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Serendipity is a series of children's books about animals and other creatures. The books were written by Stephen Cosgrove and illustrated by Robin James. The books are short stories with colorful illustrations that have a moral perspective.
Cosgrove wrote the books after searching for an easy to read book with a message to read to his then three-year-old daughter. After finding primarily large expensive books, Cosgrove teamed up with illustrator James to create low cost softcover books. After receiving an offer to publish the books only in hardcover, Cosgrove created his own publishing company - Serendipity Press. The first four books of the Serendipity Series were released in December of 1973. They are: Serendipity, The Dream Tree, Wheedle on the Needle, and The Muffin Muncher. Cosgrove merged Serendipity Press with the publishing company, Price/Stern/Sloan (now part of Penguin Random House) in 1978 so that Cosgrove could focus on writing. Cosgrove decided to re-edit his earlier books, which have been republished with the changes. To date, there are 70 books in the series, written from the kindergarten to grade three levels.
The animals in the Serendipity series include bears, cats, dogs, horses, squirrels, rabbits, and mythical creatures such as unicorns, dragons, sea monsters, and pegasus. Cosgrove also invented his own creatures such as the wheedle, hucklebug and kritter. The books present moral issues such as growing up, disabilities, abuse, fear, friendship, prejudice, gossip, fat shaming, and helping the environment.
The book series was adapted into a 26-episode anime series entitled Serendipity the Pink Dragon and 26-episode cartoon series Little Mouse on the Prairie.
At least 25 of the books were translated into Spanish (based on the list in El Dragon Gloton) and at least 6 in Italian (by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore).
List of books in the Serendipity series
| Title | Copyright year | Moral |
|---|---|---|
| Bangalee | 1976 | Best clean up your junk, cause here comes the Grunk! |
| Buttermilk | 1986 | The dark of night can make ordinary things seem scary. |
| Buttermilk Bear | 1995 | An open mind is the key to conquering all kinds of prejudice. |
| Butterwings | 1996 | Laughing at yourself can be the most fun of all. |
| Cap'n Smudge | 1977 | Everyone deserves a chance to do something good. |
| Catundra | 1978 | Healthy food and exercise keep you well in body and mind. |
| Crabby Gabby | 1985 | Having fun while playing a game is more important than winning. |
| Creolé | 1975 | Never, never judge a book by the way you think it's covered, for inside that tattered binding there is a lot to be discovered. |
| Crickle-Crack | 1987 | It's important to know when to say "no". |
| Dragolin | 1984 | You can be your best if you really believe in yourself. |
| Dream Tree | 1974 | Though it is sometimes hard to wait, growing up comes soon enough. |
| Fanny | 1986 | Being handicapped is only a state of mind. |
| Feather Fin | 1983 | There's no place like home. |
| Flutterby | 1976 | Be just who you are. |
| Flutterby Fly | 1984 | Gossip is harmful—and usually filled with lies. |
| Frazzle | 1990 | Children need love and attention from the very beginning. |
| Gabby | 1983 | Silence can be golden. Learn to listen to others. |
| Gigglesnitcher | 1988 | In giving happiness to others, you will find it yourself. |
| Glitterby Baby | 1985 | Sometimes love forces us to make difficult choices. |
| Grampa-lop (a.k.a. Leo the Lop Tail Four) | 1981 | Adults can learn from the magic children have in their hearts. |
| The Gnome from Nome | 1974 | Love and friendship can warm the coldest day. |
| Grumpling | 1989 | Good manners are important. |
| Hucklebug | 1975 | Even though you have chores to do, home is still the place to be. |
| In Search of the Saveopotomus | 1974 | It's best to take only what you need. |
| Jake O'Shawnasey | 1975 | If you believe in yourself, you can do anything. |
| Jalopy | 1990 | Language can sometimes be used as a barrier. |
| Jingle Bear | 1985 | Father Snow will only come when all little bears are asleep. |
| Kartusch | 1978 | Beauty is not only in the eye, but in all of the senses. |
| Kiyomi | 1984 | Conceit can make you blind to what is really beautiful. |
| Lady Rose | 1990 | Those who are gone are never forgotten. |
| Leo the Lop | 1977 | You're special because you're you. |
| Leo the Lop: Tail 2 | 1979 | You are best just who you are. |
| Leo the Lop: Tail 3 | 1980 | You can always play with you. |
| Leo the Lop: Tail 4 (a.k.a. Grampa Lop) | 1981 | Make time for stories and books. |
| Little Mouse on the Prairie | 1978 | Laughter makes work much easier. |
| Maui-Maui | 1978 | Take only what you need from nature. |
| Maynard's Mermaid | 1993 | Your own imagination can be a good friend. |
| Memily | 1987 | Whether you're short, tall or medium, you're perfect just as you are. |
| Ming Ling | 1983 | Sharing your environment with others is rewarding. |
| Minikin | 1984 | You're special just the way you are. |
| Misty Morgan | 1987 | Remember that there is a time for work and a time for play. |
| Morgan and Me | 1975 | Treat others the way you would like them to treat you. |
| Morgan and Yew | 1982 | Love is the most important possession we can have. |
| Morgan Mine | 1982 | To have a friend, you must be a friend. |
| Morgan Morning | 1982 | Sometimes we must lose in order to gain. |
| The Muffin Muncher | 1974 | When we work together there's more to share. |
| Mumkin | 1986 | Fear of losing what you have can rob you of the joy of sharing. |
| Napoleon's Rainbow | 1994 | Don't be afraid of change, it can be beautiful. |
| Nitter Pitter | 1978 | Vanity can cost you friends. |
| Persnickity | 1988 | We each have our own idea of perfection. |
| Pish-Posh | 1986 | Every creature is useful and special in its own way. |
| Poppyseed | 1989 | Being a big brother or sister is a special job. |
| Puddle Pine | 2004 | Protect the forests, for they are important to everyone. |
| Raz-ma-taz | 1982 | Showing off is not a good way to get loving attention. |
| Rhubarb | 1988 | To have a friend, you must be a friend. |
| Sadie | 1994 | True friendship grows out of love, not need. |
| Sassafrass | 1988 | Kindness is always appreciated more than sarcasm. |
| Serendipity | 1974 | Knowing who you really are will bring you happiness. |
| Shimmeree | 1980 | Don't be afraid of what is different from you. |
| Snaffles | 1980 | We all have emotions and show them. |
| Sniffles | 1988 | When we exaggerate everything, we often forget what the truth is. |
| Sooty Foot | 2003 | Friends don't take advantage of each other. |
| Squabbles | 1990 | It is good to help friends in trouble. |
| Squeakers | 1987 | It is important to learn to say "no" to situations that make you uncomfortable. |
| Tee Tee | 1983 | Learning who we are is an important lesson. |
| Tickle's Tale | 1987 | Sometimes too much curiosity can get you into trouble. |
| Trafalgar True | 1980 | Learning to share can bring us closer together. |
| Trapper | 1981 | Everyone can enjoy nature if we all let it be. |
| Wheedle on the Needle | 1974 | Cooperation can solve almost any problem. |
| Zippity Zoom | 1989 | It is important to take the time to enjoy life. |
| Tale of Three Tails | 1973 |
References
- Penguin Books-Stephen Cosgrove. http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000039417,00.html
- "Serendipity" (PDF). www.stephencosgrove.com. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
