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Elephant & Piggie Books in Order

Part ofMo Willems Books in Order

Find the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems in order, with quick summaries, series background, and a friendly where-to-start guide for new readers.

Last updated: June 7, 2026

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Elephant & Piggie books in publication order

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25 books

1

Are You Ready to Play Outside?

by Mo Willems

2001

Piggie is ready for a perfect day outside, and Gerald wants to join in. Then the weather changes fast, and their big plan has to adapt. A funny early reader about flexibility, friendship, and making the best of a surprise.

2

I am Invited to a Party!

by Mo Willems

2007

Piggie has an invitation to a party and can’t wait. Gerald wants to come too, but he’s worried about what to wear and what to do. Their planning spiral turns into a sweet lesson about confidence and friendship.

3

My Friend is Sad

by Mo Willems

2007

Piggie is sad, and Gerald is determined to fix it. He tries everything he can think of, but cheering up a friend isn’t simple. A warm, funny early reader about empathy, patience, and showing up anyway.

4

There Is a Bird on Your Head!

by Mo Willems

2007

Gerald discovers a bird on his head, then two birds, then a whole nest. Piggie tries to help before Gerald completely loses it. A silly, satisfying early reader about problem solving and staying calm when things get weird.

5

Today I Will Fly!

by Mo Willems

2007

Gerald announces a bold goal: he will fly today. Piggie cheers him on, but the laws of physics have opinions. Together they test ideas, rethink them, and find a way to feel brave, even if it looks different than expected.

6

I Love My New Toy!

by Mo Willems

2008

Piggie has a brand-new toy and wants to share her excitement with Gerald. Gerald is happy for her, but he’s also nervous about breaking it. Their game becomes a gentle story about trust, care, and playing together.

7

I Will Surprise My Friend!

by Mo Willems

2008

Gerald wants to surprise Piggie, but planning a surprise is harder than it sounds. As each attempt goes sideways, Gerald worries he’ll ruin everything. A funny early reader about intentions, timing, and how friends read each other.

8

Elephants Cannot Dance!

by Mo Willems

2009

Piggie wants to teach Gerald how to dance, and Gerald is convinced he can’t. Step by step, Piggie coaches him through embarrassment and doubt. A joyful early reader about trying something new and finding your own style.

9

Pigs Make Me Sneeze!

by Mo Willems

2009

Gerald feels a sneeze coming at the worst possible moment, and Piggie is not prepared. Gerald tries to explain, but Piggie’s excitement keeps interrupting. A fast, funny early reader about patience, listening, and a very big sneeze.

10

Watch Me Throw the Ball!

by Mo Willems

2009

Gerald and Piggie play a simple ball game that quickly turns into a big performance. Piggie is impressed, Gerald is proud, and then the ball does what balls do. A light, laugh-out-loud story about showing off and expectations.

11

Can I Play Too?

by Mo Willems

2010

Gerald and Piggie are playing catch when a new friend wants to join in. The problem is, playing ball is tricky without arms. Together they experiment, improvise, and make sure everyone gets to play.

12

I am Going!

by Mo Willems

2010

Piggie announces she’s going, and Gerald panics. Is she leaving for good, or just for a moment? Their misunderstanding becomes a sweet story about separation anxiety, reassurance, and saying what you really mean.

13

We are in a Book!

by Mo Willems

2010

Gerald and Piggie realize they’re characters in a book, and the end is getting closer. They try everything to keep the reader laughing before the last page arrives. A clever, meta early reader that feels like a game.

14

Happy Pig Day!

by Mo Willems

2011

It’s a special day for Piggie, and Gerald wants to celebrate it the right way. Piggie’s ideas keep getting bigger, and Gerald tries to keep up. A sweet early reader about celebrating a friend and leaning into joy.

15

I Broke My Trunk!

by Mo Willems

2011

Gerald has broken his trunk and insists he has a very important story about how it happened. Piggie listens as the tale gets bigger and bigger. A funny early reader about storytelling, exaggeration, and what really matters.

16

Should I Share My Ice Cream?

by Mo Willems

2011

Gerald has an ice cream cone and faces a hard question: should he share it with Piggie? He debates with himself until the decision feels urgent. A simple, hilarious early reader about generosity, regret, and the ticking clock of melting ice cream.

17

Let's Go for a Drive!

by Mo Willems

2012

Gerald and Piggie decide they want to go for a drive, but there’s one obvious problem: they don’t have a car. Their search for a solution becomes a cheerful early reader about planning, asking for help, and not giving up.

18

Listen to My Trumpet!

by Mo Willems

2012

Piggie has a new trumpet and can’t wait for Gerald to hear it. Gerald is supportive, but he’s also confused by what he’s hearing. Their back-and-forth becomes a funny story about honesty, encouragement, and trying again.

19

A Big Guy Took My Ball!

by Mo Willems

2013

Gerald is upset when a big guy takes his ball. Piggie wants to march right up and fix it, but Gerald is scared. Together they face the problem and discover that the story isn’t as simple as “big” and “mean.”

20

I'm a Frog!

by Mo Willems

2013

Piggie decides she’s a frog, and she’s not taking no for an answer. Gerald tries to correct her, but Piggie’s imagination keeps winning. A playful early reader about pretend play, identity, and letting a friend be silly.

21

My New Friend Is So Fun!

by Mo Willems

2014

Piggie has a new friend and is having the best time. Gerald tries to be happy for her, but jealousy sneaks in fast. A funny early reader about making room for new friendships and remembering you still matter.

22

Waiting is Not Easy!

by Mo Willems

2014

Piggie asks Gerald to wait for a surprise, and Gerald struggles with every second. His imagination fills the time with worry and frustration. A hilarious early reader about patience and the huge feelings hidden inside a simple wait.

23

I Really Like Slop!

by Mo Willems

2015

Piggie can’t wait for Gerald to try her favorite food: slop. Gerald is skeptical, and Piggie is wildly enthusiastic. Their debate turns into a funny early reader about taste, trust, and the courage it takes to try one bite.

24

I Will Take a Nap!

by Mo Willems

2015

Piggie is ready for a nap, and Gerald has plans for everything else. As Gerald tries to keep the day moving, Piggie stays determined to rest. A gentle early reader about different moods, different needs, and being kind anyway.

25

The Thank You Book

by Mo Willems

2016

Gerald wants to thank everyone who has mattered to him, but the list keeps growing. Piggie helps him remember friends, small kindnesses, and big moments. A warm early reader that celebrates gratitude and community.

Elephant & Piggie books in chronological order

  1. Book cover for "Are You Ready to Play Outside?"

    Are You Ready to Play Outside?

    by Mo Willems

    2001Elephant & Piggie, Book 1
  2. Book cover for "Today I Will Fly!"

    Today I Will Fly!

    by Mo Willems

    2007Elephant & Piggie, Book 2
  3. Book cover for "My Friend is Sad"

    My Friend is Sad

    by Mo Willems

    2007Elephant & Piggie, Book 3
  4. Book cover for "I am Invited to a Party!"

    I am Invited to a Party!

    by Mo Willems

    2007Elephant & Piggie, Book 4
  5. Book cover for "There Is a Bird on Your Head!"

    There Is a Bird on Your Head!

    by Mo Willems

    2007Elephant & Piggie, Book 5
  6. Book cover for "I Love My New Toy!"

    I Love My New Toy!

    by Mo Willems

    2008Elephant & Piggie, Book 6
  7. Book cover for "I Will Surprise My Friend!"

    I Will Surprise My Friend!

    by Mo Willems

    2008Elephant & Piggie, Book 7
  8. Book cover for "Watch Me Throw the Ball!"

    Watch Me Throw the Ball!

    by Mo Willems

    2009Elephant & Piggie, Book 8
  9. Book cover for "Elephants Cannot Dance!"

    Elephants Cannot Dance!

    by Mo Willems

    2009Elephant & Piggie, Book 9
  10. Book cover for "Pigs Make Me Sneeze!"

    Pigs Make Me Sneeze!

    by Mo Willems

    2009Elephant & Piggie, Book 10
  11. Book cover for "I am Going!"

    I am Going!

    by Mo Willems

    2010Elephant & Piggie, Book 11
  12. Book cover for "Can I Play Too?"

    Can I Play Too?

    by Mo Willems

    2010Elephant & Piggie, Book 12
  13. Book cover for "We are in a Book!"

    We are in a Book!

    by Mo Willems

    2010Elephant & Piggie, Book 13
  14. Book cover for "I Broke My Trunk!"

    I Broke My Trunk!

    by Mo Willems

    2011Elephant & Piggie, Book 14
  15. Book cover for "Should I Share My Ice Cream?"

    Should I Share My Ice Cream?

    by Mo Willems

    2011Elephant & Piggie, Book 15
  16. Book cover for "Happy Pig Day!"

    Happy Pig Day!

    by Mo Willems

    2011Elephant & Piggie, Book 16
  17. Book cover for "Listen to My Trumpet!"

    Listen to My Trumpet!

    by Mo Willems

    2012Elephant & Piggie, Book 17
  18. Book cover for "Let's Go for a Drive!"

    Let's Go for a Drive!

    by Mo Willems

    2012Elephant & Piggie, Book 18
  19. Book cover for "A Big Guy Took My Ball!"

    A Big Guy Took My Ball!

    by Mo Willems

    2013Elephant & Piggie, Book 19
  20. Book cover for "I'm a Frog!"

    I'm a Frog!

    by Mo Willems

    2013Elephant & Piggie, Book 20
  21. Book cover for "My New Friend Is So Fun!"

    My New Friend Is So Fun!

    by Mo Willems

    2014Elephant & Piggie, Book 21
  22. Book cover for "Waiting is Not Easy!"

    Waiting is Not Easy!

    by Mo Willems

    2014Elephant & Piggie, Book 22
  23. Book cover for "I Will Take a Nap!"

    I Will Take a Nap!

    by Mo Willems

    2015Elephant & Piggie, Book 23
  24. Book cover for "I Really Like Slop!"

    I Really Like Slop!

    by Mo Willems

    2015Elephant & Piggie, Book 24
  25. Book cover for "The Thank You Book"

    The Thank You Book

    by Mo Willems

    2016Elephant & Piggie, Book 25

Series background & context

The Elephant & Piggie series is Mo Willems’s love letter to new readers. Each book is short, but it’s built like a real scene: two friends talk, react, misunderstand each other a little, and then figure it out. The format is friendly on purpose, big speech bubbles, lots of white space, and drawings that make the emotions impossible to miss.

Gerald (the elephant) is the careful one. Piggie is the brave one. Put them together and you get stories that feel like a playground conversation, except funnier.

These are books kids can actually read.

Sometimes the challenge is obvious, like learning to dance, throwing a ball, or deciding whether to share ice cream. Sometimes it’s emotional, like handling jealousy, waiting for a surprise, or worrying that you’re doing friendship “wrong.” The books never get heavy, but they take those feelings seriously enough that kids recognize themselves in them.

One of the secret powers of the series is how it models problem solving out loud. Gerald often says what he’s afraid of, and Piggie often says what she hopes will happen. They test an idea, it flops, and they try again. That’s a solid script for early elementary kids who are still learning how to name what’s going on inside their own heads.

The language is tuned for confidence. Sentences are short. Words repeat. The jokes land quickly. That means a kid can read a whole story without getting stuck for long, and the payoff is immediate, they finish the book and feel like a reader. It’s no surprise the series has picked up multiple Theodor Seuss Geisel honors for early readers along the way.

A few entries get especially playful with what a “book” can do. We are in a Book! winks at the reader and turns the act of reading into part of the plot, while The Thank You Book rounds up a whole community of friends and closes the series with warmth.

Every title works as a standalone, so you can follow a kid’s obsession, trucks one day, frogs the next. Still, reading in order adds extra charm, because you watch the friendship deepen and the running gags build. If you’re starting from scratch, begin with a few early titles, My Friend is Sad, I am Invited to a Party!, and There Is a Bird on Your Head! make a great first trio. After that, you can pretty much point at a cover and go.

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

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