Where to Start with Alex T. Smith
Alex T. Smith's books are famous for their whimsical characters, humor, and distinctive illustration style. Because almost all of his books are episodic, you can generally jump in anywhere without getting lost. However, starting with the first book in each series is the best way to watch characters grow and appreciate recurring jokes.
For the youngest readers (ages 5 to 7), the best place to start is the Claude series, starting with Claude in the City, or the cosmic adventure series Astrid and the Space Cadets. For slightly older readers (ages 6 to 9) who enjoy detective work and mystery, Mr. Penguin is the perfect starting point.
The Claude Series Reading Order
Claude is a small, plump dog who wears a red beret and goes on extraordinary adventures with his sidekick, Sir Bobblysock (who is, literally, a dirty, bobbly sock). The books are illustrated in a chic, limited palette of black, white, and red. They function perfectly as standalones, but the publication order is the most satisfying way to read them.
Claude Books in Publication Order
- Claude in the City (2011) – Claude and Sir Bobblysock visit the city, walk dogs, and catch a robber.
- Claude on Holiday (2011) – Claude goes to the beach, protects others from sharks, and searches for treasure.
- Claude at the Circus (2012) – Claude helps out when the circus stars get injured.
- Claude in the Country (2012) – Claude visits a farm and deals with a runaway pig.
- Claude in the Spotlight (2013) – Claude joins a theater production and solves a spooky mystery.
- Claude on the Slopes (2013) – A winter adventure where Claude saves a town from an avalanche.
- Claude: Lights! Camera! Action! (2015) – Claude gets involved in a movie shoot.
- Claude on the Big Screen (2015) – Another cinema-themed escapade.
- Claude Going for Gold! (2016) – Claude enters a sports competition and thwarts a thief.
- Claude All At Sea (2016) – Claude and Sir Bobblysock sail out into the ocean.
- Claude in the Country (2016) – Further adventures in rural settings.
- Santa Claude (2016) – Claude accidentally causes trouble for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.
- Claude: Best in Show (2019) – A special World Book Day title where Claude enters a dog show.
- All About Keith (2019) – A spin-off story centering on Keith.
- Claude Comic Capers (2020) – A graphic-novel format collection of Claude's adventures.
- Camp Claude (2020) – Claude experiences summer camp.
- Claude Dream Bun (2020) – A pastry-themed story.
- Claude at the Palace (2021) – Claude visits the royal residence to save the day.
The Mr. Penguin Series Reading Order
For readers who want slightly more text and a touch of mystery, the Mr. Penguin series is a fantastic choice. Often described as "Indiana Jones meets Hercule Poirot," the series follows the dapper detective Mr. Penguin and his silent, kung-fu-fighting spider sidekick, Colin. These books feature bold orange-and-black illustrations.
Mr. Penguin Books in Publication Order
- Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure (2017) – Mr. Penguin takes his first case, searching for treasure in a museum.
- Mr. Penguin and the Fortress of Secrets (2018) – The duo investigates a mysterious fortress in snowy mountains.
- Mr. Penguin and the Catastrophic Cruise (2019) – A mystery aboard a luxury cruise liner.
- Mr. Penguin and the Tomb of Doom (2021) – A desert adventure packed with ancient traps and secrets.
The Winston Series (Advent Books)
The Winston series is unique: these are festive, cozy stories designed to be read as an advent calendar, featuring 24-and-a-half chapters (one for each day of December leading up to Christmas). Each chapter is accompanied by holiday activities, recipes, or crafts.
Winston Books in Order
- How Winston Delivered Christmas (2018) – A little mouse named Winston finds a lost letter to Father Christmas and goes on a journey to deliver it.
- How Winston Came Home for Christmas (2021) – Winston sets off on a global journey to solve a personal mystery.
- How Winston Delivered a Christmas Wish (2026) – Winston travels to snowy New York to help an elderly tortoise.
Astrid and the Space Cadets
This early-reader series follows Astrid Atomic, her friends, and their spaceship, the Stardust, on wild intergalactic rescue missions. It is perfect for children transitioning from picture books to early chapter books.
Astrid Books in Publication Order
- Attack of the Snailiens! (2024) – Astrid is tasked with saving the Milky Way from slime-covered space snails.
- Race from Planet Peril! (2024) – An action-packed cosmic race.
- Danger at the Black Lagoon! (2025) – An underwater-style space mission.
- Calamity on Planet Shivers! (2026) – A frosty intergalactic rescue mission.
Foxy Tales Series (with Caryl Hart)
Co-authored by Caryl Hart and illustrated by Alex T. Smith, the Foxy Tales books are spin-offs of characters originally introduced in Smith's picture books Foxy and Egg and Catch Us If You Can-Can!.
Foxy Tales Books in Publication Order
- The Cunning Plan (2014) – Foxy DuBois and Alphonso the alligator hatch a scheme to get rich quick.
- The Road to Fame and Fortune (2014) – The duo tries to become famous stars in the city.
- The Great Jail Break (2015) – A hilarious jailbreak adventure.
What to Know Before You Start
Alex T. Smith's books are highly visual. A hallmark of his work is the deliberate color palette chosen for each series. For example, Claude's world is drawn entirely in shades of black, red, and white, giving it a classic, retro-cartoon feel. Mr. Penguin relies on black, white, and neon orange, while Astrid and the Space Cadets bursts with full-color sci-fi hues. Additionally, the Claude series was adapted into an animated TV show on Disney Junior, which is a great companion watch for young readers.