Where to Start with Brenda Li’s Whimsical Books
Brenda Li has captured the hearts of parents and children alike with her beautifully illustrated, humorous stories that focus on building resilience, empathy, and a growth mindset. While many of her picture books can easily be read as standalone stories, they are grouped into distinct character-driven series. If you are looking for the absolute best starting point for a child, here is how we recommend diving in:
- For teaching resilience and handling mistakes: Start with The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes. This book introduces children to the idea that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growing.
- For toddlers and preschoolers focusing on everyday habits: Start with Pig in Jeans Fights Germs. It is a lighthearted way to address hygiene and routines.
- For heartwarming family lessons and gratitude: Start with I Turned My Mom Into a Unicorn, which uses fantasy and humor to teach children appreciation.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because Brenda Li writes picture books, there is no strict chronological plotline that carries across different series. You do not need to worry about a complex timeline. However, reading the books within each specific series in their publication order helps children grow alongside the characters as the themes and complexity gently evolve. Reading them in order of release is the most natural way to enjoy her work.
Ted and Friends (Unicorn Series) Books in Order
Featuring a young giraffe named Ted and his magical Unicorn friend, this series explores themes of gratitude, entrepreneurial thinking, persistence, and kindness in a highly relatable way.
- I Turned My Mom Into a Unicorn (2019) – Ted gets annoyed by his mom's requests for chores and turns her into a unicorn, only to realize how much he misses her regular loving care.
- The Unicorn Who Sold Zero Cupcakes? (2019) – A lesson on perseverance and creative problem-solving when Ted and Unicorn try to sell cupcakes and face rejection.
- Unicorn's Slime Rescue (2019) – Ted and Unicorn go on a fun forest adventure playing with slime while learning about empathy and helping others.
Additionally, a new companion release titled I Turned My Dad into a Dinosaur is scheduled to join the series in late 2026, shifting the focus to appreciating fathers.
Pig in Jeans Books in Order
This humorous series follows Brian, a pig who happens to wear blue jeans. The books tackle common preschooler struggles—such as good manners, hygiene, moving, and food preferences—with a playful, gentle touch.
- Pig in Jeans Fights Germs (2020)
- New House, Same Underwear (2020)
- Pig In Jeans Learns Manners (2020)
- I Love You and Cheese Pizza (2021)
A Million Mistakes & Growth Mindset Series in Order
Brenda Li's flagship series focuses on growth mindset, helping children overcome perfectionism, anxiety, and fear of failure.
- The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes (2023) – Follows young Millie as she learns to accept her failures and keep trying.
- The Boy Who Makes a Million Mistakes (2024) – A companion book highlighting resilience from a boy's perspective.
- The Girl Who Has a Million Problems (2025) – Explores problem-solving and dealing with life's daily small frustrations.
- The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes 2: Dance Disaster (2026) – Millie returns to tackle performance anxiety and stage mistakes.
Oopsy Dino Books in Order
Featuring the clumsy but lovable Oopsy Dino, this subseries helps children understand self-acceptance, physical coordination, and emotional resilience.
- Oopsy Dino (2023)
- This Dinosaur Learns Self-Love (2023)
- Oopsy Dino Can't Stop Bumping Into Things (2023)
Concept Books & Standalone Children's Stories
In addition to her recurring characters, Brenda Li has written several standalone concept books designed to ease transitions (like starting school) and reinforce positive values.
- This Is Kindness (2020)
- Being Kind (2020)
- I'm Moving! (2021)
- Fun and Friends in Kindergarten! (2021)
- Woohoo! I'm Ready for Kindergarten! (2021)
- I Lost My Halloween Costume (2022)
What to Know Before You Start
Brenda Li's background is as unique as her books. Before becoming a full-time author-illustrator, she spent years in Hollywood as an award-winning motion graphic designer and visual effects artist, contributing to blockbusters like Transformers 3 and Thor. This cinematic history is evident in her dynamic, bright, and expressive digital illustrations, which she creates entirely on her iPad. Her work is frequently compared to children's favorites like Mo Willems and Dr. Seuss due to its high visual appeal and conversational storytelling style.
For parents looking for adult humor, Brenda Li also authored a parenting comic book titled Parenting - You Will Never Pee Alone Again (2018), which details the funny, chaotic realities of raising kids based on her popular parenting webcomics, Summer and Muu.