An award-winning, nonprofit organization that celebrates the powerful impact books have on young people
Barnett is the author of more than 60 books for children, including “Twenty Questions,” “Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” “A Polar Bear in the Snow” and “Extra Yarn,” as well as the popular “Mac B., Kid Spy” series of novels, “The First Cat in Space” graphic novels and “The Shapes Trilogy” picture books.
During his two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Barnett will celebrate the children’s picture book through his platform, Behold, The Picture Book! Let’s Celebrate Stories We Can Feel, Hear, and See.
See all of Mac’s new and backlist books
See photos from Mac’s 2025 events
See his 2026 tour schedule (coming soon!)
Read more about Mac’s campaign to get adults interested in picture books
Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of “Shape Island,” a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Barnett lives in Oakland, California.
Learn more about the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program.
Meet Mac Barnett and hear about his inspiring platform, "Behold, The Picture Book!"
Videos and Resources for Grown-ups
Find out where Mac Barnett is traveling during his two year term.
Who were our past ambassadors and their platforms?