Jan Wahl

  • 29

    Catalog books

  • 34

    Works

  • 1981 to 2008

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Jan Wahl’s books blend folktale rhythm, sly humor, and oddly memorable characters. From the spare menace of Tailypo! to the quirky inventions in The Furious Flycycle, his stories invite readers into slightly off-kilter worlds where voice and repeated lines make each tale linger.

Wahl moves easily between cozy holiday atmosphere in Christmas Present and playful animal casts in The Singing Geese and Three Pandas. His work favors simple plots that reveal character through sound, repetition, and small, surprising details that reward repeated readings.

Best Place To Start

S.O.s Bobomobile

Tor Books • 1995 • quick commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Playful folktale retellings • Rhythmic, read-aloud picture books • Quirky, memorable characters

Genres and themes: Children’s picture books • Folktales & cumulative stories • Humor & gentle suspense

Who this author is best for: Good for caregivers and teachers looking for lively, sing-song stories that invite repeated readings and audience participation.

Start with a short, popular title like Tailypo! or browse picture-book-length works to sample his voice and pacing.

Top Books To Start With

  1. S.O.s Bobomobile

    Tor Books • 1995 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1995 • 128 pages.

  2. Humphrey's Bear

    Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) • 2005 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2005 • 32 pages.

  3. Christmas Present (Creative Editions) (Creative Editions)

    Creative Co • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 64 pages.

  4. Little Eight John (Picture Puffins)

    Penguin Group USA • 1998 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1998 • 32 pages.

  5. I Met A Dinosaur (Creative Editions)

    Creative Co • 1997 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1997 • 30 pages.

  6. Tailypo! (An Owlet Book)

    Henry Holt & Co • 1996 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1996 • 32 pages.

  7. I Remember!" Cried Grandma Pinky

    Troll Communications Llc • 1995 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1995 • 32 pages.

  8. The Furious Flycycle

    St Martins Pr • 1994 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1994 • 96 pages.

  9. The Six Voyages of Pleasant Field Mouse

    Tor Books • 1994 • quick commitment

    You enjoy Jan Wahl’s whimsical character-driven episodes | You collect illustrated voyage tales or Tor Books’ children’s…

  10. How the Children Stopped the Wars

    Tricycle Pr • 1993 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1993 • 84 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Humphrey's Bear is the easier short commitment, while S.O.s Bobomobile asks for more reading time up front.
  • S.O.s Bobomobile gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Humphrey's Bear leans later in the catalog.
  • Christmas Present (Creative Editions) (Creative Editions) is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from S.O.s Bobomobile.

More Books By Jan Wahl

Browse Next