Tara Lazar – författare

*"This amusing picture book is fun for reading aloud." --Booklist (starred review) From Pete Oswald, New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Bad Seed series, and Tara Lazar, critically acclaimed author of 7 Ate 9, comes Flat Cat, the story of a cool cat who learns that sometimes life is about finding the best of both worlds. "Whimsy, wonder, and wacky humor in just the right proportions." --GeekMomFlat Cat was born flat. He wasn't squashed by an out-of-control ice cream truck, or smushed in a waffle iron. He was just flat. This slick, sly cat could stray and roam anywhere he pleased, keen and unseen. And wouldn't you know it, Flat Cat liked it just like that.That is until one day, when Flat Cat accidentally fell splish splosh right in the wash. And when he emerged from the dryer, Flat Cat wasn't flat at all. He was adorably puffy and downright fluffy! And Flat Cat wasn’t sure how he felt about that.From acclaimed author Tara Lazar and brought to life by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, this is a hilariously quirky and irreverent story that is sure to appeal to fans of Pete the Cat!Praise for Flat Cat:A 2025-2026 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award winnerA 2025 Washington Children's Choice Book Award nominee "Lazar’s wryly humorous tale won’t leave young audiences flat, while Oswald’s purple-tinged cartoon depictions of this Flat Stanley–style feline add their share of giggles (as usual). A hilarious reminder that versatility will have you feline fine." --Kirkus reviews"Featuring groovy text, it’s a Flat Stanley-flavored take on rolling with the punches and fluidly embracing newfound facets and friends." --Publishers Weekly"Perfect for cat lovers who wonder how their feline escape artists seemingly walk through doors." --BCCB

From the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Big Cheese, Pete Oswald, and critically acclaimed author of 7 Ate 9 and Bloop, Tara Lazar, comes a back-to-school adventure for Flat Cat!Flat Cat was born flat. He wasn't squashed under the lunch lady's rolling pin. He wasn't smushed by an avalanche of library books. He was just flat. And most of the time, Flat Cat liked it just like that. Until one day, when Flat Cat, in the mood for a change of scenery, slips into his friend Willow's backpack and accompanies her to school, where he gets folded into a paper airplane, passed as a secret note, and used as a bathroom pass. Will Flat Cat be able to escape the chaos? Or will he realize he is keen to be loved and adored?From acclaimed author Tara Lazar and brought to life by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, this is a hilariously quirky and irreverent story that is sure to appeal to fans of Pete the Cat!Praise for Flat Cat:*"This amusing picture book is fun for reading aloud." --Booklist (starred review) on Flat Cat"Whimsy, wonder, and wacky humor in just the right proportions." --GeekMom on Flat Cat"An amusing and memorable story for cat ­lovers." --School Library Journal on Flat Cat: The Class Pet"Perfect for cat lovers who wonder how their feline escape artists seemingly walk through doors." --BCCB on Flat Cat

In the colorful and letter-filled Capital City, there's never a moment's rest for Private I, the city's best investigator. Trouble seems to always have a way of finding him-trouble with a capital T. On this particular day, T tells Private I that his watch is missing. And T isn't alone-the citizens of Capital City have lost track of timepieces all over town! Can Private I catch the perp and make up for lost time before it's too late?

Just when Private I thinks all is calm-now that he's cracked the case of 7 Ate 9-Question Mark storms into the office.Mark is worried. All the uppercase letters are M-I-S-S-I-N-G! But that's absurd. This is CAPITAL City!Private I is the last letter standing. Will he solve his BIGGEST mystery yet, the UPPER CASE, before it's too late?!Filled with the same humor, wit, and quirkiness of the hit 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, comes another laugh-out-loud whodunit.

Any time is party time with the Party Animals! A delightful picture book that is equal parts silly and thoughtful, perfect for read-aloud parties and library-going parties and learning-to-be-friends parties.Meet Beatrix, Theodore, and Phoebe: the Party Animals!They can make a party out of anything.Sour milk? PARTY!Hole in your pants? PARTY!Now meet Horace. He’s a party pooper. “You can’t have so many parties!” he says.SCREEEECH.Could Horace be right?Join the Party Animals in this whimsical celebration of friendship and empathy.