This post was created in collaboration with Disney-Hyperion in support of the new series Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! All opinions are my own.
This year is such an important school year for my youngest son. Both of my older boys became what I call “super readers” after completing the first grade. I’m hopeful the same will happen this year for my six-year-old fella. At this point he can read, but it’s rough. The best solution to shape an awkward reader into a super reader is practice. Or at least that’s been my experience.
While parents need to take the time to sit and listen to their children read, we also need to make sure kids are engaged and enjoying the stories they are reading. My little guy and I read two stories in the new series Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! We are Growing and Cookie Fiasco {available on September 20th} are hilarious entertaining books that make early readers giggle and want to tackle each page to see what is happening.
More about the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! series:
This new beginner-reader series was created by Mo Willems and has best friends Elephant and Piggie introducing their favorite stories. Each 64-page beginning reader delivers a high quality reading experience that speaks to kids’ interests and abilities through stories that are fun and funny. The defining dialogue-driven format, established in the Elephant & Piggie series, unifies the collection with an active, participatory storytelling style that fans love. Plus, each book contains all-new Elephant & Piggie story bumpers!
COOKIE FIASCO
By Caldecott Award winner Dan Santat
In Stores September 20th
Synopsis
Four Friends. Three Cookies. One Problem.
Hippo, Croc, and the Squirrels are determined to have equal cookies for all! But how? There are only three cookies . . . And four of them. . . What’s more, they need to act fast before nervous Hippo breaks all the cookies into crumbs!
WE ARE GROWING
By award-winning author and illustrator Laurie Keller
In Stores September 20th
Synopsis
Growing up isn’t always the EASIEST
Walt and his friends are growing up fast! Everyone is the something-est. But . . . what about Walt? He is not the tallest, or the curliest, or the silliest. He is not the anything-est! As a BIG surprise inches closer, Walt discovers something special of his own!
Dan Santat (www.dantat.com) is the author and illustrator of the recent Caldecott winner, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, and many other books. For Disney-Hyperion he illustrated Oh, No! and Oh, No! Not Again! by Mac Barnett, Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo by Ayun Halliday, and Because I’m Your Dad by Ahmet Zappa. He is also the creator of Disney’s animated hit The Replacements. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.
Mo Willems (www.pigeonpresents.com), a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions, for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. The celebrated Elephant & Piggie early-reader series has been awarded the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal on two occasions (for There Is a Bird on Your Head! and Are You Ready to Play Outside?) as well as garnering five Geisel Honors (for We Are in a Book!, I Broke My Trunk!, Let’s Go for a Drive!, A Big Guy Took My Ball! and Waiting Is Not Easy!).
Laurie Keller, an award-winning author and illustrator, has created many children’s books including Birdy’s Smile Book, The Scrambled States of America Talent Show, and Do Unto Otters, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year. Laurie lives near Lake Michigan. Visit her at www.lauriekeller.com.
Follow on Twitter: @DisneyHyperion @The_Pigeon @DSantat @LKellerBooks
Follow on Instagram: @DisneyBooks
The cookie struggle is real. At least at my house. Everything must be divided equally. If someone receives more than their fair share? It’s an invitation for a smackdown. While in the Cookie Fiasco the animals try to figure out the best way to share, I sympathize with their plight as I am the one frequently tasked with this responsibility. I’m all about keeping the peace and therefore I’ve gone to great lengths to cut, divide, or break food to keep everything equal. While kids will find the book silly and fun, parents can understand the ridiculous truth behind the scenario.
In honor of the Cookie Fiasco and the impending fall season I’ve shared a recipe for Cinnamon Chocolate Oatmeal cookies. Cinnamon and oatmeal is my version of autumn yumminess and this recipe is an easy way to inject a little more sweet into the season.


- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 4 1/2 TBSP cocoa
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3 cups oatmeal
- Mix, drop and bake.
- Oven Temp: 350*
- Bake approximately 12 minutes.


Additionally one lucky Mama Report reader will win a “Mo Mail” prize pack!
The prize pack will include:
- Copies of We Are Growing and Cookie Fiasco
- Branded cookies and branded pins
- Elephant & Piggie finger puppets
Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion.
My favorite for what i have read so far is Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! I like all his books.
I don’t think I have read any of his books but I think my kids and I would enjoy The Cookie Fiasco! Thank you!
Ours is ‘Knuffle Bunny.’ My daughter has a stuffed rabbit named Knuffle Bunny and we actually took him to the laundromat yesterday; I’ve never seen my kid so vigilant in my life.
Both these books look like fun, but that Cookie Fiasco really caught my eye.
My kids love “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” Such a fun book for little minds! Awesome giveaway!
i would love the COOKIE FIASCO
I don’t have a favorite because we haven’t heard of this author. Thanks for the chance to win!
My kids both love Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
My grandson loves Elephant and Piggie. His favorite is I will Surprise my Friend.
I’d pick COOKIE FIASCO – looks cute
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Cookie fiasco sounds good!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is our favorite!
We are in a book is one of my daughter’s favorite