It’s three stories in one picture book as Hornbeam the moose embarks on adventures with his friends in this first installment in the series from the creative team behind the Gooseberry Park, Motor Mouse, and the Mr. Putter & Tabby books!

Hornbeam is a charismatic moose who loves puzzles and potato salad and, most of all, his friends. Come join the pals on their many adventures!

In “Eureka and the Picnic,” Hornbeam’s best goose friend, Eureka, invites him to a picnic. Hornbeam is looking forward to the potato salad, but with hundreds of geese relatives looking to chat, will he ever get a bite?

In “Sleeping at Cuddy’s House,” Hornbeam sleeps over at his friend Cuddy the bull’s house. Cuddy is happy to have him but finds out Hornbeam is a very loud snorer. Cuddy tries everything to stop the snoring, but to no avail. What is a sleepy bull to do?

In “At the Pool with Adorabelle,” Hornbeam, Eureka, and Cuddy go to cheer on their skunk friend Adorabelle at her swim race. Hornbeam can’t swim, so Adorabelle offers to give him swimming lessons. With some help from his pals, can Hornbeam face his fears and brave the pool?

About The Author

Photograph courtesy of the author

Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the beloved Henry and Mudge, Annie and Snowball, Brownie & Pearl, Motor Mouse, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

About The Illustrator

Arthur Howard

Arthur Howard is the illustrator of the Mr. Putter & Tabby, Gooseberry Park, and Motor Mouse series by Cynthia Rylant; Goatilocks and the Three Bears by Erica S. Perl; Noodle & Lou by Liz Garton Scanlon; and his own picture books including My Creepy Valentine, My Dream Dog, and When I Was Five. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

Publisher: Beach Lane Books (December 5, 2023)
Length: 48 pages
ISBN13: 9781665924825
Ages: 4 - 8

Raves and Reviews

"These new characters have so much personality and pizazz... An excellent new series of beginning chapter books."

– School Library Journal, *STARRED REVIEW*, July 2023

"Here’s the first volume of a welcome new picture-book series with amiable characters and amusing story lines."

– Booklist, *STARRED REVIEW*, 7/1/2023

"An early reader with a big heart.... All in for this dazzling series starter!"

– Kirkus, *STARRED REVIEW*, 10/15/2023

"The creators plunge into the stories with characters and situations that are immediately relatable, and readers will follow Hornbeam wherever he goes."

– Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*, 10/2/2023