World, meet Pocket Bear.
Meet Pocket, created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle, whose bravery and loyalty lives on long after the war.
From Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Odder and The One and Only Ivan.
Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as “The Cat Burglar,” have seen it all, and then some.
An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.
The One and Only Ruby is getting her very own picture book!
The Littlest Elephant is on sale March 17, 2026.
From the Newbery Award-winning and bestselling author of the modern classic One and Only series comes a gorgeous picture book introducing young readers to Ruby, the beloved baby elephant.
Ruby is the littlest elephant in the herd at the animal sanctuary, where she lives near her best friends Ivan the silverback gorilla and Bob the lovable mutt. Ruby loves all the things that make being an elephant fun, like splashing in muddy puddles and spraying water through her trunk. But there are parts of being an elephant that she doesn’t love so much, like her new tusks.
The herd is preparing for Ruby’s Tuskday, a day to celebrate the fact that Ruby is growing up, and for remembering. Ruby has lots of happy memories, but she also has lots of sad ones, ones that are hard to think about. Surrounded by the love of her herd and her friends, the littlest elephant will see that growing up doesn’t have to be scary, and that remembering the darkness can help us appreciate the light.
This beautiful and poignant story shows readers the importance of honoring the past, cherishing the present, and facing the future without fear.
My new middle grade novel is Wombat Waiting!
On sale May 5, 2026.
From the Newbery Award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan and Odder comes a stunning new middle grade standalone novel about compassion, resilience, and surprising friendships, following a dog named Wombat in the aftermath of a catastrophic fire.
Wombat isn’t actually a wombat—but when the homeless dog is discovered, singed and ash-covered after a terrible fire destroys a community, someone tags her with the nickname and it sticks.
Wombat is a “destiny dog.” Something inside of her (she nicknames it “Voice’) keeps telling her there’s a special someone out there who is meant to be her person.
Surrounded by a devastated town, Wombat takes up residence on bench near the makeshift community center, an old brick warehouse that, for the most part, survived the flames. A small part of the community center evacuation site has been repurposed for the local wildlife rehab sanctuary that burned down. All of the animals were spared, and the temporary quarters include an elderly fruit bat and a young Northern saw-whet owl.
No matter what, Wombat refuses to move from her perch, despite the efforts of many humans. Clearly the dog is waiting for someone. But for whom? And what are the odds they survived?
Fans of modern classics like Because of Winn-Dixie, Pax, and Katherine Applegate’s own Crenshaw and Odder, and timeless tales like Charlotte’s Web, will find a friend in Wombat and her story.
“Books change the world. And so can you.”
In Floyd County, Virginia, the school board canceled their "One Division, One Book" read of wishtree after receiving an outside complaint.
This video is my message to the kids in Floyd County, and to any student experiencing something similar.
The important thing is to remember: Books change the world. And so can you.
“If you ask me, when somebody tells you not to read a book, that is a really good reason to head straight to the library.”
New Books
Wombat Waiting
On sale May 5, 2026
The Littlest Elephant
Picture Book - On sale March 17, 2026
Pocket Bear
On Sale Now
Watch Katherine Applegate read an excerpt from The One and Only Bob.
The One and Only Ivan, adapted by Disney and starring Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Bryan Cranston, Ariana Greenblatt, Helen Mirren, and many more is available digitally for rent or purchase!