From the bestselling creator of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore comes a delightfully zany picture book about puppies too adorable to resist who battle the heavy case of the blues spreading across the world.

Once upon a should-have-been-happy time, the earth is feeling sort of sad. From people to bugs and birds to forks, smiles have disappeared, and bad moods reign supreme. Then, from the outer reaches of Not-from-Here, come the Rocket Puppies! These impossibly cute canines hiccup bubbles that play songs, stop bees from stinging, and keep recesses rain-free.

Slowly but surely, everyone’s frowns turn upside down. But not everyone wants to be cheerful. Snarly McBummerpants is determined to glom onto gloom. When he billows out Mopey Smoke, can the Rocket Puppies rally to defeat this new foe?

About The Author

photograph (c) Tony Reans

William Joyce

William Joyce does a lot of stuff but children’s books are his true bailiwick (The Guardians series, Dinosaur Bob series, George Shrinks, and the #1 New York Times bestselling The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which is also his Academy Award–winning short film, to name a few). He lives in Shreveport, Louisiana. Talk to William Joyce and see upcoming work on Instagram @HeyBillJoyce.

About The Illustrator

photograph (c) Tony Reans

William Joyce

Product Details

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (November 5, 2024)
Length: 48 pages
ISBN13: 9781665961332
Ages: 4 - 8

Raves and Reviews

"[A]n absolute tonic, filled with enough joy to melt even the unhappiest hearts. The silly yet sophisticated illustrations have a dreamy retro quality that will delight both young readers and their grown-ups. Prescribe this puppy-packed picture book as an ideal antidote to a bad mood."

– Booklist, 11/1/2024

"With his signature retro flair and his tongue firmly in cheek, Joyce has crafted a parable for our times, whose optimistic silliness should prove as potent a pick-me-up as a puppy’s nose-lick."

– Publishers Weekly, 9/2/2024

"Powered by whimsy and nostalgia, a doggone adorable tale of superheroes transforming the world for the better."

– Kirkus Reviews, 9/1/2024