Jane Yolen Books in Order

Princesses play baseball, get muddy, and choose clothes that suit their adventures while keeping their crowns. These rhymes celebrate girls pursuing their own interests and discovering that being a princess leaves room for many different ways to be themselves.

Dinosaurs introduce basic opposites through playful scenes and unfolding pages that change what young readers see. The familiar prehistoric characters make contrasts such as up and down approachable, encouraging children to explore early concepts through observation and interactive reading.

Little dinosaurs celebrate birthdays with parties, presents, and the excitement of growing a year older. Playful illustrations and rhyming text invite young children into a festive occasion, sharing the anticipation and joy that make a birthday feel special.

After losing her mother and baby brother, Summer faces a new threat when her father remarries. In the mountains of West Virginia, her stepmother’s poisons, mirrors and hidden magic turn an already grieving household into a place of danger.

An elderly cat named Tiger Rose has grown tired and prepares to say goodbye. During her final day, she visits the people, animals, and familiar outdoor places that have made her life full of comfort and joy.

A dragon returns to menace the islands of May two centuries after humans supposedly drove the creatures away. A healer’s daughter and an unlikely aspiring hero who flies kites must confront the threat to their home.

Gorse, the youngest of thirteen fairies bound to an evil king’s service, falls ill before his daughter’s blessing ceremony. Racing to the castle with her family’s remaining magic, she becomes entangled in accidents that endanger the princess and kingdom.

Fifteen sonnets and accompanying biographical notes explore Emily Dickinson's private life and literary imagination. Voices drawn from the poet and people around her offer different perspectives on her relationships, solitude, and the writing that became her lasting legacy.

A young knight must wake two sleepy dragons and prepare them for the school run. Tooth brushing, getting dressed, and a breakfast delivered by catapult turn a familiar morning routine into a lively encounter with enormous companions.

Bullied schoolboy Sammy creates a golem from clay and magic to protect himself. The creature becomes a friend and drummer in his band, but its immense strength and unpredictable nature raise a harder problem than the bullies he hoped to escape.

Twenty-six women from history face reputations for wickedness, from Cleopatra to Bonnie Parker. Their lives are examined alongside conversations between the authors, who debate whether each woman's notoriety reflects wrongdoing, circumstance, or the judgments of her time.

Aliera Carstairs juggles school, fencing and her duties as Defender of Faerie while distrusting her new troll bodyguard, Avery. A threat against her cousin Caroline forces them to confront the Dark Lord and decide how far their uneasy partnership can stretch.

Paired poems let fairy-tale characters offer conflicting versions of familiar events, from a complaining princess to the pea beneath her mattresses. Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich combine unexpected voices with notes that explain the stories and their histories.

Angry dinosaurs stomp, shout, and make messes before discovering ways to calm down and reconnect with their families. Counting, cleaning up, and offering affection become part of a humorous lesson about handling frustration and making amends.

A playground fills with monsters eager to stretch, tumble, race, and slide. Rhyming scenes follow their energetic games, treats, and occasional mishaps, inviting young readers into a familiar day of play populated by creatures of many shapes and sizes.

Prince Aspen and midwife’s apprentice Snail become unlikely companions on a journey filled with misunderstandings and dangerous escapes. Reaching Aspen’s homeland, they discover their actions have helped ignite a conflict and must work together to prevent a larger war.

More than fifty poems and rhymes follow the everyday routines of a young child. Cuddles, games, meals, baths, and bedtime become occasions for sharing words and affection, with sections arranged around the changing activities of a baby's day.

Young James arrives at Cranford Abbey to find its valuable apple orchard being raided by unicorns. As the monks’ attempts to protect their harvest fail, his curiosity and an unlikely helper offer a possible answer to the abbey’s financial crisis.

When a horse on Arianne’s family farm gives birth to a centaur, her family tries to protect the extraordinary baby from outside attention. Their clients grow suspicious, threatening a secret that could transform an already vulnerable household.

True animal stories introduce creatures whose lives became part of human history, from the geese associated with Rome's rescue to sled dog Balto and wartime pigeon Cher Ami. The illustrated collection explores surprising connections between animals and the people around them.

Fleeing the war they accidentally helped start, Aspen and Snail take shelter with Professor Odds’ traveling actors. Pursued by armies and threatened by magical creatures, they must determine whether the mysterious troupe leader offers safety or has plans of his own.

Red squirrel Nutley loses his parents in an attack by invading gray squirrels and escapes to a town dump. Among unfamiliar animals and constant dangers, he must learn to survive without surrendering the kindness that shapes his character.

Dinosaurs navigate everyday situations that require caution, from crossing streets to encountering strangers. Their oversized antics make safety lessons approachable, helping children consider how to protect themselves while remaining curious and active in the world around them.

Poetic verses and illustrations follow the year through winter cold, spring renewal, summer freedom, and falling autumn leaves. Each season brings distinctive experiences, inviting children to notice nature’s changes and the continuing cycle that connects one part of the year to another.

A Jewish girl and her family flee Nazi-occupied Paris, hiding in a forest before attempting a dangerous escape across the mountains. Imagining a stone angel watching over them, she holds onto hope throughout their journey toward safety.

As a mother settles her child into bed, she describes the different places birds build their nests. Their varied homes provide a quiet journey through the natural world, returning again and again to the comfort of being together.

Dinosaur friends quarrel over toys, push, and call names, then learn how sharing and apologies can repair their relationships. Humorous scenes contrast hurtful behavior with affection, helping children understand the everyday choices that keep friendships healthy.

Little Frog finds her first autumn frightening because its colors and sounds differ from the green world she knows. Encouraged by her mother, she ventures outside, where getting lost challenges her courage and her understanding of unfamiliar things.

A boy and his dog wander through a strange valley and discover a bird’s nest on a hill. Rhyming text and imaginative illustrations draw attention to small details in nature, building toward the wonder of a new bird’s arrival.

Runaway Craig is rescued from a church rooftop by Silex, a creature imprisoned as a gargoyle. Working as the stone detective’s assistant, he investigates a series of murders in Edinburgh with a priest’s help and little support from the authorities.

Newly crowned Aspen faces an Unseelie invasion without experience or a battle plan. His friend Snail may be able to recruit an army of changelings, but first she must persuade their dangerous leader, Professor Odds, whose ambitions complicate their survival.

Darkly playful epitaphs imagine the deaths of dinosaurs and other extinct creatures. Arranged by prehistoric era, the poems pair jokes and wordplay with factual notes, introducing animals such as the woolly mammoth, terror bird, and Tyrannosaurus rex.

A boy and his dog arrive beside a peaceful pond, disturbing birds, frogs, turtles, and other wildlife into a burst of activity. As quiet gradually returns, the illustrated story encourages children to notice the intricate life within an ordinary natural setting.

Thirty fairy tales, folktales, and fables from around the world are retold for young children. Moving between magical adventures, everyday stories, and animal encounters, the illustrated collection offers short narratives for adults and children to read and share together.

Familiar literary characters enter transformed worlds in these fantasy stories, from Wendy organizing the Lost Boys to Emily Dickinson sailing through space. Other tales follow an academic uncovering ancient evil and Dorothy returning from Oz with unexpected new abilities.

This illustrated poetry collection explores the hidden world beneath the ground, from animal burrows and tree roots to subways, pipes and magma. The poems combine observation and imagination, encouraging children to consider the natural and human activity below their feet.

An insistent bear settles on a porch and is soon joined by a growing assortment of woodland animals. The reluctant host keeps making room, but this increasingly crowded gathering begins to test the limits of hospitality and the porch itself.

A father introduces his daughter to birdwatching through a simple comparison: whether each bird resembles a crow. Their shared outing becomes a lesson in careful observation, helping her notice differences and discover the pleasure of identifying birds.

Natasha escapes a controlling father and an unhappy home, finding refuge in Baba Yaga’s walking house in the woods. Told in verse, her encounter with the fairy-tale witch becomes a journey toward finding her voice and shaping her own life.

Familiar fairy tales and legends are reshaped around unexpected viewpoints, including a bridge missing its troll and a misunderstood spinner of straw. New author notes and original poems accompany the stories, exploring how their old patterns can produce different meanings.

In Poland during the Holocaust, twins Chaim and Gittel face persecution and a world of escalating violence. Their love for each other and Chaim’s poetry offer fragile sources of strength as they struggle to survive the loss of everything familiar.

Jane Yolen and Barbara Diamond Goldin retell biblical stories through the experiences of girls and women, including Eve, Deborah, and Esther. Profiles and interpretive sidebars examine their courage, resourcefulness, and choices while inviting readers to question familiar accounts.

A child exploring a New England beach follows gulls after they snatch a starfish from the sand. The illustrated journey reveals shore life and prompts a choice about helping another creature, connecting observation with care for the natural world.

Craig continues working with the gargoyle detective Silex in 1930s Edinburgh, despite the cost of their earlier case. When a mysterious young woman seeks sanctuary at their church, they must protect her from another supernatural force threatening the city.

A boy flying his kite notices that the Moon seems lonely and promises to visit her. His fascination carries him through years of learning and astronaut training as he works toward turning that childhood promise into a journey.

Silex and Craig discover that the Devil is trapped inside the gargoyle’s former human assistant. When a rebellious lieutenant threatens the living world and the underworld, the investigators must consider freeing their old enemy to prevent a greater disaster.

A little fish looks forward to playing with a new friend but worries that she might find him too slow. Their school friendship becomes an opportunity to face uncertainty and discover what it means to enjoy spending time together.

Dinosaurs eagerly decorate, peek at gifts, and prepare for Christmas, finding it difficult to contain their holiday excitement. Playful rhymes contrast mischievous impulses with thoughtful behavior, exploring how children can enjoy family traditions while showing care and gratitude.

A mermaid sings her baby toward sleep beneath the sea. Gentle waves, the sounds of whales, and the light of sea stars surround their bedtime routine in a lullaby that follows a mother's care for her little one.

Fish teams gather for a school field day filled with nervous excitement and a race to win. Working together becomes as important as swimming quickly as the young competitors face the surprises that come with their big day.

A little fish starts at a new school and feels unsure about being alone among unfamiliar classmates. Meeting another fish with similar worries gives him a chance to discover friendship and find his place in this underwater classroom.

In an alternate Russia, Tsar Nicholas II uses dragons against Jews and Bolsheviks while intrigue spreads through his court. As revolution approaches, his opponents begin raising dragons of their own, turning political upheaval into a struggle fought in the skies.

A young fish takes on the responsibility of being an assistant crossing guard at school. Helping classmates cross safely and looking out for a lost minnow test his readiness to care for others in his new role.

Young Emily Dickinson explores the sights, sounds, and smells around her home while experimenting with marks, words, and rhymes. This imagined childhood introduces the curiosity and pleasure in language that will grow into her life as a poet.

Dinosaurs test manners at meals, on playgrounds, and at home, where their enthusiasm can lead to messes and inconsiderate behavior. Humorous rhymes show them practicing sharing, kindness, and gratitude, turning everyday challenges into lessons in courtesy.

Interrupting Cow brings the familiar knock-knock joke into a story of her own. Her habit of breaking into the conversation supplies the humor as this early reader explores the character behind the joke and gives her a warmer story.

Interrupting Cow encounters the chicken famous for crossing the road. Their meeting gives a familiar joke a new story, asking what brought the chicken across and what happens when two comic characters find themselves together in an early reader.

This illustrated poem considers the names people give birds and what those names can reveal. Looking beyond labels toward the birds themselves and their songs, it invites children to appreciate the natural world with curiosity and attentive listening.

A young birder and her mother discover eagles flying above a lakeside cove and locate their nest high in a tree. Returning later to watch for chicks, they learn about the birds’ lives and the value of careful observation.

The fish prepare to perform in a school music concert, but worries about instruments and singing unsettle them. Facing their stage fright together becomes part of the performance as they discover the challenges and rewards of appearing before an audience.

A young fish feels nervous about a school test, especially when the substitute teacher seems intimidating. This underwater classroom story follows his worries as he tries to face the unfamiliar teacher and the challenge of showing what he knows.

Sixteen dark tales and poems explore supernatural transformations, dangerous angels, and uncertain boundaries between innocence and menace. Central Park becomes a place for changing into beasts, while crossings of the Red Sea and journeys toward the South Pole invite peril.

Fourteen-year-old Josiah Starbuck learns from Ishmael that his father died aboard the Pequod during Ahab’s pursuit of Moby-Dick. Doubting the survivor’s account, he sets sail with his dog Zeke to seek answers and confront his grief.

Eeny Mole lives with her sisters in a comfortable underground home where darkness is familiar and reassuring. Unlike Meeny and Miney, she longs to explore the world above, venturing out to discover what lies beyond their sheltered life.

Familiar Mother Goose rhymes return as paired poems told from unexpected viewpoints, revealing new versions of Humpty Dumpty, the three blind mice, and other figures. The illustrated collection invites children to question familiar stories and invent their own perspectives.

Dinosaurs react to parting from loved ones with tears, hiding and dramatic protests. Through rhyming text and familiar family situations, this picture book explores how children can express their fears and face goodbyes while remembering that affection survives time apart.

Sixty poems move from feminist readings of biblical figures to the Holocaust and its aftermath. Jane Yolen examines suffering, remembrance, and the responsibility of bearing witness, connecting ancient themes with the enduring wounds left by persecution and mass murder.

Interrupting Cow meets an old dog who prefers his familiar ways and seems reluctant to try anything new. Her efforts to teach him new tricks turn their encounter into a playful exploration of change, friendship, and learning.

Becca’s parents prepare for Rosh Hashanah by trying something new, but their daughter resists unfamiliar food. As the family celebrates the Jewish new year, a determined young eater faces the challenge of adding a new taste to her routine.

Benjamin Franklin's son Billy dreads having a tutor until lessons awaken his interest in stories and books. A visit to his father's Leather Apron Club shows him what a library can offer and encourages him to reconsider his education.

The Mary Celeste is found drifting at sea in 1872 with its captain and crew missing. Young readers examine the surviving clues and competing explanations, considering what might have happened aboard one of history's most puzzling abandoned ships.

Nana turns everyday objects into dance partners and shares her enthusiasm with her grandchildren. Rhyming scenes follow her varied moves, celebrating the energy, laughter, and affection that grow when children and grandparents make time to dance together.

Children move through their days with confidence in their bodies and pride in who they are. Rhyming scenes celebrate body positivity and encourage a healthy sense of self when other people's negative comments threaten that confidence.

This picture book follows the biblical Deborah from a thoughtful childhood to her work as a prophet and judge in ancient Israel. Her growing understanding of her gift and responsibilities leads her toward leadership during a time of conflict.

An elephant named Flora becomes part of a circus magician's life in a story told through inventive words beginning with ele. Their friendship unfolds across five acts, with brief rhyming language and illustrations carrying a tale of care and freedom.

Two children visit a tiny island with their grandfather and set off to explore its caves and coves. Clues around the shoreline suggest something extraordinary beneath the surface, turning an ordinary outing into an encounter with an unexpected giant.

Interrupting Cow meets a new farm resident who turns out to be a zebra. His jokes and knowledge of the world beyond the farm spark a friendship that may open the way to a new adventure.

Jon loves listening to birds, especially owls, and answers an evening hoot with one of his own. Another answering call leads him toward an unexpected companion, turning his pleasure in birdsong into the beginning of a friendship.

Mrs. Noah's care for injured birds gives her a personal stake in surviving the coming flood. This picture-book retelling centers her compassion and partnership with Noah as their family works to preserve animals and rebuild life after catastrophe.

This illustrated poetry collection explores animals that sip, slurp, or use suction to feed and move. Fifteen poems introduce unusual creatures and biological adaptations, with additional facts and a glossary extending the book's playful examination of natural science.

Mischievous dinosaurs struggle to consider other people’s feelings, from making noise to taking a sibling’s belongings. Playful rhymes and illustrations show how practice can turn thoughtless behavior into empathy, encouraging children to make kindness part of daily life.

Interrupting Cow notices a strange creature in the pasture and wonders why a supposed sheep growls and howls. Solving the mystery becomes an opportunity to welcome another friend and help the newcomer find a place to belong.

Troubled by school bullies, Kiki begins karate after watching her mother practice and wishing for similar strength. Her first lesson introduces a different kind of power, helping her develop confidence, steadiness, and peace without copying the behavior that hurt her.

Nineteen poems portray grandmothers around the world sharing ordinary moments with their grandchildren. Singing, walking, playing, and visiting together reveal the affection behind many different names for grandma, connecting varied family experiences through familiar acts of love.

Schlemiel leaves the foolish town of Chelm hoping to find more sensible neighbors in America. His attempt to start over encounters a different kind of foolishness, transforming traditional Jewish stories into a humorous tale about moving to a new country.

Young Robert Louis Stevenson visits a Scottish lighthouse with his father, whose family builds them. While his father sees their practical work, Louis imagines storms, shipwrecks, and pirates, beginning to discover the storyteller he hopes to become.

Three family journeys trace escape from violence and upheaval in Ukraine, Iran, and El Salvador. Told through fictionalized accounts of the authors' families, their stories reveal the fears, decisions, and shared hopes involved in beginning new lives in America.

An old giant lives alone until a girl named Arabella approaches him with an offer of friendship over tea. Their unlikely meeting turns a lonely life toward companionship in a picture book about kindness and making room for another person.

During the Great Depression, Anna Mary carries books by horseback to families in remote Appalachian communities. Her journeys through places without libraries portray the determination of the librarians who brought reading and stories to children and adults.

These romantic fantasies explore love through unexpected meetings and transformations, from a fairy encountering Juliet to an artist traveling into the past. Mysterious mermen and overlooked princesses join stories in which affection can bring practical hope, ecstasy, or tragedy.

An ordinary cardboard box becomes an invitation to imagine, play, and explore. Rhyming suggestions show how children can turn this simple object into many different adventures, whether they are playing on their own or sharing ideas with friends.

A child and a dog discover the imaginative possibilities of an ordinary stick, transforming it into tools for games and adventures. Through rhyming text and illustrations, the picture book celebrates creativity, outdoor play, and inventing worlds from simple objects.

Eeny lives underground with her sisters, Meeny and Miney, who fear the world above. As spring arrives, she tries to encourage them to venture outside, confronting the anxiety that keeps them from discovering what lies beyond their familiar home.

Dinosaurs join Halloween celebrations but are unsure how to behave among costumes, decorations, pumpkins, and treats. Through humorous mishaps and practice, they learn to help others and share, discovering how consideration can make a spooky holiday enjoyable.

More than a hundred poems celebrate childhood through home life, school, sports, music, holidays, and changing seasons. Illustrated with playful drawings, this collection captures everyday experiences and discoveries, giving young readers many ways to recognize their own lives in verse.

Interrupting Cow meets a duck who loves laughing and knows more jokes than anyone else on the farm. She is delighted to find a comic companion, but wonders how he will react when she shares her own favorite joke.

Micah's lost Purim noisemaker passes through encounters with different animals before returning to him. Its journey becomes part of a story about finding courage, as Micah faces a bully and learns to stand up for himself.

A quiet child finds pleasure in listening, watching, and imagining while the world carries on around them. Soothing rhymes celebrate an introverted nature and invite readers to notice the discoveries that become possible when they pause and pay attention.

A small dot takes on different roles, becoming an animal's eye, a marble, a moon, and more. Free verse and playful pictures explore how a simple shape can invite imaginative possibilities and change the way readers see an ordinary mark.

The fruits in the Garden of Eden argue over which is best until God appoints human caretakers. Tempted by the snake and the ease of picking fruit, the caretakers face a choice that connects this retelling with the work of gardening.