William Joyce does a lot of stuff but children's books are his true bailiwick (The Guardians series, Dinosaur Bob series, George Shrinks, and the #1 New York Times bestselling The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which is also his Academy Award-winning short film, to name a few). He lives in Shreveport, Louisiana. Talk to William Joyce and see upcoming work on Instagram @HeyBillJoyce.

"With his signature retro flair and his tongue firmly in cheek, Joyce has crafted a parable for our times, whose optimistic silliness should prove as potent a pick-me-up as a puppy's nose-lick." --Publishers Weekly "9/2/2024"

Mid-century aesthetics, dreamlike storytelling, and meticulous craft combine to create a peculiar tale of good versus evil. [...] A brisk rhythm keeps the purposely nonsensical plot moving, yet lingering on or returning to each illustration greatly develops the overall narrative. Joyce's inclusion of numerous breeds of dogs, individualized jetpacks for each Rocket Puppy, and fairly obscure (for young readers) pop-culture references (e.g., Laurel and Hardy) provide much to appreciate and discover. A puppy-powered romp.--Horn Book "January/February 2025 Issue"

"In the hands of William Joyce (The Man in the Moon; The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore), over-the-top cuteness becomes a picture-book vehicle for comfort and humor, both of which reach stratospheric heights in Rocket Puppies."--Shelf Awareness
*STARRED REVIEW* "12/27/2024"

"[A]n absolute tonic, filled with enough joy to melt even the unhappiest hearts. The silly yet sophisticated illustrations have a dreamy retro quality that will delight both young readers and their grown-ups. Prescribe this puppy-packed picture book as an ideal antidote to a bad mood." --Booklist "11/1/2024"

"Powered by whimsy and nostalgia, a doggone adorable tale of superheroes transforming the world for the better."--Kirkus Reviews "9/1/2024"

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2024-11-05

Length: 44 pages