Brian P. Cleary

  • 55

    Catalog books

  • 4

    Works

  • 1996 to 2022

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Brian P. Cleary writes playful, language-focused picture books that invite readers to notice sound, rhythm, and meaning. Chips and Cheese and Nana’s Knees uses bright, silly imagery and tight, rhythmic text to turn everyday language into a small, satisfying reading experience for young children and early readers.

Cleary’s short, humorous lines foreground wordplay and repetition, making his work ideal for read-alouds and classroom sharing. The book pairs energetic illustrations with simple narratives that celebrate curiosity about words, encouraging kids to listen, repeat, and giggle while building confidence with language.

Best Place To Start

Chips and Cheese and Nana's Knees

Lerner Publishing Group • 2015 • 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 rhyme and rhythm • Humorous family scenes • Wordplay that delights young readers

Genres and themes: Picture books • Poetry for children • Family and food humor

Who this author is best for: Great for read-alouds with preschool and early elementary kids who enjoy silly rhymes and cozy family moments.

Start with the pictured title for a light, food-themed read, then explore similar rhyming picture books for more of the same tone.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Chips and Cheese and Nana's Knees

    Lerner Publishing Group • 2015 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2015 • 36 pages.

  2. Yogurt and cheeses and ice cream that pleases

    Millbrook Press • 2011 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2011 • 31 pages.

  3. Lazily, Crazily, Just a Bit Nasally

    Millbrook Press • 2008 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2008 • 32 pages.

  4. On the scale

    Millbrook Press • 2008 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2008 • 31 pages.

  5. Stroll and walk, babble and talk

    Millbrook Press • 2008 • quick commitment

    readers who want a faster first book

  6. How Long or How Wide?

    Millbrook Press • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 32 pages.

  7. Quirky, Jerky, Extra Perky

    Millbrook Press • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 30 pages.

  8. The Laugh Stand

    Millbrook Press • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 48 pages.

  9. Peanut Butter And Jellyfishes

    Millbrook Press • 2006 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2006 • 32 pages.

  10. Witch Had an Itch

    Lerner Publishing Group • 2022 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2022 • 24 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Yogurt and cheeses and ice cream that pleases is the easier short commitment, while Chips and Cheese and Nana's Knees asks for more reading time up front.
  • Yogurt and cheeses and ice cream that pleases gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Chips and Cheese and Nana's Knees leans later in the catalog.
  • Lazily, Crazily, Just a Bit Nasally is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Chips and Cheese and Nana's Knees.

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