Where to Start with Brendan Wenzel
If you are introducing young readers to Brendan Wenzel’s work, the absolute best starting point is They All Saw a Cat (2016). This Caldecott Honor-winning picture book is the perfect introduction to Wenzel’s artistic philosophy, showing how different creatures—from a mouse to a flea to a child—perceive the exact same feline. It is a simple yet profound exploration of empathy and perspective that serves as the foundation for the rest of his self-authored books.
After starting there, you can choose between his thematic "Cat & Dog" companion trilogy, his biodiversity-focused concept books, or his poetic nature reflections. Wenzel’s books are all standalones, meaning there is no strict chronological plot carrying over between them, but reading them in their thematic groupings or by publication order lets children trace the evolution of his mixed-media art style.
The Perspective Companion Trilogy
While not a traditional narrative series, Wenzel has written and illustrated three specific books that form a thematic trilogy centered on perception, domestic animals, and shared experiences. We recommend reading them in this order:
- They All Saw a Cat (2016) – The book that started it all, exploring how a cat is viewed by a variety of observers, demonstrating that our surroundings look different depending on who is doing the looking.
- Inside Cat (2021) – A companion book that flips the perspective. Here, a housebound cat wanders from window to window, using its imagination to construct a vibrant vision of the outside world based only on what it can see through the glass.
- Two Together (2024) – The third companion book in this loose trilogy features both a cat and a dog taking a walk home together. As they traverse the same path, the book showcases how their individual senses and species-specific traits alter their experiences of the journey, emphasizing shared connection despite different viewpoints.
The Hello Hello Biodiversity & Concept Series
For younger readers, Wenzel created a rhythmically joyful series that teaches basic concepts while highlighting animal conservation. The core picture book has spun off into dedicated board books that target early learning milestones:
- Hello Hello (2018) – The original picture book is a celebration of biodiversity. It links over 90 different animal species in a visual chain based on shared characteristics (shapes, patterns, colors). Many of the featured animals are threatened or endangered, and the backmatter includes a conservation guide.
- Hello Hello Colors (2024) – A companion board book focused on teaching toddlers their colors using Wenzel's signature, high-contrast animal collages.
- Hello Hello Numbers (2025) – A concept counting board book that guides young learners from numbers one through twelve, using diverse creatures to illustrate numerical groups while continuing the series' core theme of wildlife appreciation.
Poetic Nature and Science Reflections
Wenzel has also authored several standalone picture books that focus on ecological systems, time, and the quiet wonders of the natural world. These are best read after his perspective books as they feature more poetic, abstract storytelling:
- A Stone Sat Still (2019) – A sister book to They All Saw a Cat, this story uses a single, unchanging stone to explore how time, weather, and different animals interact with the land. To a snail, the stone is a hill; to an owl, it is a seat. It is a beautiful meditation on environmental constants.
- Every Dreaming Creature (2023) – A lyrical dive into the dreamscapes of different sleeping animals, transitioning seamlessly from a sleeping salamander to an octopus, exploring how different creatures experience their environments even when asleep.
- Good Golden Sun (2025) – A scientific yet poetic exploration of the sun's energy. It follows solar light as it transitions into chemical energy, sustaining plants, insects, animals, and the broader global ecosystem.
Collaborations and Illustrated Works
Before and during his career as an author, Wenzel lent his collage and mixed-media illustration styles to several prominent children’s authors. If you want to explore his collaborative catalog, here is the order of his major illustrated books:
- Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi (2014) – A rhythmic look at the bugs in a backyard, brought to life by Wenzel’s vibrant, textured illustrations.
- Beastly Babies by Ellen Jackson (2015) – A humorous celebration of mischievous baby animals in the wild.
- Some Pets by Angela DiTerlizzi (2016) – The pet-focused follow-up to Some Bugs, showcasing diverse domestic animals.
- Life by Cynthia Rylant (2017) – A poignant, beautifully illustrated book about the resilience and beauty of the natural world.
- Solar Bear by Beth Ferry (2024) – A story exploring the sun, shadows, and the lives of bears under the changing sky.
What to Know Before You Start
Brendan Wenzel's books are highly interactive. Many of his titles feature comprehensive backmatter, glossary keys, or conservation indexes detailing the status of the endangered species illustrated within the pages. When reading books like Hello Hello or Two Together, take time to check the back pages with children to identify the real-world animals and discuss their habitats. Additionally, Wenzel uses a unique mix of charcoal, watercolor, collage, and colored pencils, making his books excellent tools for art education and introducing kids to mixed-media techniques.