Coming Soon

By Dev Petty

Illustrated by Lauren Eldridge

On Sale: Apr 7, 2026
Page Count: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316564540

$18.99

$24.99 CAD

Format

Hardcover

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Hardcover $18.99 $24.99 CAD

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Join the claymates for a claydate—a madcap adventure about playing, not perfection—in this rollicking read-aloud by the duo behind Claymates!

When two clay friends decide to sculpt a unicorn-dragon and a potato-knight and try to tell an epic story with them, nothing goes quite how they planned. Unicorn-dragon isn’t fearsome at all, and potato-knight keeps getting squished! Can the claymates work together to save their story and remember that a playdate doesn’t have to be perfect to be plenty of fun? Anything can happen in this laugh-out-loud adventure that celebrates friendship, storytelling, and endless creativity.

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Series:

Claymates

Dev Petty was once a visual effects artist who worked on films like The Matrix, but these days she writes funny picture books for kids and their people, such as Claymates and I Don’t Want to Be a Frog. She lives in her hometown of Berkeley, California, with her husband, daughters, dogs, cats, and a snake named Boots. She invites you to visit her online at devpetty.com or @devpetty.

Lauren Eldridge is a three-dimensional photographic artist and the illustrator of Claymates, Hustle Bustle Bugs, and Sleep Train. She studied landscape architecture in college, earned a graduate degree in early childhood education, and subsequently taught in special education. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, children, dogs, and no snakes whatsoever. She invites you to visit her online at eldridgestudio.com or @eldridgestudio.

* "Just as marvelous a read-aloud for groups as for lapsit storytimes.... A sublime blend of the snarky and sweet."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Like its predecessor, there is plenty of belly laugh–inducing humor, but Petty provides readers with an important reminder: creativity thrives in imperfection. Eldridge returns with stunning photos of expressive clay figures presented in comic-style paneling, which invites readers to explore beyond the page and experiment in the classroom or library makerspace.... This is a strong sequel and suitable addition to libraries and classrooms alike."
School Library Journal
Praise for Claymates:
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2019 Monarch Award Nominee
A 2018 Wisconsin Library Association Outstanding Book
A 2018-2019 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee
* "The dynamic interaction between the characters invites readers to take risks, push boundaries, and have a little unscripted fun of their own."
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Petty's punchy, dialogue-only narrative and newcomer Eldridge's expressive sculpture give these clay buddies a surplus of personality.... A giddy mix of naive and naughty."
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Readers and pre-readers alike will be delighted.... The value of play for the sake of play shines above all else."
Shelf Awareness

Dev Petty

About the Author

Dev Petty was once a visual effects artist who worked on films like The Matrix, but these days she writes funny picture books for kids and their people, such as Claymates and I Don’t Want to Be a Frog. She lives in her hometown of Berkeley, California, with her husband, daughters, dogs, cats, and a snake named Boots. She invites you to visit her online at devpetty.com or @devpetty.

Learn more about this author

Lauren Eldridge

About the Illustrator

Lauren Eldridge had to take a break from sculpting blocks of cheese into cats and unicorns to write this bio. She first studied landscape architecture in school but later decided to earn a graduate degree in teaching. Lauren now builds city streets and house dragons in her basement in Madison, Wisconsin. Claymates is her debut picture book.

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