An original and touching story of a little koala and monkey, the best of friends.

Where are you going and where have you been?

Gussie the Monkey and Max the Koala take us on a trip through the years of their friendship and accomplishments.

They remember standing on tip toes, needing help to build block towers, imaginary friends, and how hard it was to say goodbye.

As they anticipate new experiences like riding the school bus, learning addition and subtraction, and riding two-wheel bikes, they support one another in their journey of growing up and learning new things.

This book instills confidence, honors the value of friendships, and reassures little ones how to ease into new experiences in a hopeful, loving manner. 

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Sky Pony Press, January 2023

“With spare, lyrical text and adorable pictures, the story of Gussie and Max beautifully captures the time in early childhood when everything is new and having a good friend by your side can make all the difference. Little ones will love watching Gussie and Max help each other take on the world.”
—Matt Tavares, New York Times bestselling author-illustrator

“A reassuring, lyrical friendship story about looking back and looking forward, about being proud of each milestone (like starting school) and embracing each moment ‘with open arms and hearts.'”
—Diana Murray, author of Groggle’s Monster Halloween, Groggle’s Monster Valentine, and the bestselling Unicorn Day series

“Gussie and Max is a heartwarming book about two cuddly companions who share in the wonder of growing up. Through their days of building blocks, making new friends, or dreaming under the stars, your child will be swept up in the joy of their adventures together. This sweet story of friendship is sure to bring smiles to children and adults alike!”
—Tyson Ranes, illustrator of Puppy Love

Ming goes to school, where she learns to say hello and good-bye. She meets new friends and introduces them to old friends (including her favorite teddy). She builds sandcastles and makes snow angels. She traces, glitters, and glues. She is so fearless that when held at sword point, she even walks the plank.

But she isn’t quite ready for the big red slide – not yet.

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Sky Pony Press, July 2016

• Publishers Weekly Starred Review
• School Library Journal Starred Review

“Ming exhibits a quiet confidence and independence from start to finish, which ought to prove inspiring to children who are about to trade days spent at home for ones in new territory.”
-Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“This beautiful tale with gentle illustrations is an ode to the milestone of attending school for the first time and all it entails.”
–School Library Journal (Starred Review)

“Featuring peeks at common classroom sights and activities, this empathetic tale could also be a discussion starter about growth and readiness.”
-Kirkus Reviews

“It’s lovely to find a book about a small child’s first encounter with school that treats the experience with sparseness, grace and even a touch of reverence.”
-The New York Times

“The quietly sophisticated storytelling shows how everyday pleasures and discoveries distract from the passage of time. But when you close the book and lift your eyes to look a the child in front of you, you are able to appreciate, even for a moment, the way time flashes forward even when you were sure you were paying attention.”
-Boston Globe

“With her bright red coat and sweet, almost horizontal pig tails, little Ming shows readers how to relish the early school years.”
-Wall Street Journal

Ming and Poppy’s journey takes them over sidewalk cracks and dancing shadows, past honking horns and crowded crosswalks. They greet old friends and make new ones while sharing stories, secrets and the sting of painful words.

And sometimes, a sweet treat, too.

PUBLISHER AND ACCOLADES

Sky Pony Press, October 2017

“The work shines with the love between the characters and the comfortable familiarity of a routine. . . . The text is understated, leaving plenty of room for the luminous watercolor illustrations to tell the story. . . . Young readers will enjoy this deceptively simple story of the deep relationship between a little girl and her grandfather, and will likely ask for Ming’s other adventures.”
—School Library Journal

“Following Ming Goes to School, the little girl is back for another subtle journey through the year’s seasons. Their loving relationship is evident in the sketchy line-and-watercolor illustrations . . . Lovely and quiet, this is a book to savor again and again.”
—Kirkus Reviews