Sparky! by Jenny Offill

The ingenious author of 17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore and a brilliant illustrator and production designer of the Coraline movie have created a hilarious, touching picture book perfect for young animal lovers. Like the Caldecott Medal-winning Officer Buckle and Gloria, Sparky stars a pet who has more to offer than meets the eye. When our narrator orders a sloth through the mail, the creature that arrives isn’t good at tricks or hide-and-seek…or much of anything. Still, there’s something about Sparky that is irresistible.

Winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award

Jenny Offill is the author of 17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore, a Parenting Magazine Best Book of the Year and a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year, and 11 Experiments That Failed, also a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year, which Kirkus Reviews, in a starred review, called “the most joyful and clever whimsy.” Learn more at jennyoffill.com.

Chris Appelhans was selected as the Children’s Choice Illustrator of the Year at the Children’s Choice Book Awards for Sparky!, his first picture book. The book received two starred reviews, including one from Booklist declaring, “Appelhans is a revelation.” Chris has also worked on several films, as an illustrator and a production designer for Coraline, an environment designer for Fantastic Mr. Fox, and a visual development artist for The Princess and the Frog.

Author Residence: Hudson Valley, NY

Author Hometown: Massachussetts

CHRIS APPELHANS is the illustrator of A Greyhound, A Groundhog, which received five starred reviews and was praised by The New York Times as "intoxicating." Most recently, Chris wrote and directed the Netflix film Wish Dragon. He's worked as a production designer for Coraline, an environment designer Fantastic Mr. Fox, and a visual development artist for The Princess and the Frog. Chris lives in Los Angeles with his family.

Illustrator Residence: Los Angeles, CA

Illustrator Hometown: Idaho