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William Joyce

Bestselling Author • 10 Series • 52 Books

10
Series
52
Books
10
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books
Start with: Rolie Polie Olie (1999)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books
Start with: Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King (2011)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Picture Books
Start with: The Man in the Moon (2010)

About William Joyce

William Joyce is a children’s book author from Shreveport. He came to the attention of literary buffs when his animated short film “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” was the winner of the Academy Award in 2012. Joyce was born in 1957 Shreveport to a family of friendly Southern screwballs. He was born to an eclectic family of actors, artists, geologists, bongo players, opera singers, and photographers and legend had it that he came out of the womb with a pen in his hand. Right from when he was a preschooler, he showed an interest in creative pursuits as he voraciously consumed Maurice Sendak’s works. By the time he was in elementary school, he was making his own drawings. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series, William Joyce 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 William Joyce

Publication Order of Dinosaur Bob Books
4 books 1988–1999
1

A Day with Wilbur Robinson

A Day with Wilbur Robinson continues the Publication Order of Dinosaur Bob Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1988
2

Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo

Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Dinosaur Bob Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1995
3

Life with Bob

Life with Bob is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Dinosaur Bob Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1998
4

Baseball Bob

Baseball Bob is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Dinosaur Bob Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1999
Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books
6 books 2011–2018
1

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King

Conflict and courage define Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books series by William Joyce that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2011
2

E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core!

Conflict and courage define E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core!, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books series by William Joyce that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2012
3

Rise of the Guardians: Made in the North Pole

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books with Rise of the Guardians: Made in the North Pole, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2012
4

Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books with Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2012
5

The Sandman and the War of Dreams

Conflict and courage define The Sandman and the War of Dreams, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books series by William Joyce that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2013
6

Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books with Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2018
Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Picture Books
3 books 2010–2015
1

The Man in the Moon

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Picture Books with The Man in the Moon, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2010
2

The Sandman

The Sandman continues the Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Picture Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2012
3

Jack Frost

Jack Frost continues the Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Picture Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2015
Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books
18 books 1999–2006
1

Rolie Polie Olie

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books with Rolie Polie Olie, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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1999
2

Snowie Rolie

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books with Snowie Rolie, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2000
3

How Many Howdys?

How Many Howdys? is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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2000
4

Little Spot of Color

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books with Little Spot of Color, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2000
5

Polka Dot! Polka Dot!

Polka Dot! Polka Dot! is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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2000
6

Be My Pal

Be My Pal continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2000
7

Olie

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books with Olie, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2000
8

Stick with Olie

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books with Stick with Olie, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2001
9

Spot

Spot continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
10

Billy

Billy continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
11

Zowie

Zowie continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
12

Stick or Treat

Stick or Treat continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
13

Sleepy Time Olie

Sleepy Time Olie continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2001
14

Peekaboo, You!

Peekaboo, You! is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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2002
15

Zowie's 123

Zowie's 123 continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2002
16

Rocket Up, Rolie!

Rocket Up, Rolie! continues the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2002
17

Rolie Polie Shapes

Rolie Polie Shapes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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2002
18

Big Time Olie

Big Time Olie is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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2006
Publication Order of Toothiana Books
4 books 2012–2012
1

A Tooth Is Lost

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Toothiana Books with A Tooth Is Lost, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2012
2

A Queen Takes Flight

A Queen Takes Flight is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Toothiana Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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2012
3

Panic Sets In

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Toothiana Books with Panic Sets In, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2012
4

A Battle Is Waged

Conflict and courage define A Battle Is Waged, an action-packed entry in the Publication Order of Toothiana Books series by William Joyce that puts the heroes through their toughest challenges yet.

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2012
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
1 books 2015–2015
1

Ollie's Odyssey

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Ollie's Odyssey, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2015
Publication Order of Picture Books
12 books 1984–2020
1

William Joyce’s Mother Goose

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with William Joyce’s Mother Goose, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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1984
2

George Shrinks

George Shrinks is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1985
3

Bently and Egg

Bently and Egg is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1992
4

Santa Calls

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with Santa Calls, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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1993
5

The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs

The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Picture Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1996
6

Buddy

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with Buddy, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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1997
7

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2011
8

The Mischievians

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Picture Books with The Mischievians, another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2013
9

The Numberlys

The Numberlys continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2014
10

A Bean, a Stalk and a Boy Named Jack

A Bean, a Stalk and a Boy Named Jack continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2014
11

Billy's Booger

Billy's Booger continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2015
12

Scarecrow and the Nightingale

Scarecrow and the Nightingale continues the Publication Order of Picture Books story arc with William Joyce's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020
Publication Order of Collections
2 books 1997–2000
1

The World of William Joyce Scrapbook

The World of William Joyce Scrapbook is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1997
2

Silly Stories to Tickle Your Funny Bone

Silly Stories to Tickle Your Funny Bone is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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2000
Publication Order of Reading Rainbow Books
1 books 1985–1985
1

George Shrinks

George Shrinks is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Reading Rainbow Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of William Joyce have come to expect.

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1985
Publication Order of Anthologies
1 books 2003–2003
1

It Was a Dark and Silly Night...

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with It Was a Dark and Silly Night..., another outstanding contribution from William Joyce.

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2003

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is William Joyce?

William Joyce is a bestselling author known for 10 book series containing over 52 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Dinosaur Bob Books, Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Books, Publication Order of Guardians of Childhood Picture Books. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best William Joyce series to start with?

For readers new to William Joyce's work, the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 18 books. Begin with Rolie Polie Olie to start from the very beginning.

How many books has William Joyce written?

William Joyce has written over 52 books across 10 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read William Joyce books in order?

Yes, reading William Joyce'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 William Joyce write in?

William Joyce writes primarily in fiction. With 10 series across 52 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are William Joyce's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of William Joyce'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 William Joyce's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, William Joyce's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Rolie Polie Olie Books series. The first book, Rolie Polie Olie, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.