Preorder

Cranky Makes a Friend (Cranky and Friends)

Phuc Tran, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

$19.99

Publication Date: February 4th, 2025

Publisher:

HarperCollins

ISBN:

9780063256309

Pages:

Available for Preorder

Description

In this second picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and acclaimed picture book author Phuc Tran’s bestselling Cranky series, Cranky is feeling extra cranky when a new crane joins the crew.

There’s a new crane on the construction site! His name is Lefty and he's the opposite of Cranky—smiley, talkative, and a jokester. Everything Lefty does makes Cranky feel extra cranky. But everyone else seems to love him. What if Cranky's friends like Lefty more than him?

Find out how self-acceptance and a supportive crew help one cranky truck make a new friend in this humorous story about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships. With Phuc Tran’s hilarious text and Pete Oswald’s bold, expressive illustrations, this read is perfect for fans of Grumpy Monkey and construction vehicles.

About the Author

Phuc Tran is an award-winning writer, tattooer, and Latin teacher (for which he has won no awards). Lots of things make Phuc cranky: being too cold, being too hot, staying up too late, getting up really early, wearing baggy socks, eating jaggedy cereal for breakfast. Cranky is his first children’s book. His memoir, Sigh, Gone, received the New England Book Award and the Maine Literary Award and was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, Audible, and others. Phuc lives in Portland, Maine, with his wife (who is rarely cranky) and his two daughters (who are sometimes cranky). “Phuc” is pronounced like “Luke” but with an F. Learn more at phucskywalker.com.

Pete Oswald is an LA-based artist, kid lit author/illustrator, and production designer. Pete is the illustrator of the Food Group series by Jory John and the Cranky series by Phuc Tran as well as many other picture books. When Pete is not working on books, he is helping to uplift many of the most successful animated franchises as a character designer, concept artist, and production designer. Pete lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and two sons.