Author Profile
Alison McGhee
16 Books
Alison McGhee is a bestselling American author known for her wide range of engaging books for children, young adults, and adults. She has penned beloved picture books and chapter books, including the popular Julia Gillian series and Countdown to Kindergarten. McGhee is also widely recognized for co-authoring the acclaimed Bink & Gollie series with Kate DiCamillo.
From the very first moments of life, a mother watches her child grow with wonder and love. She remembers kissing your tiny fingers, watching you take your first steps in the deep woods, and seeing you bravely cross the street alone. But she is also dreaming about the future and all the amazing milestones you have yet to reach. Someday, you will dive into the cool, clear water of a lake, run so fast your heart pounds, and hold the hand of someone you love. This beautiful and tender book is a love letter to growing up. It captures the bittersweet joy of watching a child discover the world, reminding you that no matter how big you get or how far you go, you will always carry a piece of home in your heart.
6-8 Years
20 Pages
You pack the snow tight, rolling it into three perfect spheres to build the best snowman ever! He is your new friend, standing tall and proud in the winter wonderland. But as the wind shifts and the days grow warmer, the snow begins to melt. Where does your frosty friend go when spring arrives? Though the seasons change and the snowman becomes rain and fog, the memories of your fun together will never fade. This tender story explores the magic of winter and the comforting truth that what you truly care about stays with you always, even when it changes shape.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
The world is full of amazing surprises, and growing up is the biggest adventure of them all! Every single day brings new choices to make and new paths to explore. Will you build soaring towers, write beautiful songs, or travel to the stars? No matter what you decide to do, it takes bravery to discover exactly who you want to be. This warm and uplifting book celebrates the journey of growing up and all the wonderful possibilities waiting in your future. It is a gentle reminder to dream big, step forward with courage, and know that you are loved every step of the way.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
The clock is ticking! It is just ten days until kindergarten starts, and you have heard all the rules from a very serious first grader. No stuffed animals, no cats, and worst of all: no asking for help. Ever. That sounds like a disaster when you are the only kid who does not know how to tie your own shoes! What will happen if your laces come undone? As the big day creeps closer, panic sets in, and avoiding school altogether seems like the only option. This incredibly funny and reassuring story captures all the jitters of starting something new. It proves that facing your fears is not so bad, and maybe, just maybe, the rules of kindergarten are not as scary as they seem!
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Attention, deputies! The young sheriff and his trusty dog have been assigned a very important mission: safely transport a dozen delicious donuts all the way home. Everything is going perfectly until the sheriff decides to take a tiny peek inside the box, just to check on those tasty treats. They look so good, and they are practically calling his name. In the blink of an eye, after just a few tiny nibbles, an entire donut vanishes into thin air! Where could the missing treat possibly be? The powdered sugar evidence might hold a clue. This hilarious and sweet mystery will have you giggling as the brave sheriff tries to crack the case, even if the culprit is closer than he thinks.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
First grade is supposed to be exciting, but a scary rumor has just changed everything! According to a very knowledgeable second grader, your new teacher, Mrs. Watson, is actually a three-hundred-year-old alien with a purple tongue who steals baby teeth. This is terrible news because you have a huge secret: your very first tooth is loose! How can you possibly survive an entire school year without opening your mouth? From keeping your lips glued shut to hiding in plain sight, you will have to try every trick in the book to keep your tooth safe. This laugh-out-loud adventure perfectly captures the wild worries of a new school year and the wobbly milestone of losing a first tooth.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
Way out on the edge of town, inside a tall, dark house, lives a little witch who is not afraid of anything. She has heard all sorts of spooky stories about humans and their strange holiday called Halloween. The older witches say humans do not even fly, they wear hats that are not pointy, and they hardly ever cackle! But this brave witch wants to see for herself. On Halloween night, she zooms off on her broomstick to investigate these mysterious creatures. What she discovers is not scary at all, it is actually quite fun! This playful, lighthearted story spins a spooky holiday upside down, showing that making new friends and trying new things is the best kind of magic.
6-8 Years
38 Pages
It is Halloween night, and one very brave witch is eager to show her little sister the ropes. She wants to teach the tiny Witchling everything she knows about humans, including the strange and wonderful things they enjoy, like that yucky, sticky stuff they call candy. But the lesson does not go exactly as planned! The little Witchling decides that human candy is actually delicious, and her sweet tooth quickly leads to some serious trick-or-treating mischief. When the big sister flies off to rescue her sibling and set things straight, she ends up getting stuck in a tree! Now, it is up to the little Witchling to prove she is not afraid to be brave, too. This delightful, not-so-scary Halloween adventure is packed with giggles, sibling teamwork, and plenty of sweet treats.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Meet Bink and Gollie, two utterly irrepressible girls who prove that opposites make the best of friends! One is tiny and energetic, powered by peanut butter. The other is tall and artistic, fueled by pancakes. Together, they share a super-deluxe treehouse and embark on hilarious escapades. This delightful collection brings their comical adventures together, from hunting down painfully bright socks and exploring the state fair to visiting a mysterious fortune-teller and navigating the ups and downs of compromise. Whether they are trying to win the world's largest donut or surviving an impromptu trek to the Andes, their quick-witted banter and fierce loyalty always shine through. Packed with slapstick humor and heartwarming moments, this exuberant celebration of camaraderie shows that no matter how different you are, true friendship is the greatest adventure of all.
6-8 Years
After dinner, a little boy asks his father for a story. Not just any story: the one written across his father's skin.
Each tattoo holds a memory. One reaches back to a favorite book. Another recalls words once spoken. Another remembers a long journey. As father and son talk, the pictures become a path through family history, love, and the moments that shaped a life.
Tell Me a Tattoo Story is a tender picture book about sharing the past with a child in a way that feels close, honest, and warm. With gentle illustrations and a quiet bedtime feeling, it celebrates family stories, memory, and the lasting marks love can leave.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Celebrate the tall and short of a marvelous friendship with Bink and Gollie! These two best friends could not be more different. Bink is tiny, messy, and full of wild energy. Gollie is tall, proper, and loves to be in charge. But despite their differences, they are absolutely inseparable. In this hilarious and heartwarming adventure, the dynamic duo is back for more slapstick fun and sweet moments. Whether they are chasing down a royal bloodline, trying to set a world record, or simply learning how to compromise, Bink and Gollie prove that true friendship can survive any silly disagreement. Packed with fresh, wry dialogue and delightful illustrations, this Geisel Award-winning series is a joyful ode to camaraderie. Join these two unforgettable characters as they discover that no matter what crazy situations they stumble into, they will always be best friends forever.
6-8 Years
88 Pages
High up in the heavens, the angels are buzzing with excitement as a very special baby is about to be born! All the angels are rushing around, gathering the most extraordinary presents to welcome the new arrival. One little angel desperately wants to give a gift too, but what could she possibly offer that is as magnificent as the others? Feeling stuck, she peers over the edge of a cloud and spots a caravan of kings on camels, completely lost in the dark desert below. Suddenly, she knows exactly what she needs to do! In a flash of brilliance, she offers the only thing she can, proving that the most meaningful gifts cannot be wrapped in paper or bought in a store. This heartwarming, creative twist on the nativity story celebrates the magic of giving selflessly and being a guiding light for others.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
The world is full of massive discoveries, even in the smallest of moments. For a little boy, picking up that hundredth rock from the driveway or playing with a bright yellow cup is serious business! These simple playthings and everyday routines are actually brimming with endless possibilities. From splashing in puddles to building castles out of cardboard boxes, every tiny action is a stepping stone into a bright and beautiful future. This tender and poetic book invites readers to slow down and appreciate the magic of childhood. It captures the profound love of a parent watching their son grow, offering a gentle reminder that the best way to prepare for tomorrow is to simply let a little boy be a little boy today.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
Everyone knows the most important rule: only a true witch can fly. But one little girl wants to soar through the dark night sky more than anything else in the world! On a magical evening, with the autumn moon glowing bright and her trusty black cat by her side, she decides it is time to try. She grips her wooden broom tight, gathers all her courage, and leaps into the air. She fails. But she is exceptionally brave, and she absolutely refuses to give up! With a little help from her friends and a lot of determination, she dusts herself off and tries again. Will her biggest dream finally take flight? This beautifully poetic and enchanting story is a magical celebration of perseverance. It gently reminds readers that if you want to reach for the stars, you just have to follow your heart and keep trying.
6-8 Years
56 Pages
The Completely Marvelous Collection
Meet Bink and Gollie, two bright and incredibly funny best friends who share a super-deluxe tree house! Bink is tiny and runs on peanut butter, while Gollie is tall and fueled by pancakes. Together, these roller-skating pals are ready for anything, but they do not always see eye to eye. Across three hilarious adventures, they must navigate some very important disagreements. Will outrageously bright socks ruin their friendship? What happens when Gollie decides to take an impromptu trek to the Andes Mountains? And how will they handle the arrival of a very unexpected new companion? Whether they are arguing over goldfish or exploring new horizons, these two prove that compromise is the secret to a great partnership. Roll along with Bink and Gollie and discover that at the end of the day, true best friends always stick together!
6-8 Years
81 Pages
Bink and Gollie are best friends, but they are not exactly the same kind of best friend. Bink charges ahead with big feelings and bigger plans. Gollie likes drama, style, and doing things her own way. When the state fair arrives, both girls are ready for glory.
There is a Whack-a-Duck game with a giant doughnut prize, a talent show that may not go quite as planned, and a fortune-teller waiting with mysterious words about the future. Each short adventure is full of funny surprises, quick thinking, and the kind of friendship that can wobble without falling apart.
With lively illustrations and sharp, playful dialogue, Two for One is a bright early reader for kids who enjoy humorous stories about loyal friends, big ambitions, and small disasters at the fair.
6-8 Years
81 Pages
