Dashka Slater Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Dashka Slater

Because Dashka Slater is a highly versatile author who writes across completely different age groups and genres, the best place to start depends entirely on who is reading. Here is the recommended path for each reader profile:

• For Picture Book Readers (Ages 3-7): Start with Escargot (2017). This delightful story about a charming, picky French snail is Slater's most famous children's book and marks the beginning of a beloved five-book series.
• For Middle-Grade Readers (Ages 8-12): Start with The Book of Fatal Errors (2020), which kicks off The Feylawn Chronicles, an imaginative urban fantasy duology filled with magical creatures called feylings, mystery, and family secrets.
• For Young Adults and Adults: Start with the award-winning bestseller The 57 Bus (2017). This gripping narrative nonfiction account of a real-life hate crime in Oakland is a masterful exploration of race, gender, class, and restorative justice. It serves as the perfect introduction to Slater's empathetic and journalistic style.

The Escargot Picture Book Series

The Escargot series is a collection of interactive picture books illustrated by Sydney Hanson. The books follow a French snail who talks directly to the reader, making them fantastic read-aloud choices. While they can be enjoyed as standalones, reading them in publication order lets children watch Escargot take on new milestones. Here is the recommended reading order:

1. Escargot (2017) – Readers meet Escargot as he makes his way toward a delicious salad at the end of the book, overcoming his fear of carrots and trying to convince the reader that snails are the best animals.
2. A Book for Escargot (2020) – Escargot is excited to be inside a book but is disappointed to discover there are no snails in the story, leading him on a quest to write his own adventure.
3. Love, Escargot (2022) – Escargot attends a soirée to meet his new French snail friend, Monique, which teaches young readers about friendship, shyness, and sharing.
4. Escargot and the Search for Spring (2024) – Escargot wakes up from hibernation eager to find the beautiful spring flowers, only to navigate the lingering snow and changing seasons.
5. Good Night, Escargot (2026) – In this cozy bedtime installment, Escargot goes through his elaborate evening routine, trying to find the perfect place to sleep.

The Feylawn Chronicles (Middle-Grade Fantasy)

For middle-grade readers, Slater created a two-book fantasy adventure featuring twelve-year-old Rufus Takada Collins. This series must be read in order due to an ongoing storyline involving family mysteries and magical entities:

1. The Book of Fatal Errors (2020) – Rufus is sent to his grandfather's mysterious homestead, Feylawn, where he accidentally breaks a magical boundary, letting loose mischievous fairy-like creatures called feylings and unleashing a chain of magical mishaps.
2. The Book of Stolen Time (2022) – Rufus and his cousin Abigail return to Feylawn to fix the consequences of their previous mistakes, embarking on an adventure that involves time travel, ancient history, and rescuing their family.

Acclaimed Narrative Nonfiction (Young Adult & Adult)

Slater's work as an investigative journalist shines in her narrative nonfiction. These books are standalones but share a deep focus on contemporary social issues, empathy, and accountability. They are best suited for teenagers and adults:

• The 57 Bus (2017) – This true-crime narrative tells the story of Sasha, an agender high school student, and Richard, a Black teenager who set Sasha's skirt on fire on an Oakland bus. The book explores the complex aftermath, the legal system, and the possibilities of restorative justice.
• Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives (2023) – Slater investigates a private, racist Instagram account created by a high school student in a small California town, tracing the devastating fallout for the victims, the community, and the creators of the account.

Standalone Picture Books and Other Works

Aside from her major series, Slater has written several highly praised standalone picture books and adult works. These can be read in any order:

• The Wishing Box (2000) – Slater's debut adult novel is a whimsical yet poignant story of family dynamics, grief, and magic realism.
• Lights, Camera, Alcatraz (2005) – A fascinating nonfiction work examining how Hollywood and media culture have shaped the public perception of Alcatraz Island.
• Baby Shoes (2006) – A simple, sweet picture book tracking a toddler's busy day through the dirt, mud, and grass on his shoes.
• Firefighters in the Dark (2006) – A creative picture book about a young boy's imaginative nighttime thoughts of firefighting.
• The Sea Serpent and Me (2008) – A touching story of a young girl who finds a tiny sea serpent in her bathtub and helps him grow.
• Dangerously Ever After (2012) – A playful twist on fairy tales starring Amanita, a princess who prefers thorns and danger to sweet roses.
• The Antlered Ship (2017) – A beautifully illustrated story of a curious fox named Marco who sets sail with a crew of deer to find answers to life's big questions.
• Wild Blue: Taming a Big-Kid Bike (2023) – An imaginative picture book that compares learning to ride a two-wheeled bicycle to taming a wild, blue stallion.