Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 27, 2026

Jan Thomas

Jan Thomas is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She lives in Socorro, New Mexico and has published three books with Harcourt Trade Publishers: What Will Fat Cat Sit On?, A Birthday for Cow, and The Doghouse; and three with Simon & Schuster's new children's imprint, Beach Lane Books, Can You Make a Scary Face?, Rhyming Dust Bunnies, Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny!, and in September 2011, Is Everyone Ready for Fun?.

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Jan Thomas
Born (1958-09-18) September 18, 1958

Jan Thomas (born September 18, 1958)1 is an American writer and illustrator of children's books.2 She lives in Socorro, New Mexico and has published three books with Harcourt Trade Publishers: What Will Fat Cat Sit On?, A Birthday for Cow, and The Doghouse; and three with Simon & Schuster's new children's imprint, Beach Lane Books, Can You Make a Scary Face?, Rhyming Dust Bunnies, Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny!, and in September 2011, Is Everyone Ready for Fun?.3

Thomas illustrated the 2010 picture book, Let's Count Goats!, written by Mem Fox.

Awards and honors

Six of Thomas's books are Junior Library Guild books: A Birthday for Cow! (2008),4 Rhyming Dust Bunnies (2009),5 Is That Wise, Pig? (2017),6 My Friends Make Me Happy! (2018),7 The Chicken Who Couldn't (2020),8 and Problem Solved! (2024).9

Rhyming Dust Bunnies was named one of the best books of 2009 by Kirkus Reviews.5

Awards for Thomas's writing
Year Title Award Result Ref.
2009 Rhyming Dust Bunnies Goodreads Choice Award for Picture Book Nominee 10
2017 There's a Pest in the Garden! Cybils Award for Easy Readers Finalist 11
2017 What Is Chasing Duck? Cybils Award for Easy Readers Finalist 11
2018 My Toothbrush Is Missing Cybils Award for Easy Readers Finalist 12

Publications

Standalone books

  • What Will Fat Cat Sit On? (2007)
  • The Doghouse (2008)
  • Can You Make a Scary Face? (2009)
  • Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny! (2009)
  • Rhyming Dust Bunnies (2009)
  • Is Everyone Ready for Fun? (2011)
  • Pumpkin Trouble (2011)
  • The Easter Bunny's Assistant (2012)
  • Let's Sing a Lullaby with the Brave Cowboy (2012)
  • Is That Wise, Pig? (2016)
  • The Chicken Who Couldn't (2020)
  • Even Robots Aren't Perfect! (2022)
  • Even Robots Can Be Thankful! (2022)

The Giggle Gang series

  • A Birthday for Cow! (2008)
  • What Is Chasing Duck? (2017)
  • There's a Pest in the Garden! (2017)
  • My Toothbrush Is Missing (2018)
  • My Friends Make Me Happy! (2018)
References

References

  1. "Thomas, Jan, 1958-". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on 2019-12-27. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  2. "Thomas, Jan 1958-". WorldCat Identities. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  3. "Jan Thomas: Official Publisher Page". Simon & Schuster. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  4. "Junior Library Guild : A Birthday for Cow! by Jan Thomas". www.juniorlibraryguild.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  5. "Junior Library Guild : Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas". www.juniorlibraryguild.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  6. "Junior Library Guild : Is That Wise, Pig? by Jan Thomas". www.juniorlibraryguild.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  7. "Junior Library Guild : My Friends Make Me Happy! by Jan Thomas". www.juniorlibraryguild.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  8. "Junior Library Guild : The Chicken Who Couldn't by Jan Thomas". www.juniorlibraryguild.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  9. "Junior Library Guild : Problem Solved! by Jan Thomas". www.juniorlibraryguild.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  10. "Rhyming Dust Bunnies". Goodreads. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  11. "2017 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  12. "2018 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
External links