About the Book

In this photographic friendship adventure, the claymates (two balls of clay) squish, smash, and sculpt themselves into the funniest shapes imaginable. But can they fix a giant mess before they're caught in the act? Full color.

Book Synopsis

Meet the Claymates: two balls of clay that can become anything--even best friends!

What can you do with two blobs of clay? Create something amazing! But don't leave them alone for too long. Things might get a little crazy.

In this photographic friendship adventure, the Claymates squish, smash, and sculpt themselves into the funniest shapes imaginable. But can they fix a giant mess before they're caught in the act?

Review Quotes

* "Petty's punchy, dialogue-only narrative and newcomer Eldridge's expressive sculpture give these clay buddies a surplus of personality.... a giddy mix of naive and naughty."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "The dynamic interaction between the characters invites readers to take risks, push boundaries, and have a little unscripted fun of their own."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Readers and pre-readers alike will be delighted.... the value of play for the sake of play shines above all else."--Shelf Awareness

A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2019 Monarch Award Nominee
A 2018 Wisconsin Library Association Outstanding Book
A 2018-2019 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee

About the Author

Dev Petty is the author of the popular picture book I Don't Want to Be a Frog. She used to work in movies, but now she writes picture books, which are like smaller, paper movies when you think about it. Dev is great at word jumbles, makes a pretty good sandwich, and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, which she thinks is the best place ever.

Lauren Eldridge had to take a break from sculpting blocks of cheese into cats and unicorns to write this bio. She first studied landscape architecture in school but later decided to earn a graduate degree in teaching. Lauren now builds city streets and house dragons in her basement in Madison, Wisconsin. Claymates is her debut picture book.