Andrew McDonald Books In Order

Publication Order of Real Pigeons Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Andrew McDonald

The Australian children’s author Andrew McDonald is well known for his creative and fun stories for younger readers. Understanding his audience well, he creates bright and colorful books for children which really do nurture a keen interest in reading. Writing numerous books, with many of them being illustrated, his style is humorous and entertaining, publishing inventive adventures for readers from all over. Becoming a household name for many, he has a real mastery of his craft, and he has also proven to be a versatile writer as well.

Really having fun with his many different subjects and books, McDonald clearly has a passion for storytelling as a craft. The books are extremely engaging, as they keep their young audience constantly turning each and every page for more. Teaching them reading as well, he’s known for often combining his text with the images themselves, making for a bright and lively design. Setting himself apart from other writers within his field too, he’s made a name for himself as a unique and idiosyncratic writer with something different to say.

There’s lots of colorful characters featuring throughout McDonald’s work too, as they all bring his books to life. Reaching countless readers from around the world as well, his books have a universal appeal, gaining fans from far and wide. Highly regarded by both the critics and the general public alike, he’s well reviewed, with children turning to his books time and time again. With so much more to come still too, he’s a writer with plenty more titles planned upon the horizon, as he’s definitely not finishing.

Early and Personal Life

Born and raised with a keen interest in storytelling, Andrew McDonald would focus on writing for much of his life. Growing up with a passion for reading and writing, he would continually be looking to develop both his craft and his voice. Continually reading children’s literature and Young Adult fiction, he would become well versed in the craft, in time finding his own approach to the format.

Attending an artist’s residency in Caldera Arts in Oregon, America, along with graduating with an RMIT’s Professional Writing and Editing diploma, he’d become well versed at writing too. Gaining a fellowship from the May Gibb’s Literature Trust in Adelaide too, he’d also go on to work in the Readings bookshop in Melbourne, and the Foyle’s bookshop in Charing Cross Road, London. Currently living in Melbourne, Australia, he continues to write to this very day, while also working as a presenter on the Australian school’s circuit.

Writing Career

Starting out with the children’s book ‘The Greatest Blogger in the World,’ he would begin his writing career in 2009, following it up with his second book, ‘Son of Death,’ in 2015. The first series that Andrew McDonald would publish was titled ‘Real Pigeon Fight Crime,’ and it would start his ‘Real Pigeons series of children’s books. Many of his books would also be written with the illustrator Ben Wood, as they would help kids learning to read with their fun and witty stories. Maintaining a strong presence both online and off, McDonald is often found talking and teaching, as he speaks out regularly about his craft.

Real Pigeons Nest Hard

Initially published through the ‘Hardie Grant Egmont’ publishing label, this would first come out in 2019 on the 1st of May. Published for a young audience of readers, it’s a children’s book with illustrations designed by the artist Ben Wood. It’s the third book in the ‘Real Pigeons’ series of books, but they don’t need to be read in order, as they’re easy to pick up at any point.

The crime-fighting birds known as the ‘Real Pigeons’ are back, and this time they”re looking to solve the mystery of vulture theft. More precisely, it seems that someone’s been stealing from a vulture, and they intend to find out who and bring them to justice. Then there’s the case of a missing child lost in the nearby park, along with a family that appears to have been bird-napped. Will they be able to get their own nest in order first though, can they solve the mysteries, and what will happen when the Real Pigeons nest hard?

Fun, colorful, and engaging, this story really has it all when it comes to entertaining children, really giving them an interest in reading. With funny jokes and bright visuals, it’s not only well written, but its illustrations are also extremely bright and lively as well. The story itself is also exciting for a younger audience, keeping them turning the page ready for the nest surprising twist.

Real Pigeons Splash Back

Once again published through the ‘Hardie Grant Egmont’ publishing imprint, this was to be the fourth book in the ‘Real Pigeons’ series. Providing another self-contained mystery adventure for the pigeons to solve, it was also illustrated by the artist Ben Wood. Released on the 1st of September in 2019, it would also pave the way for the fifth book titled ‘Real Pigeons Peck Punches’ in 2020.

Tracking down a demon who is draining every bath within the city, the crime-fighting Real Pigeons must stop him before it’s too late. Not only that, but there’s also a prankster looking to cause problems in the small beach town of Chipopolis, as they need to put a stop to it. Finally, an evil bad guy lurking in the shadows desperately wants to make the entire world go absolutely dotty, and the pigeons must also prevent him from doing so. Will they be able to do it though, can they stop the prankster and demon, and what will happen once the Real Pigeons splash back?

The use of text and pictures is managed really well here, as the two are blended together seamlessly in a highly inventive way. With a strong story too, it’s sure to keep its young audience continually engaged throughout, as there’s lots of jokes to laugh at. Flowing well across the page, the characters are also well managed too, with them being familiar at this point, as they essentially come alive for the reader.