- Comedy
- Picture Books
- Ages 3–11
The shape of it
One universe, several ways in.
Mac Barnett is the American picture-book writer whose body of work, frequently with illustrator Jon Klassen and increasingly as illustrator-too on the Now I See seasonal quartet, is one of the most consistently inventive in contemporary children's books. Caldecott Honors for Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn; the Shape Trilogy (Triangle, Square, Circle) is the most photographed picture-book sequence of the last decade. He also writes the Kid Spy chapter-book series (a memoir of his time as a child spy, allegedly) and the First Cat in Space graphic-novel series. The work ranges from gnomic-philosophical picture book to silly chapter book to chunky graphic novel, all under a steady comic-existential sensibility.
One of the most range-y picture-book writers working, Caldecott-honoured collaborations with Jon Klassen, plus chapter-book and graphic-novel series for older readers.
Primary themes
Tone palette
- Funny
- Whimsical
- Warm
- Silly
4 series inside
Pick a way in.
Kid Spy
Best for 7–10 reluctant readers who want short illustrated chapters, lots of jokes, and a spy mission per book.
Books
6 of 6Ages
5–10Status
Complete- Funny
- Silly
- Adventurous
- Irreverent
Now I See
A quiet seasonal picture-book quartet, Barnett in lyrical-painterly mode for 3–6s.
Books
4 of 4Ages
3–7Status
Complete- Warm
- Gentle
- Cosy
- Thought provoking
The First Cat in Space
Best for 7–10s who want a fast, silly, visually inventive graphic novel series; also a great read-aloud for adults willing to do voices.
Books
4 of 4Ages
7–10Status
Ongoing- Funny
- Silly
- Adventurous
- Whimsical
The Shape Trilogy
A deadpan philosophical trilogy in three shapes, funny, strange, and unexpectedly profound for 4–8s.
Books
3 of 3Ages
4–8Status
Complete- Funny
- Whimsical
- Gentle
- Thought provoking
Cultural footprint
A shelf of evidence.
What Mac Barnett has done
- Major award winner
- Bestseller list
Cultural ubiquity
4/ 5Widely-known cultural fixture — just below household-name status.
Sensitivity
Low, and collection-wide.
Across the collection
All 23 books.
About the creator