Author & Illustrator Profile
Bob Shea
22 Books
Bob Shea is an author and illustrator who creates incredibly funny and high-energy picture books. He is the creator of the popular Dinosaur vs. series, the Ballet Cat books, and many other silly stories that kids love to read aloud.
Nothing can stop Dinosaur. Not a pile of leaves. Not a big slide. Not spaghetti. Not bath time. Each challenge gets a mighty roar, and each time Dinosaur wins again. But at the end of the day, one final opponent waits: bedtime.
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime is a high-energy picture book built around repetition, sound, and the unstoppable confidence of one little red dinosaur. Bob Shea turns ordinary parts of a child’s day into dramatic contests, making the book especially fun to read aloud. Young readers will love roaring along, predicting the next victory, and watching Dinosaur face the one challenge every energetic kid eventually meets. It is funny, simple, and perfectly tuned to the battle between big energy and sleep.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
Race day has arrived, and Cheetah is certain he cannot lose. He is bigger, taller, stronger, and faster than the little cats. Really, why race at all when the winner seems so obvious? But the little cats are clever, and they have no plans to make things easy.
Cheetah Can’t Lose is a funny animal picture book about overconfidence, quick thinking, and the difference between speed and smarts. Bob Shea’s bold, graphic style gives the race a lively, comic feel, while the competition keeps readers eager to see how the small cats will handle their very sure-of-himself opponent. It is a playful choice for children who enjoy contests, trickster humor, and stories where brains may matter more than bragging.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Chez Bob looks like a lovely restaurant for birds. The food is ready, the customers are arriving, and the location is unforgettable: right on Bob the alligator’s nose. Bob’s real plan is not very friendly. Birds will come to eat, and then Bob will eat the birds.
But running a restaurant is not as simple as Bob expects. The birds keep coming, staying, talking, and turning his sneaky scheme into something much more complicated. Chez Bob is a witty picture book about a lazy predator, a very bad plan, and the surprising pull of friendship. Bob Shea’s humor keeps the story sharp and silly while giving young readers a satisfying look at how someone selfish can begin to change.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
This young hippo’s daddy is lovable, but he seems to need a lot of help. He does not quite know how to get dressed, climb into the car, water flowers, or even eat carrots the right way. Luckily, his child is there to show him exactly what to do.
Oh, Daddy! is a sweet, funny picture book about a child feeling capable and a father playing along with warmth and silliness. Bob Shea turns everyday family moments into small comic lessons, letting young readers enjoy the idea of being the expert for once. Beneath the jokes is a gentle celebration of the give-and-take between parents and children, especially the affection that shows up in patient teaching, playful mistakes, and big hugs.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Shark is not afraid of anything. The dark? No. A big mean bear? Not even close. Shark is tough, confident, and ready to prove that nothing can scare him. But his underwater friends have one more question, and it may reveal the one tiny thing that makes even Shark nervous.
I Am a Shark! is a bright, funny picture book about bragging, fear, and the surprises hiding behind a tough attitude. Bob Shea keeps the text simple and punchy, making it easy for young readers to join in and predict what Shark will say next. The humor is bold, the ocean setting is playful, and the emotional idea is reassuring: everyone is afraid of something, even someone with very sharp teeth.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
The ghost narrator insists this is the scariest book ever. He would go into the forest with you, but there is a dark hole, and anything could be inside. A monster? A terrifying creature? Something with fangs? The pictures, however, keep telling a much less frightening story.
The Scariest Book Ever is a playful picture book about fear, imagination, and comic overreaction. Bob Shea lets readers enjoy knowing more than the nervous ghost, turning every page into a funny surprise. The story has just enough spooky language to feel exciting without becoming truly scary, making it a strong choice for children who like ghosts, pumpkins, page-turn jokes, and books that let them laugh at fear.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Dinosaur is on his way to the library, and he is bringing his roar with him. Along the way, he meets animal friends who join the fun, because roaring can make almost anything feel better. But the library has its own rules, and Storytime may be a challenge even Dinosaur has not faced before.
Dinosaur vs. the Library is a lively picture book about noise, friendship, and the joy of books. Bob Shea’s red dinosaur charges through the story with the familiar energy of the Dinosaur vs. series, while the library setting gives the adventure a warm reading theme. It is especially fun as a read-aloud, with repeated roars, animal encounters, and a gentle reminder that some places invite a different kind of voice.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
A chicken has new orange socks, and suddenly the whole world feels different. Walking is fancier. Standing is better. Being noticed is almost guaranteed. These are not just socks; they are confidence for your feet.
New Socks captures the funny, very real excitement of loving something new so much that it changes how you move through the day. Bob Shea’s bright, quirky picture book uses simple language and bold humor to celebrate kid logic, self-expression, and the proud joy of showing off a favorite thing. Young readers who have ever loved one shirt, cape, hat, toy, or pair of socks more than anything else will understand this chicken completely.
6-8 Years
43 Pages
Ballet Cat wants to leap, spin, and twirl. Sparkles the Pony has other ideas, like crafts, checkers, and lemonade. But somehow every game Ballet Cat suggests turns into more ballet, and Sparkles is not having nearly as much fun as Ballet Cat thinks.
In The Totally Secret Secret, two friends face a small problem that feels enormous: how do you tell your best friend what you really want? With short sentences, expressive art, and plenty of playful repetition, this Ballet Cat story is just right for new readers building confidence. It is funny, tender, and honest about friendship, especially when friends have to listen instead of guessing.
6-8 Years
56 Pages
Dinosaur does not need the potty. Definitely not. Not after lemonade, not after running through the sprinkler, not after a three-juice-box lunch, and not after splashing in puddles. Dinosaur is far too busy winning every challenge to stop for such a thing. But that wiggly little dance may not be the victory dance he thinks it is.
Dinosaur vs. the Potty brings Bob Shea’s roaring red hero into a very familiar daily struggle. With energetic repetition, bold art, and a silly battle-of-wills structure, this picture book turns bathroom urgency into comedy. For older picture-book readers, it works as a funny character story about stubbornness, timing, and learning when even a champion has to pause.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
Welcome to the wildest game show in picture books. Mr. McMonkey is ready to host, Action Clam is ready for danger, and a cow is somehow part of the stunt team. Your job is simple: guess what happens next. Will it crash? Will it splash? Or will it moo?
Crash, Splash, Or Moo! is built for readers who like shouting answers, predicting disasters, and laughing at wonderfully ridiculous surprises. Bob Shea turns a guessing game into a fast, noisy read-aloud with animals, stunts, and game-show excitement. The interactive structure keeps children involved on every page, while the silly setups make it fun to reread and guess again.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Goat was doing fine until Unicorn showed up. Unicorn can fly to school, make it rain cupcakes, and turn things into gold. Suddenly Goat’s bike, snacks, and ordinary goat talents do not seem very impressive at all.
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great is a smart, funny picture book about jealousy, comparison, and discovering that even someone who looks amazing may wish for something different. Bob Shea gives Goat a wonderfully grumpy voice, making the story playful without losing its emotional truth. Young readers will enjoy the magical show-off moments, the sharp humor, and the gentle idea that friendship can begin when two very different characters finally notice each other’s strengths.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Dinosaur is ready for Christmas, and he plans to win at everything. Decorating? ROAR. Making presents for Mom and Dad? ROAR. Trying not to be naughty? ROAR again. But Christmas Eve brings a new challenge: strange noises downstairs and the possibility of Santa himself.
Dinosaur vs. Santa mixes holiday excitement with the loud, bouncy humor of the Dinosaur vs. series. Young readers get the fun of a familiar Christmas setting, plus the comic energy of a little red dinosaur who treats every moment like a contest. It is a cheerful read-aloud for children who understand how hard it can be to wait, behave, and stay in bed when something magical might be happening nearby.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Unicorn is used to being amazing. Flying, cupcake rain, and golden magic usually get everyone’s attention. But on the first day of school, the other kids are excited about a new toy trend, and Unicorn suddenly feels ordinary. For someone who is used to sparkle, that is a very strange feeling.
Unicorn Is Maybe Not So Great After All is a funny school story about popularity, confidence, and figuring out who you are when applause gets quiet. Bob Shea brings back Unicorn and Goat with the same bright humor and emotional bite that make their friendship so appealing. Readers ages six to eight will recognize the pressure to impress others and the comfort of having a friend who sees more than your tricks.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Dinosaur is spending the day with Mommy, which means Mommy is about to get a lot of help. Dinosaur helps wake her up. Dinosaur helps shop. Dinosaur helps with laundry. Of course, Dinosaur’s kind of help comes with plenty of roaring, racing, and mess-making energy.
Dinosaur vs. Mommy turns an ordinary parent-and-child day into a playful contest full of noise and affection. Bob Shea’s little red dinosaur is bold, stubborn, and hilarious, but the heart of the story is the warm bond between a child and a mother who knows exactly what she is up against. This picture book is a lively choice for readers who enjoy family stories, silly routines, and big feelings told with comic bounce.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Ballet Cat is ready to help Butter Bear prepare for a big ballet debut. Leap, leap, leap. That is the plan. Butter Bear, however, seems much more interested in pointing a toe, taking a snack break, getting a drink, or maybe having a nap. Something is making that leap feel impossible.
Dance! Dance! Underpants! is a playful Ballet Cat early reader about nerves, friendship, and one very silly reason to avoid the spotlight. Bob Shea uses short dialogue, bright art, and comic timing to make the story friendly for developing readers. The humor is big and goofy, but the emotional situation is real: sometimes a friend needs encouragement, patience, and a little understanding before taking a brave step.
6-8 Years
56 Pages
Reuben has brought doughnuts for his scout troop, but everyone is looking at his pants. There is a wet spot, and Reuben is absolutely sure someone else must be responsible. He demands answers, points fingers, and searches for a culprit while his friends gently try to tell him that accidents happen.
Who Wet My Pants? turns a deeply embarrassing moment into a clever, compassionate comedy. Young readers will laugh at Reuben’s dramatic outrage while also recognizing the uncomfortable feeling of being caught in a mistake. The story is not a potty-training lesson; it is a funny picture book about blame, pride, friendship, and the relief that comes when friends respond with kindness instead of teasing.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
Drywater Gulch has a terrible toad problem. These are not ordinary toads. They are outlaw toads, the kind who steal, holler, and cause trouble all over town. Then a seven-year-old sheriff rides in on a tortoise. Sheriff Ryan may not know much about roping or shooting, but he knows a lot about dinosaurs.
Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads is a wonderfully odd western picture book where paleontology becomes the secret weapon. Bob Shea’s comic storytelling and Lane Smith’s distinctive illustrations create a dusty town full of jokes, swagger, and clever surprises. Young readers will enjoy watching a kid solve a grown-up-sized problem with knowledge, confidence, and a very unusual way of thinking.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Gilbert the goldfish lives a pretty fantastic life inside his watery home. He has a magnificent plastic castle, a shiny chest completely filled with fake treasure, and delicious flaky food that magically falls from the sky every day. Even with all these luxuries, Gilbert feels like there is one massive thing missing from his life: he desperately wants a pet of his very own. Determined to find the perfect companion to share his bowl, Gilbert embarks on a hilarious and harrowing search from the safety of his watery world. His brave quest is filled with loud barking noises, confusing buzzing insects, and one giant, furry, whiskered surprise that he definitely did not expect. Get ready to cheer for the most lovable fish around as he tries to find a best friend.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Do not turn the page. The little monster in this book has made that very clear. He will warn you, threaten you, and maybe even try to chomp you if you keep going. Why is he so desperate to stop you? He has something delicious to protect, and sharing is not part of his plan.
I Will Chomp You! is a fast, funny read-aloud that speaks directly to the reader. Jory John’s mischievous text and Bob Shea’s bold illustrations create a monster who is more silly than scary, making the book perfect for children who like interactive stories and dramatic page turns. Under all the chomping is a playful story about greed, possession, and the ridiculous things we do to keep treasures to ourselves.
6-8 Years
21 Pages
Floyd Peterson has a serious problem. Yes, he has shaggy purple fur, claws, and rather pointy teeth. He even lives in a closet. But he really wishes everyone would stop calling him a monster! It hurts his feelings when people run away screaming before they even say hello. Floyd wants you to know that he is so much more than his scary appearance. He likes normal things, and he just wants to be treated like a regular guy. In this laugh-out-loud story, you will follow Floyd as he tries to convince the world to look past his pointy teeth and see the friendly personality underneath. It is a hilarious reminder that you should never judge someone by how they look, and that everyone deserves a chance to show who they really are.
6-8 Years
22 Pages
A boy in the classroom corner is not just sitting there. He is planning. Big planning. Huge planning. With a lucky, stinky hat on his head and a mynah bird at his side, he is ready to find money, give orders, run a city, lead the country, and maybe even blast off to the moon.
Big Plans turns one child’s confidence into a loud, funny, larger-than-life adventure. The story celebrates imagination, ambition, and the wild way a big idea can grow when a kid decides the future belongs to him. With playful language and bold illustrations, this picture book is a high-energy read-aloud for children who like stories that feel as fearless as they are funny.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
