Legendary cartoonist Jules Feiffer will follow up his beloved children’s book Bark, George, with a sequel—20 years after his tale of the dog who meowed and oinked first delighted young readers.
Michael di Capua Books, a HarperCollins imprint, will publish Smart George next year. The publisher said the book aims to help children learn numbers.
“In Smart George, when George’s mother asks her son to add one plus one, two plus two, and three plus three, George would rather eat, go for a walk, and take a nap,” the publisher said in a news release. “But soon George finds himself in a colorful dream about . . . numbers!”
Bark, George, about a puppy who can’t produce the signature canine sound, has become a favorite of fans of children’s picture books. It’s one of several titles for young readers that Feiffer has written, although he’s likely best known for the comic strip “Feiffer,” which ran in the Village Voice for nearly four decades.
HarperCollins Children’s Books publisher Suzanne Murphy said she was “honored” to be publishing Feiffer’s newest book. “Jules’ unique style, playful text, and sharp wit make this the perfect follow-up for caregivers and children to share together,” she said.
Feiffer, 90, said he’s not yet done with George. “I spent almost 20 years trying to come up with a sequel to Bark, George,” he said. “Now that I’ve cultivated a knack for sequels, I promise further George stories to come.”
Smart George will be published on June 2, 2020.
Michael Schaub is an Austin, Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
