Not Really Buddies by Jan Carr

A laugh-out-loud new illustrated chapter book series celebrating the roller coaster highs and lows of life in a second grade classroom.

Buddy has a good feeling about second grade. He knows where to go, his best friend is in his class, and he’s ready for a great year. And then Bea shows up—new, tardy, and showing off brand new stitches. Buddy was not expecting Bea.  

Bea’s fast talking and upside-down thinking leave Buddy feeling buzzy—and with his hair full of mayonnaise. How will he and Bea ever figure out how to get along in the same classroom community?

Series Overview: Buddy Finn-Lee feels ready for second grade. He knows everyone in his class and just what to expect. But Buddy is not expecting Bea. From the moment Bea bursts into the classroom and plops down in the seat he was saving, Buddy worries that this year is going to be very different from what he thought. Author Jan Car and illustrator Kris Mukai have created a chapter book series that perfectly—and hilariously—captures the ups and downs of life in a second grade classroom.

Jan Carr is the author of more than fifty books, including picture books and books in popular series. She has worked as a Head Start teacher, a book editor, and a magazine editor at Sesame Workshop. She lives in New York City, where she bikes, goes to theater and ballet, and carts her compost to the farmers market. Visit her at JanCarr.net.

Kris Mukai is a cartoonist and writer who lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. She has drawn illustrations for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Bloomberg Businessweek. Her self-published comic Commuter won the Medal of Excellence from the Society of Illustrators. She currently works as a writer at Cartoon Network and has written on Adventure Time, Craig of the Creek, We Bare Bears, and the WBB spin-off We Baby Bears. In her spare time she monitors hawk nests in her neighborhood.

Author Residence: New York, New York

Author Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Kris Mukai is a cartoonist and writer who lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. She has drawn illustrations for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Bloomberg Businessweek. Her self-published comic Commuter won the Medal of Excellence from the Society of Illustrators. She currently works as a writer at Cartoon Network and has written on Adventure Time, Craig of the Creek, We Bare Bears, and the WBB spin-off We Baby Bears. In her spare time she monitors hawk nests in her neighborhood.

Illustrator Residence: Burbank, California

Illustrator Hometown: Bel-Air, Maryland