe, Laura, and Cesar love studying science and hanging out on their quiet street. Everyone calls them the DATA Set because they know a little bit about everything. But their normal days of homework and hobbies disappear the moment they meet their strange new neighbor, Dr. Gustav Bunsen. He is a real mad scientist, and his experiments are completely out of control. When the doctor tests out his brand new growth ray, he accidentally blasts a box of plastic animal toys. Suddenly, the tiny toys are not just alive, they are growing bigger by the minute. Now the DATA Set has to deal with a live chimpanzee, a giraffe, and even a dinosaur wandering around the neighborhood. You will need to move fast to help them track down these wild mini beasts. Can you and the team capture the runaway animals before they become massive monsters and destroy the entire town?
6-8 Years
65 Pages
Lace up your skates and hit the ice rink with Mo Jackson. Today is the big hockey game against the mighty Ducks, and Mo is trying his hardest to get ready. The only problem is that ice is incredibly slippery, and Mo is having a tough time staying on his feet. He keeps wobbling, but his dad reminds him to keep his head up and never quit. When the game begins, Mo waits patiently on the bench for his big moment. Suddenly, the coach calls his name. The team's star player is trapped by the other team, and she needs help right away. Mo glides into the rink just in the nick of time. Will he keep his balance and make the perfect pass before the final buzzer rings? Join the team in this exciting sports story about practice and determination.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Sam, Antonio, and Lucy are enjoying a normal game of soccer at recess when something absolutely bizarre happens. A thick fog rolls in, and the school yard instantly transforms into a wild, overgrown jungle!
The grass and trees have suddenly come alive, shooting high into the sky and twisting into a monstrous hedge maze. The friends quickly realize that it is not just the school building that is alive and hungry. Every single thing on the school grounds is under Orson Eerie's evil control!
You will have to navigate through the creepy, crawling vines to help Sam and his friends escape. They must find their way out of this foggy jungle maze before the rest of the students are trapped forever. Grab your compass and get ready for a wild, fast paced rescue mission.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
Get ready to hit the court with Mo Jackson! Mo absolutely loves basketball, and he is determined to be the best player he can be. There is just one little problem: he is the shortest kid on the team. While the other players are easily tossing the ball across the court, Mo struggles to launch his passes high enough to reach his teammates. With the big championship game fast approaching, Mo knows he has to figure out a new strategy. Can he learn the perfect way to pass the ball and help his team score the winning points? This funny and highly relatable early reader celebrates perseverance, teamwork, and the idea that you don't have to be the biggest player to make the biggest impact. Perfect for sports-loving kids building their reading confidence!
6-8 Years
29 Pages
Danny is a boy who loves to sit down. He will happily rest on a fluffy couch, a squishy bean bag chair, his mother's lap, or a swinging seat at the playground. But there is one very important place where Danny absolutely refuses to sit: the toilet. Day after day, the toilet waits patiently for Danny, only to be ignored. Finally, the heartbreak of rejection becomes too heavy to handle. The toilet decides to pack up and run away from home to find a family that actually appreciates him. Get ready for a hilarious battle between a stubborn boy and a very emotional bathroom fixture. You will laugh out loud as you follow this runaway bowl on a silly adventure through the neighborhood. Can Danny and his toilet ever become friends, or will they be flushed apart forever?
6-8 Years
32 Pages
