Reading levels and needs
The Elephant & Piggie books
Mo Willems wrote the Elephant & Piggie series between 2007 and 2016. The books are told in speech bubbles with very few words, which is why they appear on so many first-reading shelves. Any order works; Today I Will Fly! (2007) is the first and The Thank You Book (2016) is the last.
Titles and series count checked against publisher information and Open Library, Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
Today I Will Fly!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie announces she will fly today and Gerald doesn't believe her. The first Elephant & Piggie book (2007), written almost entirely in speech bubbles.
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There Is a Bird on Your Head!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald is told there are birds on his head and Piggie helps. Geisel Award 2008, with big speech bubbles and a very short word list.
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My Friend Is Sad
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald is sad, so Piggie dresses up as a cowboy, robot and clown. Shows what a good friend does when someone is down.
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I Am Invited to a Party!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald and Piggie fret over what to wear to a party. Funny and a good way to talk about worrying.
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Watch Me Throw the Ball!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie says Gerald may not be able to throw a ball, and Gerald tries. A lesson in letting someone else try.
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Are You Ready to Play Outside?
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie wants to play outside; Gerald hates rain. Geisel Award 2009.
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I Love My New Toy!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie lets Gerald play with her new toy and he breaks it. A story about sharing and apologising, in very few words.
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I Will Surprise My Friend!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald and Piggie both try to surprise each other, and the plan collapses in a funny way. A classic joke structure for early readers.
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Elephants Cannot Dance!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald tries to teach Piggie to dance and gets a surprise. Speech bubbles and big type make it easy for new readers.
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Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald thinks he is allergic to Piggie. Short, funny, and shows friendship wins.
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I'm a Frog!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie pretends to be a frog and Gerald worries she is really one. A story about pretend play, in speech bubbles.
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My New Friend Is So Fun!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie makes a new friend and Gerald feels jealous. Good for talking about sharing a best friend.
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Waiting Is Not Easy!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie has a surprise and Gerald can't stand waiting for it. Geisel Honor 2015, and relatable for any child who has been told to wait.
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I Will Take a Nap!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald wants a nap and Piggie wants to play. Funny for kids who struggle at nap time.
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I Really Like Slop!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie says she likes slop and wants Gerald to try it. About trying new foods and respecting a friend's choice.
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We Are in a Book!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald and Piggie find out they are in a book and ask the reader to say 'banana'. Funny for emerging readers (Geisel Honor 2011).
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Can I Play Too?
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
A snake asks to play ball with Gerald and Piggie, who aren't sure he can. A funny story about inclusion.
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Should I Share My Ice Cream?
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald wonders if he should share his ice cream while it melts. A funny lesson about choosing quickly.
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Happy Pig Day!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie celebrates Pig Day and Gerald tries to join in. Funny and warm.
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Listen to My Trumpet!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie plays the trumpet, badly, and Gerald says so. A story on honesty vs. kindness.
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Let's Go for a Drive!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald and Piggie plan a car trip and pack the wrong things. Geisel Honor 2013, goofy planning story.
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A Big Guy Took My Ball!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie's ball is taken by a bigger creature and Gerald tries to stand up for her. Geisel Honor 2014; a funny reversal at the end.
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I Broke My Trunk!
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Gerald tells a long tale of how he broke his trunk. Geisel Honor 2012, and silly storytelling for new readers.
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The Thank You Book
Mo Willems · Ages 4-8
Piggie thanks everyone she knows and Gerald worries he'll forget someone. The last Elephant & Piggie book (2016).
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