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This Is Not a Christmas Book* (*This Is a Book About Rocks)
A funny and fresh holiday picture book from #1 New York Times–bestselling author Jory John and award-winning illustrator Pierre Collet-Derby starring a rock-loving lizard who has no interest in being the hero of a Christmas story. Perfect for fans of The Monster at the End of This Book!
This is NOT a Christmas book.
Just so you know.
Just so we’re clear.
This is a book about rocks.
But . . . wait. Hold on. Why is there an elf behind that piece of granite over there? And what are those reindeer doing? And who’s this guy with a twinkle in his eye? Santa?!
Maybe this isn’t a book about rocks after all.
Will a very serious, rock-loving lizard be able to find his holiday spirit?
This laugh-out-loud story will bring some extra sparkle (and giggles) to the most wonderful time of the year. Also, features a double gatefold for readers to open the book just like a Christmas gift!
This is NOT a Christmas book.
Just so you know.
Just so we’re clear.
This is a book about rocks.
But . . . wait. Hold on. Why is there an elf behind that piece of granite over there? And what are those reindeer doing? And who’s this guy with a twinkle in his eye? Santa?!
Maybe this isn’t a book about rocks after all.
Will a very serious, rock-loving lizard be able to find his holiday spirit?
This laugh-out-loud story will bring some extra sparkle (and giggles) to the most wonderful time of the year. Also, features a double gatefold for readers to open the book just like a Christmas gift!
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Jory John
121 books711 followersJory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.
Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.
Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 10, 2026
This style of book has been done enough that I wasn't terribly wowed, but the punch line (the narrator is convinced to deviate from discussing rocks when Santa gives him a lump of coal that thrills his geologist heart) and the fun endpapers are great.
September 4, 2026
This will be a good read aloud for school visits.
October 11, 2026
Adorable
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews