Mac Barnett is the ninth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. He is a New York Times-bestselling author of more than 60 books for children. His picture books include two Caldecott Honor–winning collaborations with Jon Klassen: Extra Yarn and Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. Mac lives in Oakland, California. His website is macbarnett.com.Shawn Harris is an award-winning author and illustrator of books for kids. His authorial debut Have You Ever Seen A Flower, was called a “stunning tour de force…” by The New York Times, and received a Caldecott Honor, while The Eyes and the Impossible, a #1 New York Times bestseller, written by Dave Eggers, was awarded the John Newbery Medal. The National Museum of Wildlife Art gave Shawn the Bull-Bransom Award, for excellence in the field of children’s book illustration with a focus on nature and wildlife for A Polar Bear in the Snow, by Mac Barnett, with whom he also creates The New York Times bestselling The First Cat In Space graphic novel series. Shawn lives in Half Moon Bay, California. When he’s not making books, he likes to sing, surf, and play racquetball.

PRAISE FOR FIRST CAT IN SPACE ATE PIZZA: "In full, vivid color, the loose cartoon style exudes an infectious glee, flawlessly matching Barnett’s freewheeling, absurdist humor and plotting.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Readers looking for the outer space high jinks and gentle humor of Brockington’s Catstronauts and the imaginative and fantastical worldbuilding of Andrews’s This Was Our Pact need look no further than this laugh-out-loud tale of the first cat in space."  — School Library Journal (starred review)"The surprisingly earnest themes of friendship and individual purpose combined with the absurd humor should resonate with this audience of readers."  — The Horn Book“A hilarious graphic novel.”  — New York Times"Ridiculously fun and brilliantly illustrated.”  — Dav Pilkey, creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants"Epic lunacy."  — Kirkus Reviews"Funny as a crumpet. (But truly, secretly a hundred times smarter.)"  — Jon Scieszka, author of Caldecott Honor The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and the New York Times bestselling series Frank Einstein"With a perfectly absurd premise, dialogue that demands outlandish accents, and a plot that interweaves global history and complete silliness, Barnett royally nails it."  — Abby Hanlon, author of the Dory Fantasmagory series"Fans will be thrilled to see their favorite characters back in action." — School Library Journal"This volume continues the nonstop madcap fun; returning readers will not be disappointed, and new ones will quickly become avid followers of the world’s first feline astronaut. Fans of unbridled, melodramatic tomfoolery will be over the moon." — Kirkus Reviews"An elaborate and emotionally sincere graphic novel...[a] space-Western whodunit." — Horn Book Magazine"Barnett and Lowery team up again in this second outing of international espionage mystery with royal overtones... this is a nifty mystery for young readers and a worthy sequel to the first."  — Kirkus ReviewsPRAISE FOR MAC UNDERCOVER (MAC B., KID SPY #1): "Barnett and Lowery bring the funny to the serious art of espionage in a perfect interplay of text and illustration...Barnett interweaves tidbits of global history fit for trivia lovers, while Lowery's comic-style images play a key role in the humor...Told with a sense of nostalgia for 1980s history and pop culture, the silliness and originality of this book will hook young readers."  — School Library Journal (starred review)"Barnett takes his readers on a fun-filled ride...Barnett's tone throughout the story is humorous, lighthearted, and a little glib, and the over-the-top story is sure to appeal to many readers...an enjoyable romp that will leave readers salivating for the sequel."  — Kirkus Reviews"[Barnett's] riotous series debut as an adult recalling a 1980s childhood caper...goofy, two-color pictures by Lowery (the Doodle Adventure series) ramp up the silliness of this adventure...which should snare even the most hesitant readers."  — Publishers Weekly"Barnett's knack for both quirky situational humor and heartfelt sentiment work in tandem to create a balanced-while still outrageous-early-chapter-book caper. Lowery's frequent cartoony black, yellow, and blue spot illustrations are integral to the narrative, providing clues to eagle-eyed readers and enhancing the humor."  — The Horn BookBarnett's series falls squarely in line with works from Jon Scieszka's and Dav Pilkey's oeuvres, offering kids another solid choice for what to read next."  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“An understated, reflective, and loving portrayal that also serves as a celebration of wonder and wandering.”  — Horn Book Magazine“This is a frosty little whimsy with enough of an edge, between the hint at reality for the seals and the bear’s snarl at a human interloper, to be interesting, and Barnett deftly wields a tidy, P. D. Eastman-esque structure that immediately attracts listeners.”  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksPRAISE FOR TOP SECRET SMACKDOWN (MAC B., KID SPY #3): "Exciting action sneakily infused with points about the relationship between reality and story, delivered by a narrator who can claim with literal truth that he saved the day "on porpoise."  — Kirkus Reviews"This short chapter book, with a familiar graphic style from previous volumes, does not disappoint. Highly recommended for fans of the series, this title features more of the wacky humor they have come to expect."  — School Library JournalPRAISE FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE CRIME (MAC B., KID SPY #2): "Barnett opens his casebook again-this time to solve a classic locked-room mystery...Almost every page contains Lowery's illustrations, loosely drawn and garishly colored in green and orange, which give the whole affair a zany feel that is much enhanced by the narrative with its running gags. Kudos to a pint-size Poirot, pre-Mustache!"  — Booklist"Barnett's signature dry wit and snappy back-and-forths, particularly between the ingenuously sincere Mac and the standoffish Queen, keep the story steadily moving forward; a convoluted historical account of Colonel Blood's attempted robbery...Lowery's cartoony spot art, in black, green, and orange, provides additional historical and cultural information and frequently supports the narrative."  — The Horn Book"Obvious work of creative joy. A definite winner in the age of Dog Man."  — Booklist"Barnett is cruising comfortably in his usual lane of quirky humor, and Harris matches the absurdity with cleverly composed illustrations that balance visual humor with narrative necessity. Kids who have graduated from Binky the Cat will be delighted to join another furball on intergalactic adventures."  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksPRAISE FOR A POLAR BEAR IN THE SNOW: “Mesmerizing.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“A winning must.”  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Perfect.”  — School Library Journal (starred review)“Succinct . . . yet sophisticated”  — Booklist (starred review)

Mac Barnett is the ninth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. He is a New York Times-bestselling author of more than 60 books for children. His picture books include two Caldecott Honor–winning collaborations with Jon Klassen: Extra Yarn and Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. Mac lives in Oakland, California. His website is macbarnett.com.Shawn Harris is an award-winning author and illustrator of books for kids. His authorial debut Have You Ever Seen A Flower, was called a “stunning tour de force…” by The New York Times, and received a Caldecott Honor, while The Eyes and the Impossible, a #1 New York Times bestseller, written by Dave Eggers, was awarded the John Newbery Medal. The National Museum of Wildlife Art gave Shawn the Bull-Bransom Award, for excellence in the field of children’s book illustration with a focus on nature and wildlife for A Polar Bear in the Snow, by Mac Barnett, with whom he also creates The New York Times bestselling The First Cat In Space graphic novel series. Shawn lives in Half Moon Bay, California. When he’s not making books, he likes to sing, surf, and play racquetball.

PRAISE FOR FIRST CAT IN SPACE ATE PIZZA: "In full, vivid color, the loose cartoon style exudes an infectious glee, flawlessly matching Barnett’s freewheeling, absurdist humor and plotting.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Readers looking for the outer space high jinks and gentle humor of Brockington’s Catstronauts and the imaginative and fantastical worldbuilding of Andrews’s This Was Our Pact need look no further than this laugh-out-loud tale of the first cat in space."  — School Library Journal (starred review)"The surprisingly earnest themes of friendship and individual purpose combined with the absurd humor should resonate with this audience of readers."  — The Horn Book“A hilarious graphic novel.”  — New York Times"Ridiculously fun and brilliantly illustrated.”  — Dav Pilkey, creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants"Epic lunacy."  — Kirkus Reviews"Funny as a crumpet. (But truly, secretly a hundred times smarter.)"  — Jon Scieszka, author of Caldecott Honor The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and the New York Times bestselling series Frank Einstein"With a perfectly absurd premise, dialogue that demands outlandish accents, and a plot that interweaves global history and complete silliness, Barnett royally nails it."  — Abby Hanlon, author of the Dory Fantasmagory series"Fans will be thrilled to see their favorite characters back in action." — School Library Journal"This volume continues the nonstop madcap fun; returning readers will not be disappointed, and new ones will quickly become avid followers of the world’s first feline astronaut. Fans of unbridled, melodramatic tomfoolery will be over the moon." — Kirkus Reviews"An elaborate and emotionally sincere graphic novel...[a] space-Western whodunit." — Horn Book Magazine"Barnett and Lowery team up again in this second outing of international espionage mystery with royal overtones... this is a nifty mystery for young readers and a worthy sequel to the first."  — Kirkus ReviewsPRAISE FOR MAC UNDERCOVER (MAC B., KID SPY #1): "Barnett and Lowery bring the funny to the serious art of espionage in a perfect interplay of text and illustration...Barnett interweaves tidbits of global history fit for trivia lovers, while Lowery's comic-style images play a key role in the humor...Told with a sense of nostalgia for 1980s history and pop culture, the silliness and originality of this book will hook young readers."  — School Library Journal (starred review)"Barnett takes his readers on a fun-filled ride...Barnett's tone throughout the story is humorous, lighthearted, and a little glib, and the over-the-top story is sure to appeal to many readers...an enjoyable romp that will leave readers salivating for the sequel."  — Kirkus Reviews"[Barnett's] riotous series debut as an adult recalling a 1980s childhood caper...goofy, two-color pictures by Lowery (the Doodle Adventure series) ramp up the silliness of this adventure...which should snare even the most hesitant readers."  — Publishers Weekly"Barnett's knack for both quirky situational humor and heartfelt sentiment work in tandem to create a balanced-while still outrageous-early-chapter-book caper. Lowery's frequent cartoony black, yellow, and blue spot illustrations are integral to the narrative, providing clues to eagle-eyed readers and enhancing the humor."  — The Horn BookBarnett's series falls squarely in line with works from Jon Scieszka's and Dav Pilkey's oeuvres, offering kids another solid choice for what to read next."  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“An understated, reflective, and loving portrayal that also serves as a celebration of wonder and wandering.”  — Horn Book Magazine“This is a frosty little whimsy with enough of an edge, between the hint at reality for the seals and the bear’s snarl at a human interloper, to be interesting, and Barnett deftly wields a tidy, P. D. Eastman-esque structure that immediately attracts listeners.”  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksPRAISE FOR TOP SECRET SMACKDOWN (MAC B., KID SPY #3): "Exciting action sneakily infused with points about the relationship between reality and story, delivered by a narrator who can claim with literal truth that he saved the day "on porpoise."  — Kirkus Reviews"This short chapter book, with a familiar graphic style from previous volumes, does not disappoint. Highly recommended for fans of the series, this title features more of the wacky humor they have come to expect."  — School Library JournalPRAISE FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE CRIME (MAC B., KID SPY #2): "Barnett opens his casebook again-this time to solve a classic locked-room mystery...Almost every page contains Lowery's illustrations, loosely drawn and garishly colored in green and orange, which give the whole affair a zany feel that is much enhanced by the narrative with its running gags. Kudos to a pint-size Poirot, pre-Mustache!"  — Booklist"Barnett's signature dry wit and snappy back-and-forths, particularly between the ingenuously sincere Mac and the standoffish Queen, keep the story steadily moving forward; a convoluted historical account of Colonel Blood's attempted robbery...Lowery's cartoony spot art, in black, green, and orange, provides additional historical and cultural information and frequently supports the narrative."  — The Horn Book"Obvious work of creative joy. A definite winner in the age of Dog Man."  — Booklist"Barnett is cruising comfortably in his usual lane of quirky humor, and Harris matches the absurdity with cleverly composed illustrations that balance visual humor with narrative necessity. Kids who have graduated from Binky the Cat will be delighted to join another furball on intergalactic adventures."  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksPRAISE FOR A POLAR BEAR IN THE SNOW: “Mesmerizing.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“A winning must.”  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Perfect.”  — School Library Journal (starred review)“Succinct . . . yet sophisticated”  — Booklist (starred review)