BENNY’S BRIGADE

Illustrated by the creator of Netflix’s Tuca and Bertie and visual director of Bojack Horseman

At recess one day, sisters Elsie and Theo spy a nut wiggling on the ground. Out pops Benny—the world’s smallest and most gentlemanly walrus. After the girls learn that Benny misses his home in the sea, they send him sailing in a milk-carton boat, along with a trusty band of adventure-seeking slugs. Together, Benny’s Brigade (as they call themselves) begin their voyage to a truck-sized island paradise, avoiding the salt water as much as they can. Slugs don’t like salt.

Venture in the world of the real Elsie & Theo with Lisa Hanawalt in this awesome Q&A!

Selected by 100 Scope Notes as a “Wildest Children’s Books of 2012”

“Tiny walruses in nutshells, talking slugs — what’s not to like? If your kids like to giggle at really weird stories, Benny’s Brigade will be right up their alley.”
—Johnathan H. Liu, Wired.com’s GeekDad

“The latest release from McSweeney’s McMullens series is yet another gorgeously designed children’s book, with captivating artwork, a surreal plot, and a dust jacket that unfolds into a poster, revealing gold foil embossed slugs on the cover… I certainly enjoyed discussing the possible sub-plots in this weird, yet charming book.”—Apartment Therapy

“Exuberant…imaginative.”—USA Today’s Pop Candy blog

“No surprise here, [McSweeney’s McMullens] books so far have been every bit as unusual — and beautifully produced — as those on McSweeney’s adult list. Take, for example, Benny’s Brigade, an oversized picture book about two little girls and a veritable menagerie of everyday insects, garden critters and rural animals that morph into a fantastical collection of colourful creatures apparently brought to life by a child’s powers of observation.”
—The Montreal Gazette

”Benny’s Brigade is the best book I have ever read.”
—Sara Kleinschmidt, mom, Cincinnati

“My daughter loves this book. The tiny walrus makes me laugh, and cry.”
—Joel Arquillos, dad, Los Angeles

”Benny’s Brigade charmed the pants off of me.”—Pink Me

“This eccentric, beautifully illustrated story could have been created by a child—quite a compliment.”—ForeWord Reviews