Tedd Arnold Books In Order

Publication Order of Fly Guy Books

Publication Order of Fly Guy Presents Books

Publication Order of Huggly Books

Publication Order of Noodleheads Books

Publication Order of Parts Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Picture Books

Tedd Arnold was born in Elmira, New York on January 20, 1949. He grew up with three brothers on the farm they lived on in Pennsylvania, before going back to Elmira when Tedd was ten years old. After that, Tedd’s dad’s job then require that they move down south to Gainesville, Florida; it was here that Tedd took his first art lessons in what used to be a dentist’s office, over a pool hall (that was called HappyHour). He writes and illustrates children’s books. He graduated with a BFA in art from the University of Florida.

Before writing kids books, he was a commercial illustrator. He is married to a kindergarten teacher named Carol who encouraged him to illustrate and write children’s books after drawing his attention to them. He remembered drawing and writing comic books as a kid, and thought that kid’s books might be fun to try. Both of his sons, William and Walter, served as inspiration for some of the stories and characters he has created over the years.

Tedd’s attempts to write his early books did not go so well. It took him six years, from his first time trying to get something down to get things right. He came up with a lot of stories at the time, and sent them off unsolicited to publishers and they all got rejected. He would feel defeated, but would come up with another idea. He kept his day job, though.

One thing that helped him was meeting Peter Elek, who was his agent for many years until Peter died. Another thing that helped, was he saw his son jumping up and down on one of the beds in the house. He told his son that it could cause another cave in, on the floor, to go with the one on the ceiling.

He says that because his wife is a teacher, he is able to see how his books work with kids.

The Fly Guy books came from one of the ideas he had first. It was a group of nonsense color poems. He pulled a story and it became a picture book called “Green Wilma” which was about a girl that becomes a frog that chases a fly in her school. In the back of his mind, he had the idea that it could be a fun thing to have a fly star in a series.

Tedd and his wife were on a trip and he figured out that the car can be great to brainstorm in. His wife drove the car, and he was doodling, when a fly got into the car.

Since the Fly Guy books have come out, he has had many kids tell him that these books are the first that kids want to read by themselves.

His first published book, called “No Jumping on the Bed”, won two awards, including getting picked for Parents Magazine 50 All Time Best Children’s Books. He has also won an Edgar for Best Young Adult Novel in the year 2008 for “Rat Life”, his foray into fiction for young adults.

Tedd Arnold writes the “Fly Guy” series, the “Huggly” series, the “Parts” series, and “Fly Guy Presents” series. He says he wrote “Rat Life” because he was looking to see if he could write a book without using pictures; it was something that was just an experiment, and not something he would pursue.

“Hi! Fly Guy” is the first novel in the “Fly Guy” series and was released in the year 2006. Buzz gets a fly and wants to enter him in The Amazing Pet Show, both the judges and his parents inform him that a fly is no pet. Fly Guy is able to prove them wrong.

Fans of the novel found this to be a tad gross, fast moving, sweet, and funny; which adds up for great reading for kids learning to read. The book has some sections that have big words that will have some kids learning bigger words early on, to help them build their vocabulary earlier.

“Super Fly Guy” is the second novel in the “Fly Guy” series and was released in the year 2006. Fly Guy goes off to school. Is he going to save the day or make trouble?

Some like how the book is about helping others out when they need it. Fans of the novel found this to have a cute story and a great read for kids trying to learn Z sounds. It has illustrations that are funny and appealing to the eye. Great book for kids to read that sends a good message.

“Shoo, Fly Guy!” is the third novel in the “Fly Guy” series and was released in the year 2006. Fly Guy goes home and finds that Buzz has gone off on a picnic without taking him with. He is both sad and hungry, and he goes to look for some of his favorite food. He is shooed off a hamburger, dog bones, roadkill, and a pizza. It makes everyone wonder what his favorite food could possibly even be. Shoo-fly pie, it turns out.

This book is great to show kids descriptive language. Fans of the novel found this to be a funny read, and very enjoyable. Certain gross parts in the books help get the kids interested in what is going on.

“There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy!” is the fourth novel in the “Fly Guy” series and was released in the year 2007. Buzz is visiting with Grandma, and Fly Guy is accompanying him. Grandma goes and swallows Fly Guy, a spider, a bird, a cat, and then a dog.

When she almost swallows a horse, Fly Guy yells Buzz (the only word he can say), Buzz is about to worry. There is nothing that Fly Guy is unable to handle. He gets out, all the other critters follow him. Then there is a big party.

There is more fun stuff in this book, more funny stuff. The pictures help some understand what is going on, and they really add to the whole experience the story gives. Some enjoy learning to read with these books, as they push young readers to learn quicker than some of the other beginner books out there.

One Response to “Tedd Arnold”

1. Joe W.: 3 years ago

   I picked up Fly Guy and the Frankenfly at the Barbara Bush Friends Bookstore. I gave it to my neighbor John, age 7, The next day his Mom called to say that was the first time he had read a book without encouragement/bribe. So, add 1 to your list of new readers.
   A week later I gave John, Green Wilma. He is now a Ted Arnold fan
   Note: I liked them, too. Joe, Age 74.

   Reply