Beginner Books is the Random House imprint for young children ages 3–9, co-founded by Phyllis Cerf with Ted Geisel, more often known as Dr. Seuss, and his wife Helen Palmer Geisel. Their first book was Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat (1957), whose title character appears in the brand's logo. Cerf compiled a list of 379 words as the basic vocabulary for young readers, along with another 20 slightly harder "emergency" words.Judith Morgan and Neil Morgan, Dr. Seuss & Mr. Geisel: A Biography (Da Capo Press, 1996), . No more than 200 words were taken from that list to write The Cat in the Hat. Subsequent books in the series were modeled on the same requirement.Excerpt available at Google Books.
Beginner Books had only four titles in their catalog in 1958. Two years later, they were earning 1 million dollars a year. Random House acquired Beginner Books in 1960 and was the largest publisher of children's books in the United States.
Early contributors Authors When Theodor Seuss Geisel illustrated his own stories, he wrote as Dr. Seuss. When others created the illustrations, he used either the pseudonym Theo. LeSieg or Rosetta Stone. Other authors of early Beginner Books were Robert Lopshire, Bennett Cerf, Al Perkins, Helen Palmer Geisel (who wrote as Helen Palmer), Philip Dey Eastman, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Benjamin Elkin and Marion Holland.
Illustrators Early Beginner Books employed many famous illustrators, including the aforementioned Theodor Seuss Geisel, P. D. Eastman, Stan and Jan Berenstain, and Robert Lopshire. Roy McKie was also an illustrator.
List of Beginner Books IDTitleYear releasedAuthorIllustratorB-1The Cat in the Hat1957Dr. SeussB-2The Cat in the Hat Comes Back1958B-3A Fly Went By1958Michael McClintockFritz SiebelB-4The Big Jump and Other Stories1958Benjamin ElkinKatherine EvansB-5A Big Ball of String1958/1993Marion HollandMarion Holland (later Roy McKie)B-6Sam and the Firefly1958P. D. EastmanB-7Going to the Moon (U.K.)/You Will Go to the Moon1959 (later revised edition in 1971)Mae and Ira FreemanRobert Patterson (later Lee Ames)B-8Cowboy Andy1959Edna Walker ChandlerE. Raymond KinstlerB-9The Whales Go By1959Fred PhlegerPaul GaldoneB-10Stop that Ball!1959Michael McClintockFritz SiebelB-11Bennett Cerf's Book of Laughs1959Bennett CerfCarl RoseB-12Ann Can Fly1959Fred PhlegerRobert LopshireB-13One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish1960Dr. SeussB-14The King's Wish and Other Stories1960Benjamin ElkinLeonard ShortallB-15Bennett Cerf's Book of Riddles1960/1999 (part of Riddles and More Riddles)Bennett CerfRoy McKieB-16Green Eggs and Ham1960Dr. SeussB-17Put Me in the Zoo 1960Robert LopshireB-18Are You My Mother?1960P. D. EastmanB-19Ten Apples Up on Top!1961/1998/2004Dr. Seuss (writing as Theo. LeSieg)Roy McKieB-20Go, Dog. Go! 1961P. D. EastmanB-21Little Black, a Pony1961Walter FarleyB-22Look Out for Pirates!1961Iris VintonH. B. VestalB-23A Fish Out of Water 1961Helen PalmerP. D. EastmanB-24More Riddles1961/1999 (part of Riddles and More Riddles)Bennett CerfRoy McKieB-25Robert the Rose Horse 1962Joan HeilbronerP. D. EastmanB-26I Was Kissed by a Seal at the Zoo1962Helen PalmerLynn Fayman (photographs)B-27Snow 1962Roy McKie and P. D. EastmanB-28The Berenstain Bears: The Big Honey Hunt (reissue)/The Big Honey Hunt1962Stan and Jan BerenstainB-29Hop on Pop: The Simplest Seuss for Youngest Use1963Dr. SeussB-30Dr. Seuss's ABC1963B-31Do You Know What I'm Going to Do Next Saturday?1963Helen PalmerLynn Fayman (photographs)B-32Summer 1963/2001Alice LowRoy McKieB-33Little Black Goes to the Circus1963Walter FarleyB-34Bennett Cerf's Book of Animal Riddles1964Bennett CerfRoy McKieB-35Why I Built the Boogle House1964Helen PalmerLynn Fayman (photographs)B-36The Bike Lesson (U.K.)/The Berenstain Bears: The Bike Lesson (reissue)/The Bike Lesson: Another Adventure of the Berenstain Bears1964Stan and Jan BerenstainB-37The Beginner Book of Things To Make: previously published as How to Make Flibbers, etc. (reissue)/How to Make Flibbers, etc.: A Book of Things to Make and Do1964Robert LopshireThe Cat in the Hat Dictionary (U.K.)/The Cat in the Hat Beginner Book Dictionary1964P. D. Eastman (credited as by the Cat himself and P. D. Eastman)B-38Fox in Socks (reissue)/Fox in Socks: A Tongue Twister for Super Children 1965Dr. SeussB-39The King, the Mice and the Cheese1965Nancy and Eric GurneyEric GurneyB-40I Wish That I Had Duck Feet1965Dr. Seuss (writing as Theo. LeSieg)B TobeyB-41The Berenstain Bears: The Bears' Picnic (reissue)/The Bears' Picnic 1966Stan and Jan BerenstainB-42Don and Donna Go to Bat1966Al PerkinsB TobeyB-43You Will Live Under the Sea1966Fred PhlegerWard BrackettB-44Come over to My House1966/2016Dr. Seuss (writing as Theo. LeSieg)Richard Erdoes (later Katie Kath)B-45Babar Loses His Crown1967 (later released in 2004)Laurent de BrunhoffB-46The Berenstain Bears: The Bear Scouts (reissue)/The Bear Scouts1967Stan and Jan BerenstainB-47The Digging-est Dog 1967Al PerkinsEric GurneyB-48Hugh Loftings' Travels of Dr. Dolittle1967Philip WendeThe Cat in the Hat Songbook1967Dr. Seuss, piano score and guitar chords by Eugene PoddanyDr. SeussB-49Hugh Loftings' Doctor Dolittle and the Pirates1968Al PerkinsPhilip WendeB-50Off to the Races1968Fred and Marjorie PhlegerLeo SummersB-51The Best Nest 1968P. D. EastmanB-52The Berenstain Bears: The Bears' Vacation (reissue)/The Bears' Holiday (U.K.)/The Bears' Vacation 1968Stan and Jan BerenstainB-53Ian Flemings' Story of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! the Magical Car1968Al PerkinsB TobeyB-54King Midas and the Golden Touch1969Harold BersonMy Book about Me1969Dr. Seuss and Roy McKieI Can Draw It Myself1970Dr. SeussB-55The Berenstain Bears: The Bears' Christmas (reissue)/The Bears' Christmas 1970Stan and Jan BerenstainSome of Us Walk, Some Fly, Some Swim1971Michael K. FrithB-56Tubby and the Lantern1971Al PerkinsRowland B. WilsonB-57Tubby and the Poo-Bah1972The Berenstain Bears in: The Bears' Almanac1973Stan and Jan BerenstainB-58Autographs! I Collect Them (reissue)/My Amazing Book of Autographs1974Michael K. FrithB-59Wacky Wednesday 1974Dr. Seuss (writing as Theo. LeSieg)George BoothB-60The Berenstain Bears: The Bear Detectives: The Case of the Missing Pumpkin (reissue)/The Bear Detectives: The Case of the Missing Pumpkin1975Stan and Jan BerenstainB-61Because a Little Bug Went Ka-Choo!1975Dr. Seuss (writing as Rosetta Stone)Michael K. FrithB-62Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! 1975Dr. SeussB-63Please Try to Remember the First of Octember! 1977Dr. Seuss (writing as Theo. LeSieg)Art CumingsB-64I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! 1978Dr. SeussB-65Oh Say Can You Say? 1979B-66The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone 1980Stan and Jan BerenstainB-67Maybe You Should Fly a Jet! Maybe You Should Be a Vet!1980/2020Dr. Seuss (writing as Theo. LeSieg)Michael J. Smollin (later Kelly Kennedy)B-68It's Not Easy Being a Bunny 1983Marilyn SadlerRoger BollenB-69Spooky Riddles 1983Marc BrownB-70What Do Smurfs Do All Day? 1983PeyoB-71The Very Bad Bunny 1984Marilyn SadlerRoger BollenB-72I Want to Be Somebody New!: The Sequel to Put Me in the Zoo (reissue)/I Want To Be Somebody New!1986Robert LopshireB-73The Black Stallion1986Walter FarleySandy RabinowitzB-74I Am Not Going to Get Up Today!1987Dr. SeussJames StevensonB-75The Cat's Quizzer 1976/1993Dr. SeussBeginning Readers' Yearbook 19941994The Big Blue Book of Beginner Books1994B-76Stop, Train, Stop! A Thomas the Tank Engine Story 1995Wilbert AwdryOwen BellThe Big Red Book of Beginner Books1995B-77New Tricks I Can Do!1996Robert LopshireB-78Anthony the Perfect Monster1996Angelo DeCesareThe Big Book of Berenstain Bears Beginner Books1996Stan and Jan BerenstainB-794 Pups and a Worm1996Eric SeltzerB-80Honey Bunny Funnybunny 1997Marilyn SadlerRoger BollenB-81Come Down Now, Flying Cow!1997Timothy RolandB-82Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? 1997Eleanor HudsonJoe MathieuThe Big Green Book of Beginner Books1997/2022Put Me in the Alphabet!: A Beginner Workbook About ABC's1997Robert LopshireI Want to Count Something New: A Beginner Workbook About 123's1997Pigs of a Feather1998Tish RabeMichael LetzigMatch This, P. J. Funnybunny!: A Beginner Workbook About Matching and Sorting1998Marilyn SadlerRoger BollenWhat's Next, P. J. Funnybunny?: A Beginner Workbook About Sequencing1998Marilyn Sadler and Judith ConawayB-83Mercer Mayer's Critters of the Night: Roast & Toast1998Erica Farber and J. R. SansevereB-84Monster Munchies1998Laura NumeroffNate EvansB-85Babe the Sheep Pig: A Little Pig Goes a Long Way1999Mallory LoehrChristopher MoroneyB-86The Land Before Time1999Molly GoodeBeverly Lazor-BahrB-87Riddles and More Riddles!: Previously Published as Bennett Cerf's Book of Riddles and More Riddles 1960/1961/1999Bennett CerfDebbie PalenB-88Flap Your Wings1969/1977/2000P. D. EastmanB-89The Berenstain Bears: That Stump Must Go!2000Stan and Jan BerenstainB-90Paws and Claws2001Erica Farber and J. R. SansevereB-91Thomas and Friends: A Crack In the Track 2001Wilbert AwdryTommy StubbsB-92Big Dog...Little Dog 1973/2003P. D. EastmanB-93Thomas and Friends: Go, Train, Go! A Companion Book to Stop, Train, Stop! 2005Wilbert AwdryTommy StubbsB-94Fred and Ted Go Camping 2005Peter EastmanB-95Mrs. Wow Never Wanted a Cow 2006Martha FreemanSteven SalernoB-96Fred and Ted Like to Fly 2007Peter EastmanB-97The Belly Book 2008Joe HarrisB-98Thomas and Friends: Trains, Cranes & Troublesome Trucks 2008Wilbert AwdryTommy StubbsB-99Have You Seen My Dinosaur?2010Jon SurgalJoe MathieuFred and Ted's Road Trip2011Peter EastmanThe Big Book of Berenstain Bears Beginner Books2011Stan and Jan BerenstainMy Big Book of Beginner Books about Me2011The Big Purple Book of Beginner Books2012B-101A Pet Named Sneaker2013Joan HeilbronerPascal LemaitreThomas' Big Book of Beginner Books2013Squirrels on Skis2013J. Hamilton RayPascal LemaitreThe Big Orange Book of Beginner Books2015The Big Aqua Book of Beginner Books2017B-103DC Super Friends: Catch That Crook2018Laura HitchcockElisabetta Melaranci and Giulia PrioriB-104DreamWorks' Trolls: Too Many Cupcakes2018David LewmanFabio Laguna and Grace MillsB-105What Pet Should I Get?2015/2019Dr. SeussB-106Dr. Seuss's 1232019B-107A Skunk in My Bunk!2019Christopher CerfNicola SlaterB-108Can You See Me?2019Bob StaakeB-109Shut the Door!1993/2020Robert LopshireMaria KaripidouB-110If I Had Your Vote2020Alastair HeimTom BrannonB-111The Pink Book2020Diane MuldrowMike YamadaB-112A Ticket for Cricket2021Molly CoxeB-113If I Ran Your School2021Alastair HeimTom BrannonB-114I Can Be Anything!2021Bob StaakeB-115It's Better Being a Bunny2022Marilyn SadlerTim BowersB-116Busy Street2022Edward MillerB-117If I Were Saint Nick: A Christmas Story2022Alastair HeimTom BrannonB-118How to Love a Pony2023Michelle MeadowsSawyer CloudThe Big Violet Book of Beginner Books2023B-119Bunny with a Big Heart2023Marilyn SadlerTim BowersB-120Dr. Seuss's If You Think There's Nothing to Do2024B-121If I Drove An Ice Cream Truck2024Alastair HeimTom BrannonB-122How to Love a Kitten2024Michelle MeadowsSawyer CloudB-123Hello, Sun2025Lala WatkinsB-124Gertrude Gish on a Dish on a Fish2025Sarah HwangB-125Best Bunny Brother Ever2026Marilyn SadlerTim BowersB-126If It Were My Birthday Party2026Alastair HeimTom BrannonB-127Momo Sees the Sea2026Avani DwivediB-128A Trip with BLIP2026Jerrard K. PolkB-129Dinosaur Day2026Edward MillerB-130Two Chilly Mice2026Lori Haskins Houran
Book Club Grolier Book Club Beginner Book Series Scholastic Book Club Beginner Book Series Early Moments Book Club Beginner Book Series
Bright and Early Books for Beginning Beginners The following books are for younger children and are technically part of the series. The "BE" designation stands for Bright and Early.