How to Read the Magic Bone Series
The Magic Bone series, written by Nancy Krulik and illustrated by Sebastien Braun, is a delightful children's fantasy franchise. Designed for early readers, it follows the globe-trotting escapades of Sparky, a lovable sheepdog puppy who discovers a magical bone that transports him to different destinations around the world. Because each book stands alone as a self-contained travel adventure, readers can easily jump in anywhere. However, following the publication order is the most rewarding path, allowing young readers to watch Sparky grow from a backyard digger into a seasoned world traveler.
Where to Start: The Perfect Entry Point
To get the most out of the series, readers should start with Be Careful What You Sniff For. This debut installment introduces Sparky, his backyard, and the fateful moment he digs up the magical bone that first whisks him away to London, England. Starting here establishes the magic system of the bone, Sparky's hyperactive personality, and the setup of his return home. If you cannot find the first book, Catch That Wave (Hawaii) or Follow That Furball (Rome) are excellent alternative entry points.
The Complete Magic Bone Book List in Order
Here is the complete list of Sparky's adventures in the recommended reading order. This order aligns with the series' publication timeline and documents the unique international destinations Sparky visits in each installment:
- Book 1: Be Careful What You Sniff For (2013) – Sparky digs up the magic bone and is transported to London, England, where he explores Buckingham Palace and tries to avoid the local dogcatcher.
- Book 2: Catch That Wave (2013) – The magic bone whisks Sparky to the sunny beaches of Maui, Hawaii, for a surfing adventure filled with local treats.
- Book 3: Follow That Furball (2013) – Sparky lands in Rome, Italy, where he romps through ancient ruins, eats pizza crusts, and meets a pack of local dogs.
- Book 4: Nice Snowing You! (2014) – Sparky finds himself in the freezing alpine climate of Zermatt, Switzerland, where he teams up with a Saint Bernard named Lena to help with a mountain rescue.
- Book 5: Go Fetch! (2014) – A trip to the United States capital, Washington, D.C., has Sparky exploring landmarks like the White House and the Washington Monument.
- Book 6: Don't Mess with the Ninja Puppy! (2014) – Sparky is transported to Tokyo, Japan, where he visits a sushi restaurant and learns about sumo wrestling from a local Shiba Inu.
- Book 7: Dogs Don't Have Webbed Feet (2015) – The magic bone blasts Sparky into the heart of the Amazon Rain Forest in Brazil, where he meets exotic jungle wildlife.
- Book 8: Rootin' Tootin' Cow Dog (2015) – Whisked away to a Texas rodeo, Sparky gets a taste of ranch life and tries his paw at herding livestock.
- Book 9: Pup Art (2015) – Sparky travels to Paris, France, where he runs through famous art museums, makes friends with a French bulldog, and gets messy with canvas paints.
- Book 10: Broadway Doggie (2016) – Sparky visits New York City, wandering through the bright lights of Times Square and ending up on a Broadway stage.
- Book 11: Super Special: Two Tales, One Dog (2016) – In this double-adventure special, Sparky's bone first sends him to the Serengeti in Tanzania to help a pack of wild dogs, and then to India, where he encounters a magic lamp.
- Book 12: Never Box with a Kangaroo (2016) – Sparky is transported to Kangaroo Island, Australia, where he meets kangaroos, koalas, and other unique wildlife.
Chronological vs. Publication Order
There are no complicated timeline jumps in the Magic Bone series. Chronological order is identical to publication order. The only minor listing variations involve the final two books. While some retailers list the Super Special: Two Tales, One Dog as the 12th book because it was published in October 2016 (after June 2016's Never Box with a Kangaroo), local database archives and select editions structure the double-length Super Special as Book 11. Regardless of this numbering swap, both books function perfectly as late-series standalone stories.
What to Know Before You Start
Nancy Krulik, a bestselling children's author with over 200 books, designed the series to be both entertaining and quietly educational. Each book features a "Fun Facts" section at the end, offering parents, teachers, and kids real-world information about the animals, languages, landmarks, and geography of the featured countries. Combined with Sebastien Braun's expressive black-and-white illustrations, the series is highly recommended for reluctant readers, particularly in grades 1 through 3 (ages 7 to 10).
Companion and Read-Alike Series
If your young reader finishes Sparky's adventures and wants more, Nancy Krulik has several other popular series that share a similar humorous, fast-paced tone. The most notable are Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo and its spin-off George Brown, Class Clown. These series similarly blend early chapter-book comedy with light fantasy elements, making them a natural next step for fans of Sparky and his magic bone.