Dan Santat Books in Order

Where to Start with Dan Santat

For most readers, the best entry point into Dan Santat's catalog depends entirely on age group and format preference. If you are reading with younger children, start with his Caldecott Medal-winning masterpiece, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (2014). It perfectly captures Santat's signature style: emotionally resonant storytelling paired with vibrant, detailed illustrations.

For independent readers ready for graphic novels, the ideal starting point is Sidekicks (2011). This action-packed, humorous adventure about superhero pets showcases his transition into sequential graphic art and establishes a universe that readers can follow into his newer releases.

For middle-grade and young adult readers looking for something deeper, start with his National Book Award-winning graphic memoir, A First Time for Everything (2023). This coming-of-age story is highly accessible, humorous, and provides excellent context for his overall artistic style and personal inspiration.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Reading

Because the vast majority of Dan Santat's books are standalone stories, reading them in publication order is the standard path. However, there is a fun chronological alternative when looking at his graphic novels and memoir:

1. A First Time for Everything (2023): Although published recently, this graphic memoir takes place during Santat's middle school years in the late 1980s. Reading this first gives you a chronological look at the author's real-life childhood before experiencing his fictional creations.
2. The Guild of Geniuses (2004): Santat's official debut children's book. Reading this early allows you to see how his art style and thematic elements first developed.
3. Sidekicks (2011) & Thick as Thieves (2026): These form a direct fictional timeline. Read them in sequence to follow the adventures of Captain Amazing's heroic pets.
4. The Aquanaut (2022): A standalone fictional graphic novel that deals with loss, family legacy, and marine life.

The Sidekicks and Thick as Thieves Duology

For years, Sidekicks was a beloved standalone graphic novel about a group of domestic pets training to become the new sidekicks for their aging superhero owner. In early 2026, Santat finally released the long-awaited sequel, Thick as Thieves. To get the complete narrative arc, you should read these two in exact order:

• Sidekicks (2011): Introduces the pets (Roscoe, Fluffington, Shifty, and Manny) as they try to prove their worth to Captain Amazing.
• Thick as Thieves (2026): Follows the pet heroes on a new caper that tests their bonds of friendship and teamwork.

Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! Contributions

Dan Santat was invited by Mo Willems to contribute to the popular early reader spin-off series, Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!. While there are many books in this collection written by various authors, Santat wrote and illustrated two specific entries that fit into his bibliography:

• The Cookie Fiasco (2016): The very first book in the spin-off series. It uses humor and a group of nervous characters trying to divide four cookies among three friends to introduce basic division concepts.
• Harold & Hog Pretend For Real! (2019): The sixth book in the series, featuring a pig and an elephant who try to pretend to be Gerald and Piggie, only to realize their personalities are completely opposite to their idols.

Both of these books can be read completely independently of the main *Elephant & Piggie* series, though familiarity with Mo Willems' characters makes the framing sequences even more enjoyable.

Collaborative Series: Fluffy Bunnies

Before his solo graphic novel success, Dan Santat collaborated with author Andrea Beaty to illustrate the hilarious Fluffy Bunnies series. These illustrated chapter books are perfect for readers transitioning from picture books to longer stories. Read them in publication order:

1. Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies (2010)
2. Fluffy Bunnies 2: The Schnoz of Doom (2015)

Dan Santat's Solo Standalone Picture Books

If you prefer to browse Santat's picture books without worrying about sequels or continuity, these titles can be read in any order. Each offers a self-contained story packed with heart:

• The Guild of Geniuses (2004): A story about friendship, creativity, and a scientist trying to cheer up his monkey friend. Note that while some databases list a reprint year of 2015, the original release was in 2004.
• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (2014): A beautiful tale about an imaginary friend who takes a brave journey to find his real-world child.
• Are We There Yet? (2016): A playful concept book about time travel, imagination, and the universal dread of long road trips.
• After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again (2017): A brilliant epilogue to the classic nursery rhyme that focuses on overcoming fear and anxiety after a traumatic event.

What to Know Before You Start

Dan Santat's works often blend high-energy cartoon illustrations with deeply touching themes such as resilience, self-discovery, and emotional vulnerability. When introducing these books to young readers, it is helpful to know that books like After the Fall deal gently with anxiety, while A First Time for Everything captures the authentic awkwardness and social anxieties of middle school. They serve as excellent conversation starters for families and classrooms.