Illustrator & Author Profile
G. Brian Karas
20 Books
G. Brian Karas is a prolific and celebrated author and illustrator of children's picture books. He has brought his distinctive, expressive mixed-media artwork to dozens of beloved titles, including illustrating the classic "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!". In addition to his illustration work, Karas has written and illustrated many of his own acclaimed books, such as "On the Farm, At the Market" and "Atlantic".
Step right into the bustling world of a local farm and see exactly how your favorite foods travel from the soil to your plate. Workers are busy picking fresh vegetables, gathering warm eggs, and making delicious cheese. But the work does not stop there! The very next day, these busy farmers pack up their trucks and set up vibrant stands at the bustling city greenmarket to share their harvest with eager shoppers. You will meet Amy, the cheerful baker at the Busy Bee Cafe, who uses all these fresh ingredients to create a spectacular meal for the hardworking farm crew. This warm, inviting story takes you behind the scenes of food production, highlighting the special connections between rural farms, urban markets, and the strong communities that bring people together over a shared meal.
6-8 Years
45 Pages
Climb aboard the most amazing, gigantic spaceship in the entire universe: the planet Earth! Right now, you are zooming through space, gliding and tilting as our spectacular planet spins on its axis and circles the bright sun. This massive, invisible motion is exactly why your dark shadows suddenly stretch long in the afternoon, why the bright sunny daytime slowly turns into quiet nighttime, and why freezing winter snow eventually melts into beautiful spring flowers. By taking this incredible voyage, you will discover exactly how rotation and revolution make everything around you change from day to day and season to season. Get ready to explore the fascinating cycles of your home planet in a journey that beautifully explains the science of our moving world, proving that as passengers on Earth, the adventure truly never ends!
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Ned is a lasso-throwing, boot-stomping cowboy who loves the wide open spaces of the wild West, so he is less than thrilled when his mother packs up their car and moves them straight into the muddy, mysterious swamp country! Living with his Grandpa right on the edge of the murky bayou is totally different from anything this cowboy has ever known. Before long, Ned is dodging snapping local alligators, stumbling through sticky snafus around the house, and bracing himself for a major western-style showdown with the neighborhood's toughest school bully, Big Head Ed. But as Ned bravely faces down his fears in this strange new environment, he slowly realizes that true cowboy courage comes from within. Grab your boots and discover how the right mix of bravery and family can make you feel at home absolutely anywhere.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
I stretch all the way from the icy North Pole to the freezing South Pole, and my salty waters lap against the sandy shores of North America and Africa. I am the Atlantic Ocean, and this is my story! Told directly from the perspective of the mighty ocean itself, this poetic journey invites you to explore the massive, ever-changing waters that cover our planet. You will discover how the moon tugs at my tides, how giant schools of fish travel through my hidden depths, and why scientists and artists have been fascinated by my powerful waves for thousands of years. Dive deep into a wondrous exploration of marine life, changing tides, and the incredible power of nature, perfectly designed to spark your curiosity about the magnificent waters that shape our incredible world.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Imagine standing perfectly still in the exact same spot for two hundred incredible years! In the year 1775, a tiny acorn sprouts into a magnificent oak tree, and over the next two centuries, it quietly watches the entire world completely transform around its sturdy trunk. What begins as a quiet, rural country landscape slowly shifts into a bustling, energetic modern city. From your branches, you will watch Native American trails become paved roads, horse-drawn carriages turn into zooming automobiles, and simple campfires evolve into glowing electric streetlights. While transportation, technology, and human populations race forward, the grand oak tree remains a strong, silent witness to the fascinating march of progress. Take a mesmerizing journey through American history and discover how much our incredible world can change from just one single, rooted point of view.
6-8 Years
21 Pages
Long before he was throwing fierce lightning bolts from the clouds, Zeus was just a young boy trying to figure out his incredibly complicated magical family! Deep inside a hidden cave, young Zeus is busy growing up, discovering his mighty powers, and realizing that his family is a little bit different than most. To become the supreme master of thunder and the ultimate ruler over the entire world, he cannot do it all by himself. He is going to need some serious backup from a wacky team of six terrifying monsters, five powerful Greek gods, his fiercely protective mother, and one very enchanted she-goat. Dive headfirst into the ancient world of Greek mythology with this witty, action-packed adventure that proves becoming the king of the gods is tough, but dealing with your bizarre mythological relatives is the real challenge!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
56 Pages
The town roads are always changing, but the hardworking crew at the Village Garage is ready for anything the weather brings. No matter the season, these dedicated workers fire up their massive, rumbling trucks to keep the streets safe and clean for everyone. In the spring, they sweep away fallen branches and winter debris. Summer brings patching potholes, fall means gathering massive piles of colorful leaves, and winter requires spreading sand and salt over icy, slippery roads. You will get a front-row seat to watch these terrific trucks in action as they tackle tough jobs all year long. Grab your hard hat and jump into the driver's seat to discover how teamwork, heavy machinery, and dedicated community workers keep your neighborhood moving smoothly through every single season.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
A sudden whoosh of wind transforms a perfectly quiet town into a whirlwind of flying wedding cakes, bouncing bananas, and airborne alarm clocks! While the rest of the townsfolk scramble to save their belongings from the blustery weather, a young boy named Bernard sees things differently. He welcomes the magnificent gust of wind, realizing that a little bit of chaos can make the world feel wide, wonderful, and incredibly exciting. This engaging story turns an ordinary routine completely upside down, showing you how wonderful it can be to embrace the unexpected. Jump into a delightfully breezy adventure that celebrates nature, weather, and the joy of seeing the world from a fresh new perspective.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
When the sun completely sets and the busy city finally goes to sleep, Dad's important job as a school custodian is just beginning. What is it really like to wander through the quiet, darkened hallways of a school on a Friday night? For one young boy, tagging along on his father's night shift is pure magic! From the sweet smell of blooming lilacs drifting through the open windows to the thrilling shadows of shy nighttime animals darting across the lawn, the dark world feels incredibly special. Shooting hoops in the dimly lit gymnasium and reading stories aloud on the library couch help the late hours fly by. Experience the quiet beauty of a night job in this glowing, tender tribute to hard work, everyday magic, and the deep, enduring love between a father and his son.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Get ready to ride the loudest, wildest, and silliest bus in the entire city! When two children and their parents climb aboard a normal city bus to head to a party, they expect a quiet ride. But at the very next stop, a slippery group of seals hops on board and starts barking at the top of their lungs! With every single stop, a brand-new group of loud, crazy animals joins the chaotic commute. From honking geese and roaring tigers to chattering monkeys, the noise grows louder and the parents grow more and more annoyed. But when a family of hissing skunks decides they want a seat, the passengers might just have to abandon ship! Honk, roar, and bark along with this hilarious, toe-tapping twist on a classic children's song that will leave you laughing out loud.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
The dark clouds are gathering high above the busy city streets, and you can already hear the crackling sound of the approaching storm. Tap, tap, boom, boom! As the massive thunderstorm suddenly unloads a heavy sheet of rain and powerful wind, people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds sprint down the stairs to seek shelter in the underground subway station. Down below the loud, wet streets, an amazing thing happens. Strangers who have never spoken before begin sharing their colorful umbrellas, laughing together, and enjoying the magnificent hullabaloo of the wild weather above them. With toe-tapping rhymes and a fantastic jazz-like rhythm, this joyful story proves that even a gloomy, soaking wet thunderstorm has the magical power to bring a whole community of strangers together as brand new friends.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Everyone in Mr. Tiffin's classroom is buzzing with excitement because the brand-new school library has finally opened its doors! Well, everyone except Jake. Jake is a careful, slow reader who sometimes has to read the same page over and over again to understand the story, and Library Day always leaves him feeling a little bit left behind. But everything changes when Librarian Beck notices Jake admiring the wooden grooves of a bookshelf. Instead of a thick chapter book, Librarian Beck hands him an old, worn-out manual all about woodworking. Suddenly, Jake is checking the book out week after week, eagerly studying the diagrams and carefully following the instructions. As the school year ends, Jake uses his newfound skills to create the absolute perfect thank-you gift for the brilliant librarian who changed his entire view on reading.
6-8 Years
22 Pages
There once was an old lady who had a very strange appetite, and you will not believe the bizarre things she decides to swallow! It all starts with a tiny little fly, but soon her snacks grow bigger, weirder, and much more wild. Why did she swallow a fly? She will not say! As her peculiar cravings get entirely out of hand, she gulps down a parade of creatures that belong nowhere near a dinner plate. With every page you turn, the list of animals grows longer, sillier, and more impossible to imagine. This hilarious retelling of the classic cumulative rhyme will have you laughing out loud as you try to remember exactly which animal went down the hatch next. Get ready for a wildly funny reading adventure full of hungry surprises and delightfully ridiculous choices.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A Story About Knitting and Love
Mrs. Goldman spends her days knitting cozy, beautiful hats for everyone in the neighborhood to keep them warm when the chilly winds blow. Her young neighbor, Sophia, helps out by making the fluffy pom-poms, though she secretly thinks actual knitting is far too difficult to learn. But when the freezing winter weather finally arrives, Sophia notices something terrible: Mrs. Goldman has been so incredibly busy making hats for everyone else that she completely forgot to make one for herself! Now it is up to Sophia to step up, conquer her fears, and knit the perfect winter hat for her dear friend. Even though her stitches are messy and the hat comes out lumpy with unexpected holes, Sophia uses her creativity to turn a knitting disaster into the most wonderful, heartfelt gift of all.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
A Book About Two Kids Counting Money
Who says you can only sell lemonade when it is hot outside? Pauline and her younger brother John John are determined to set up a stand in the middle of a snowy winter. They have a plan they have the fruit and they have a very catchy song to attract customers. As they mix their drinks and count their coins you will learn all about the basics of money and business while cheering for these two brave entrepreneurs. Even when the cold wind blows Pauline and John John stay focused on their goal and work together to make their winter stand a success. It is a sweet story about persistence and sibling teamwork that shows how much fun you can have when you use your imagination and a little bit of math to turn a cold day into a grand adventure.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
You might think a farm requires rolling green fields, big red barns, and giant rumbling tractors, but you can actually plant a vibrant farm absolutely anywhere you like! All you need to start your very own growing adventure is a little bit of soil, a sunny spot, a splash of water, and a single tiny seed. From an empty bucket on a city balcony to an old rubber boot sitting on your front steps, almost anything can be transformed into a wonderful home for green, growing things. What type of fascinating plants will you choose to nurture, and what kind of buzzing bugs or curious neighbors will come to visit your brand new garden? This joyful, rhyming celebration of nature proves that no matter where you live, you have the power to create a beautiful green space of your very own.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
Mr. McGreely has dreamed of planting a beautiful garden for years. Now that it is finally springtime, he cannot wait to fill his tummy with fresh, crispy carrots and yummy vegetables. But when the sun goes down and the moon comes up, three hungry bunnies appear. With a tippy, tippy, pat and a muncha, muncha, muncha, they sneak in and eat everything in sight! Furious about his nibbled leaves and empty stalks, Mr. McGreely sets out to protect his precious plants. He builds bigger fences, taller walls, and deeper trenches to keep the pesky puff-tails away. But these clever rabbits are not giving up easily. Get ready to cheer for the determined gardener or the sneaky bunnies in this hilarious, action-packed battle of wits full of fun sound effects.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Moving to a brand new neighborhood is tough, especially when you do not know a single person on your block. One grumpy boy finds himself stuck in an unfamiliar place, missing his old friends and dreading the quiet streets. But instead of staying sad, he comes up with a brilliantly unusual plan to get everyone's attention.
He marches right out to the end of his driveway and starts yelling a single name at the top of his lungs. Soon, curious kids and friendly neighbors poke their heads out to see what all the fuss is about. Before he knows it, his loud and funny strategy sparks conversations, smiles, and brand new connections. Join this clever kid as he turns a lonely afternoon into a bustling neighborhood adventure. It is the perfect story to remind you that making friends just takes a little bit of creative courage.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
What would you do if you received an invitation to the princess's tenth birthday party, but you did not have a single penny to buy her a present? If you are a clever boy named Jack, you roll up your sleeves and decide to bake the princess the most magnificent birthday cake she has ever seen. The only problem is that Jack now has to carry his delicious masterpiece all the way to the royal castle without ruining it. As he travels through the enchanted forest, he crosses paths with greedy trolls, hungry bears, and unpredictable travelers. What could possibly go wrong? This deliciously funny modern fairy tale is packed with action, unexpected surprises, and a story-loving princess who appreciates a great adventure just as much as a slice of cake.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
Meet Ivan, a real silverback gorilla who lived an extraordinary life. Long before he became the beloved hero of a famous novel, Ivan was a baby gorilla in the lush jungles of Central Africa. But his life changed completely when he was brought to a busy shopping mall in Washington. For almost thirty years, he lived alone in a small indoor cage, watched by thousands of shoppers. This beautiful true story follows Ivan's journey from his quiet early days to his challenging life in the mall, and finally to a happy new home. Thanks to caring people who wanted him to have a better life, Ivan was eventually moved to a spacious gorilla habitat at Zoo Atlanta. You will be inspired by his resilience and the true meaning of freedom in this gentle, touching introduction to a very special animal who captured the hearts of people everywhere.
6-8 Years
45 Pages
