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Leo Lionni

Bestselling Author • 3 Series • 50 Books

3
Series
50
Books
3
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Children's Books
Start with: An Extraordinary Egg (1948)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Step into Reading Books
Start with: Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse (1969)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Anthologies
Start with: Emily, Veronica, Frederick, and Friends (1992)

About Leo Lionni

He spent much of his time as a kid in Amsterdam’s museums, teaching himself to draw. None of his education didn’t include formal art courses. Leo was a well known and respected painter in Italy, working in the avant-garde and Futurism styles from 1931 to 1939. In 1935, he got an economics degree from the University of Genoa. Towards the end of this period, he devoted himself more to advertising design. Starting in 1939, he worked as an art director for several advertising agencies in the United States, where he worked as an art director, at which he was very successful at, acquiring accounts from Chrysler Plymouth and Ford Motors, among others. He commissioned art from Saul Steinberg, Fernand Leger, Alexander Calder, and Willem de Kooning. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Children's Books series, Leo Lionni has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Leo Lionni

Publication Order of Children's Books
48 books 1948–2021
1

An Extraordinary Egg

An Extraordinary Egg is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1948
2

Six Crows

Six Crows continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1949
3

Little Blue and Little Yellow

Little Blue and Little Yellow is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1959
4

Inch by Inch

Inch by Inch is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1960
5

On My Beach There Are Many Pebbles

On My Beach There Are Many Pebbles is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1961
6

Swimmy

Swimmy continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1963
7

Tico and the Golden Wings

Tico and the Golden Wings is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1964
8

Frederick

Frederick is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1967
9

The Alphabet Tree

The Alphabet Tree is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1968
10

The Biggest House in the World

The Biggest House in the World continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1968
11

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1969
12

Fish is Fish

Fish is Fish is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1970
13

Theodore and the Talking Mushroom

Theodore and the Talking Mushroom continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1971
14

The Greentail Mouse

The Greentail Mouse continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1973
15

A Color of His Own

A Color of His Own is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1975
16

In the Rabbitgarden

In the Rabbitgarden continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1975
17

Pezzettino

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Pezzettino, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1975
18

Parallel Botany

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Parallel Botany, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1976
19

A Flea Story

A Flea Story continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1977
20

Geraldine, the Music Mouse

Geraldine, the Music Mouse is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1979
21

Mouse Days: A Book of Seasons

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Mouse Days: A Book of Seasons, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1981
22

Let's Make Rabbits

Let's Make Rabbits is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1982
23

Who?

Who? continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1983
24

When?

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with When?, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1983
25

What?

What? continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1983
26

Where?

Where? continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1983
27

Cornelius

Cornelius continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1983
28

Numbers

Numbers continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1985
29

Words

Words is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1985
30

It's Mine!

It's Mine! continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
31

Nicolas, Where Have You Been?

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Nicolas, Where Have You Been?, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1987
32

Tillie and the Wall

Tillie and the Wall continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1989
33

Matthew's Dream

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Matthew's Dream, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1991
34

A Busy Year

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with A Busy Year, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1992
35

Mr. McMouse

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Mr. McMouse, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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1992
36

Let's Play

Let's Play continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1993
37

Six Lionni Favorites

Six Lionni Favorites is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1995
38

Between Worlds

Between Worlds is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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1997
39

Colors, Numbers, Letters

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Colors, Numbers, Letters, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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2010
40

Leo Lionni's 123

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with Leo Lionni's 123, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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2015
41

A Little Book about Spring

A Little Book about Spring is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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2019
42

A Little Book about ABCs

A Little Book about ABCs continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2019
43

A Little Book about Colors

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Children's Books with A Little Book about Colors, another outstanding contribution from Leo Lionni.

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2019
44

A Little Book about 123s

A Little Book about 123s continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020
45

A Little Book about Opposites

A Little Book about Opposites continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020
46

Where Are Swimmy's Friends?

Where Are Swimmy's Friends? continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2021
47

A Little Book about Winter

A Little Book about Winter is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Children's Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Leo Lionni have come to expect.

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2021
48

Mouse Seasons

Mouse Seasons continues the Publication Order of Children's Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2021
Publication Order of Step into Reading Books
1 books 1969–1969
1

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse continues the Publication Order of Step into Reading Books story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1969
Publication Order of Anthologies
1 books 1992–1992
1

Emily, Veronica, Frederick, and Friends

Emily, Veronica, Frederick, and Friends continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Leo Lionni's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1992

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Leo Lionni?

Leo Lionni is a bestselling author known for 3 book series containing over 50 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Children's Books, Publication Order of Step into Reading Books, Publication Order of Anthologies. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Leo Lionni series to start with?

For readers new to Leo Lionni's work, the Publication Order of Children's Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 48 books. Begin with An Extraordinary Egg to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Leo Lionni written?

Leo Lionni has written over 50 books across 3 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Leo Lionni books in order?

Yes, reading Leo Lionni's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Leo Lionni write in?

Leo Lionni writes primarily in fiction. With 3 series across 50 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Leo Lionni's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Leo Lionni's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Leo Lionni's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Leo Lionni's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Children's Books series. The first book, An Extraordinary Egg, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.