publications
2024
Arlo Needs Glasses
Created by Barney Saltzberg, the bespectacled author of the bestselling title Beautiful Oops!, Arlo Needs Glasses is an inventive and reassuring story that gets it. Readers will follow along with Arlo as he does all the big firsts involved in getting glasses—visit a doctor, get tested on an eye chart, look through the phoropter. And then the fun part—choosing frames! What should Arlo get? Movie star glasses? Superhero glasses? Classic frames that never go out of style?
Originally published as an interactive novelty book, Arlo Needs Glasses is as necessary and inspiring as ever: Arlo puts on his new glasses and look–now he can catch again. Glasses rock!
2024
The Smell of Wet Dog
Equal parts heart-melting and stinky, The Smell of Wet Dog is a must-have illustrated poetry book for every young canine fan.
The smell of wet dog is not a good smell.
When a dog is wet it’s easy to tell.
Imagine moose and skunk perfume.
An odiferous stench, a paint-peeling plume.
Beloved author and illustrator Barney Saltzberg offers up twenty-seven poems on the evergreen topic of human’s best friend. Many have all the humor of a Shel Silverstein classic. Others are unexpectedly poignant, about separation anxiety or older dogs growing less spry. All are accompanied by Saltzberg’s lively and loveable artwork.
Whether you are a dog lover, love a dog lover, or are simply dog-curious, The Smell of Wet Dog is for someone in your life. One thing’s for sure: You’ll leave this book inspired to write an ode to a furry friend of your own!
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
2023
We Are Expecting You
This sweet, lyrical read-aloud shares all the love young siblings feel as they count down the days to their new baby’s arrival! Following an adorable young elephant sibling who shares the boundless love and excitement for this soon-to-be new family member, this is a touching tribute to the most special relationship siblings have. Told with Barney Saltzberg’s vibrant, bold artwork and playfully tender text, this book is perfect for expectant families eagerly anticipating the BIG DAY.
2023
A Delicious Story
"You ate the story?" says one mouse to the other in this funny, heartfelt read-aloud with pitch-perfect repartee and Barney Saltzberg's signature take on the joys of creativity.
Two mice--one big and one small--have a terrible problem. Little Mouse is looking for a story--they're in a book, after all!--and Big Mouse has to admit the truth. The story is gone. And (gasp!) he ate it. That is not okay with Little Mouse, who is all ready to hear a story and will settle for nothing less. Saltzberg's improvisational dialogue showcases both the patience required of true creativity and the dazzling on-the-spot storytelling that can happen when you get in the flow. In the end, these endearing mice work out their conflict-- and make the reader realize that they've been delivering a story all along. Parents and children will want to take this satisfying comedic journey together again and again.
2022
What Do You See? A Conversation In Pictures
How creatively do you see things? She took photographs of things she loved and sent them to him. He drew pictures on her photographs of things he saw and sent them back to her. Real-life friends Barney Saltzberg and Jamie Lee Curtis share their fun, funny, and imaginative creations.
2017
Chengdu Can Do
Chengdu can do many things all by himself. He can get down from his branch, and he can look for breakfast. Chengdu can jump, he can push, and he can pull. He can climb, he can stretch, and he can swing. But sometimes even the most capable young panda could use a little help. Independent-minded toddlers will love following along as the determined Chengdu reaches for his goal of some tasty leaves. The gentle text is a delight to hear read aloud, and a variety of fold-out pages add to the fun.
2017
Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep
High in his bamboo tree, a young panda named Chengdu lies awake while everyone around him is sleeping. No matter what he tries, he cannot fall asleep. He turns and he tosses. He scrunches and he rolls. He even hangs upside down. Finally he climbs up and up and up, until he finds the perfect spot atop his brother. Panda pile!
2017
Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC: A Mixed-up, Mashed-up Melody
Veteran children's book author and singer/ songwriter Barney Saltzberg has created a classic sing-aloud book with enduring appeal! Though "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "The Alphabet Song" follow the same exact tune, never before has a children's book mashed up these two quintessential songs of childhood. The lyrics are seamlessly woven together and enriched with cameos by high-flying birds, a twirling cow, a growling bear, a banjo, and a tree swaying in the wind. Benaglia's whimsical art brings a Seussian feel and a visual narrative that leads the reader right... into... bed.
2017
My Book of Beautiful Oops!
A hands-on journal that’s meant to be personalized—drawn in, painted on, torn up, smudged, or otherwise artistically wrecked. My Beautiful Book of Oops! champions imagination, play, and the courage to express oneself. It’s about self-forgiveness, about turning off that inner critic that clamors for perfection. And it’s about freedom—the freedom to be creative and follow your curiosity wherever it goes. That’s a lesson to celebrate.
2016
Hug This Book!
Expertly whimsical illustrations accompany this rhyming celebration of the printed book, and the attachment many of us all feel to our very favourites. The imaginative humour is balanced by earnest devotion, traits to which the young audience will relate. A sure-to-be favourite, this title will draw giggles and snuggles ... with the book itself!
2015
Redbird: Friends Come in Different Sizes
In Friends Come in Different Sizes, Barney introduces readers to all his delightful friends—some who are tall and some who are taller, and some who are small and some who are smaller. Friends can be SHORT. Friends can be LONG. Doesn’t matter what they look like . . . Friends all get along!
2015
Redbird: Colors, Colors, Everywhere!
In Colors, Colors, Everywhere!, Redbird tries to pick his favorite color—is it red like him, blue like the sky, or yellow like the sun? Finally, he concludes: Colors, colors, everywhere! It’s hard to really choose. . . . It’s hard to really know! And that’s the reason why I love . . . the colors of the rainbow!
Book Trailers
One Of These Is Not Like The Other
My Book of Beautiful Oops
RedBIRD Friends Come in Different Sizes by Barney Saltzberg
out of print
1996
Two for Stew
A woman customer arrives at a restaurant, dreaming of a plate of the establishment's world-famous stew, but since a busload of Spanish tourists has just finished the last bit of stew, she must persuade the reluctant waiter to find someone to whip up a new batch, in a wacky tale in verse.
1998
The Flying Garbanzos
It's Beanie Garbanzo's second birthday, and he has only one thing on his mind: cake! After his sister and brother are sent to fetch it, the cake (which sports wings) takes off. A hair-raising cake chase ensues with Beanie, sister Ima, brother Jake, and pet monkey Harry that leaves readers guessing what Beanie will do when he finally gets his cake. Vibrant, eye-catching art makes this delicious picture book a delight for parents to share with toddlers and older siblings alike.
2000
There's A Zoo in Room 22
The kids in Miss Darling's class are very lucky--what other classroom has its own alphabet zoo? There's always an animal adventure unfolding in Room 22, with an Anaconda for lounging, a lunch-stealing Lemur, a Moose to hang coats, a Yak that kisses, and a Zorilla with fumes (pee-ewwww!). From the author of the bestselling Antarctic Antics: A Book of Penguin Poems comes another collection of delightfully playful poems. Every kid will want to join this class!
2000
Soccer Mom from Outer Space
The night before Lena’s first soccer game of the season, her father, Ruben Drinkwater, tells her the amazing story of his own first season playing soccer. His mom was like any ordinary parent watching the Atomic Pickles play. But soon, she began to act very differently–she started to look like a pickle, and she started to roar in a very loud voice when the team was scoring goals. In fact, she turned into an alien! Ruben spied on her at home, but she seemed to turn into an alien only during soccer games. Finally, he confronted her and asked her to act like all the other parents. That’s when they discovered how much Mrs. Drinkwater’s cheering meant to the team–especially to the parents, who took up where her cheerleading left off and renewed the whole team’s spirit for the game.
2001
The Problem with Pumpkins: A Hip and Hop Story
Hip and Hop are not speaking, thanks to a big, round, orange problem--both really want to be pumpkins for Halloween. But bossy Hop says they can’t have the same costume. To make matters worse, it’s raining outside, so there will be no trick-or-treaters . . . and no candy! Halloween is ruined, unless this quirky hippo and rabbit duo can find a way to save the holiday--together. The award-winning creator of Animal Kisses launches a new series about an exuberant hippo and a persnickety rabbit who prove that best friends come in all shapes and sizes!
2001
Baby Animal Kisses
What kind of kisses do you like best? Do you like to share wrinkly elephant calf kisses? How about bumpy alligator hatchling kisses? In this adorable companion to the award-winning Animal Kisses, mamas, daddies, and babies everywhere can pucker up for more smooching. Join the fuzzy, feathery, family fun!
2002
Hip, Hip, Hooray Day!
Hip knows exactly what she wants for her birthday--a trip to the Royal Roller Rink. She leaves hints everywhere so that her best friend, Hop, can't possibly go wrong with her gift. Or can he? When Hop surprises Hip with disappointing presents--including a coupon for him to sort her socks--Hip is mad. Her birthday is a disaster! It takes their friends Snooter and Peapod to show Hip and Hop that trusting your best friend can bring about the best kind of surprises. Once again the award-winning creator of Animal Kisses will have readers laughing aloud at the hilarious adventures of an exuberant hippo and a persnickety rabbit who are the unlikeliest of friends.
2004
Besos de Animales
Do you like scratchy gato kisses or sticky perro kisses? How about a fuzzy oso kiss? It's time to pucker up for this new Spanish-language edition of Barney Saltzberg's hugely popular Animal Kisses. Children everywhere will adore the colorful menagerie of cuddly animals--and the velvety, squeaky, furry besos that make this sweet touch-and-feel book simply irresistible.
2004
Noisy Kisses
Get ready for a fun--and noisy--new game! In this silly lift-the-flap guessing game, children will happily call out the answer on each spread. Lifting the flap reveals an animal, a surprise, and a chance for kids to make their very own noisy kisses. From the award-winning creator of three previous irresistible books of kisses, Noisy Kisses comes with flaps to lift, textures to feel, a squeaker to press--and, of course, lots and lots of smooches!
2005
I Love Cats
Whether a “dog person” or a “cat person,” every emerging reader will find something to love in this bright, lilting ode to favorite pets. Stripey cats, spotted cats, cats that count drips; climbing cats, scaredy cats, cats that do flips . . .these and a flurry of other feline friends find a place of honor in I LOVE CATS. Just waiting to be adopted, this adorable read-aloud is sure to enchant the youngest of listeners, in a durable format designed for hands-on affection.
2005
I Love Dogs
Whether a “dog person” or a “cat person,” every emerging reader will find something to love in this bright, lilting ode to favorite pets. For the canine crowd, I LOVE DOGS runs the gamut: big dogs, little dogs, dogs that do tricks, happy dogs, sleepy dogs, dogs that chase sticks — they're all captured in Barney Saltzberg's bouncy text and beguiling illustrations. Just waiting to be adopted, this adorable read-aloud is sure to enchant the youngest of listeners, in a durable format designed for hands-on affection.