Beth Ferry Books in Order

Where to Begin: The Perfect Entry Points

Beth Ferry has established herself as one of the most delightful voices in modern children's literature. Known for her lyrical rhymes, playful wordplay, and deep themes of empathy and friendship, her books appeal to multiple reading levels. Because her bibliography spans both traditional read-aloud picture books and early graphic novels, the best place to start depends heavily on the reader's age and experience.

For the youngest readers (toddlers through preschool), the clear starting point is Stick and Stone (2015). This beloved picture book features rhythmic text and a simple story of two unlikely friends standing up to bullying. For emerging readers who are ready for independent reading (typically ages 6 to 9), Fox & Rabbit (2020) serves as the perfect introduction to graphic novels. If your young readers love ocean themes and character-driven humor, starting with the Crab and Snail series via The Invisible Whale (2022) is another excellent choice.

The Stick and Stone Universe

What started as a single, standalone picture book about a stick and a stone has grown into a beloved multi-format franchise. However, readers should note that the series is split into two distinct reading formats:

1. The Core Picture Books

Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, these are classic picture books designed for reading aloud. They follow a rhyming structure and focus on foundational emotional themes like finding friendship and sticking together.

• Stick and Stone (2015)
• Best Friends Forever! (2021)

2. The Graphic Novel Companions

Illustrated by Kristen Cella, these books transition the characters into a graphic novel format with speech bubbles and panel layouts. These are geared toward early readers who want to practice solo reading with familiar characters.

• Stick and Stone Explore and More (2022)
• Stick and Stone on the Go (2023)

While publication order is the most logical route, there is no strict continuity between these books. Emerging readers can safely transition from the picture books directly into the graphic novels at any time.

Fox & Rabbit Series

Collaborating with the famous puzzle artist and illustrator Gergely Dudás (often known online as Dudolf), Beth Ferry created the Fox & Rabbit graphic novel series. These books are divided into short, episodic chapters that capture the small, everyday discoveries of two best friends. Because the character relationships build slightly across the series, reading them in order of publication is highly recommended:

1. Fox & Rabbit (2020)
2. Fox & Rabbit Make Believe (2020)
3. Fox & Rabbit Celebrate (2021)

Crab and Snail Series

Illustrated by Jared Chapman, the Crab and Snail books are humorous graphic novels that take place in a vibrant marine environment. The series follows a nervous crab and an optimistic snail as they explore their tidal pool and face small, comical dilemmas. While each book functions as a standalone adventure, reading them in order helps readers appreciate the recurring sea creature cast:

1. The Invisible Whale (2022)
2. The Tidal Pool of Cool (2022)
3. The Evil Eel (2023)

Beth Ferry's Standalone Picture Books

In addition to her multi-book series, Ferry is celebrated for her standalone picture books, which pair her distinct writing style with a variety of award-winning illustrators. These books do not require any reading order and can be enjoyed independently. A few of her most notable standalones include:

• Land Shark (2015, illustrated by Ben Mantle): A hilarious tale about a boy who wants a shark for his birthday but gets a puppy instead.
• Pirate's Perfect Pet (2016, illustrated by Matt Myers): A humorous quest following Captain Crave as he searches for a pet that fits his pirate lifestyle.
• Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish (2019, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld): A festive, guide-style picture book mapping out the essential "rules" for making a birthday wish.
• The Scarecrow (2019, illustrated by the Fan Brothers): A poignant, deeply emotional story about a lonely scarecrow who rescues and raises a fallen baby crow.
• Swashby and the Sea (2020, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal): A heartwarming tale about a retired captain whose life of solitude is gently disrupted by the playful sea and a new neighbor.
• No Nibbling! (2022, illustrated by A.N. Kang): A clever, wordplay-heavy story about a garden goat and a bunny learning to share.
• The Christmassy Cactus (2023, illustrated by A.N. Kang): A tender holiday story of a tiny cactus seeking a little seasonal magic.
• Roar for Reading (2024, illustrated by Andrew Joyner): An inspiring picture book starring Julius the lion, addressing intellectual freedom and the joy of reading.

Complete Publication Order Checklist

If you prefer to read through Beth Ferry's complete body of work in the order she wrote them, follow this chronological list of all her books:

• Land Shark (2015)
• Stick and Stone (2015)
• Pirate's Perfect Pet (2016)
• A Small Blue Whale (2017)
• Sealed with a Kiss (2019)
• Squirrel's Family Tree (2019)
• Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish (2019)
• The Scarecrow (2019)
• Caveboy Crush (2019)
• Fox & Rabbit (2020)
• Fox & Rabbit Make Believe (2020)
• The Bold, Brave Bunny (2020)
• We Believe in You (2020)
• Swashby and the Sea (2020)
• Disney The One and Only Ivan: Draw Me a Story (2020)
• Tea Time (2021)
• Marsha Is Magnetic (2021)
• The Nice Dream Truck (2021)
• Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever! (2021)
• Fox & Rabbit Celebrate (2021)
• The Invisible Whale [Crab and Snail #1] (2022)
• The Tidal Pool of Cool [Crab and Snail #2] (2022)
• Stick and Stone Explore and More (2022)
• No Nibbling! (2022)
• Stick and Stone on the Go (2023)
• The Evil Eel [Crab and Snail #3] (2023)
• The Christmassy Cactus (2023)
• Roar for Reading (2024)