Little Critter Books in Order
Little Critter is a 75-book series by Mercer Mayer for ages 5–8, at a grades K–4 reading level, with gentle to mild content (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5).
- Books
- 75
- By publication date
- Content intensity
- Gentle to mild
- HootRated 1–2 out of 5 · avg 1.1
Little Critter Reading Order
Series numbers aren't available for most Little Critter books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).
| # | Title | Reading Level | Ages | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All by myself 1983 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 2 | I was so mad 1983 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 3 | Just grandma and me 1983 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 4 | Just grandpa and me A Book for Dads, Grandpas, and Kids 1985 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 5 | Just me and my puppy 1985 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 6 | Just me and my babysitter 1986 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 7 | Baby Sister Says No 1987 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 8 | Happy Easter, Little critter An Easter Book for Kids and Toddlers 1988 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 9 | I just forgot 1988 | Level 2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 10 | Just my friend and me 1988 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 11 | Little Critter's little sister's birthday 1988 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 12 | Little Critter's staying overnight 1988 | Level K-1 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 13 | The Trip 1988 | Level K-1 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 14 | This Is My House (Road to Reading) 1988 · Golden Books | Level K-1 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 15 | Just a daydream 1989 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Mild |
| 16 | Just a nap 1989 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 17 | Just shopping with mom 1989 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 18 | Just a rainy day 1990 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 19 | Just going to the dentist 1990 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 20 | Little Critter's This is my school 1990 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 21 | Just me and my little brother 1991 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 22 | When I grow up 1991 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 23 | Little Critter's the night before Christmas 1992 | Level 3-4 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 24 | The new potty 1992 · Gina Mayer | Level 2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 25 | What a bad dream 1992 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 26 | A very special critter 1993 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 27 | Just a thunderstorm 1993 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 28 | Just Me and My Bicycle (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter Book Club) 1993 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 29 | That's not fair 1993 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Mild |
| 30 | This Is My Friend (Road to Reading) 1993 · Golden Books | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 31 | Trick or treat, Little Critter 1993 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 32 | Just lost! 1994 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 33 | Just me in the tub 1994 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 34 | I am Sharing (Toddler Books) 1995 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 35 | I didn't mean to 1995 · Gina Mayer | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 36 | My Big Sister 2-books-in-1 1995 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 37 | Just go to bed 1996 | Level 2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 38 | Little Critter's the Picnic (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter) 1997 | Level K-1 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 39 | Just a Bad Day 1998 | Level 2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 40 | Just a Little Different 1998 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Mild |
| 41 | Just Like Dad 1998 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 42 | Taking Care of Mom 1998 | Level 2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 43 | Just a bully 1999 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Mild |
| 44 | It's mine 2000 · Gina Mayer | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 45 | This Is My Body 2000 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 46 | A yummy lunch 2001 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 47 | Just a Piggy Bank 2001 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 48 | Just a Snowy Vacation 2001 · Gina Mayer | Level 2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 49 | Little Critter's Christmas Storybook (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter) 2001 · Gina Mayer | Level 3-4 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 50 | Just a secret 2002 · Gina Mayer | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 51 | Just a Baseball Game 2003 · Gina Mayer | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 52 | Just a new neighbor 2003 · Gina Mayer | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 53 | Just Fishing With Grandma 2003 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 54 | Just me and my dad An Inspirational Gift Book 2003 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 55 | Just me and my mom 2003 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 56 | Just a Little Homework 2004 · Gina Mayer | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 57 | Just a school project 2004 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 58 | Little Critter Good for Me and You (Little Critter) 2004 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 59 | Merry Christmas, Little Critter! 2004 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 60 | My trip to the hospital 2005 | Level 3 | 5-8 | Mild |
| 61 | Happy Valentine's Day, little critter! 2006 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 62 | It's Easter, Little Critter! 2006 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 63 | Just so thankful 2006 | Level 3-4 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 64 | Me too! 2006 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 65 | The lost dinosaur bone 2007 | Level 3-4 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 66 | It's Earth Day! 2008 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 67 | The Best Teacher Ever 2008 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 68 | Happy Mothers Day 2009 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 69 | The first day of school 2009 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 70 | Just a little music 2010 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 71 | The Best Yard Sale 2010 | Level 1-2 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 72 | Little Critters: Just a Little Luck 2011 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 73 | You go first 2013 | Level 3-4 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 74 | It's True 2014 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
| 75 | Just a Special Thanksgiving 2016 | Level 2-3 | 5-8 | Gentle |
Content Intensity Across the Series
ConsistentContent stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.
Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Little Critter (75 books by Mercer Mayer) lands at a grades K–4 reading level, with average content intensity 1.1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.
The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.
All Little Critter Books
All by myself
Mercer Mayer
All by myself
Mercer Mayer
I was so mad
Mercer Mayer
I was so mad
Mercer Mayer
Just grandma and me
Mercer Mayer
Just grandma and me
Mercer Mayer
Just grandpa and me
Mercer Mayer
Just grandpa and me
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my puppy
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my puppy
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my babysitter
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my babysitter
Mercer Mayer
Baby Sister Says No
Mercer Mayer
Baby Sister Says No
Mercer Mayer
Happy Easter, Little critter
Mercer Mayer
Happy Easter, Little critter
Mercer Mayer
I just forgot
Mercer Mayer
I just forgot
Mercer Mayer
Just my friend and me
Mercer Mayer
Just my friend and me
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's little sister's birthday
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's little sister's birthday
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's staying overnight
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's staying overnight
Mercer Mayer
The Trip
Mercer Mayer
The Trip
Mercer Mayer
This Is My House (Road to Reading)
Golden Books
This Is My House (Road to Reading)
Golden Books
Just a daydream
Mercer Mayer
Just a daydream
Mercer Mayer
Just a nap
Mercer Mayer
Just a nap
Mercer Mayer
Just shopping with mom
Mercer Mayer
Just shopping with mom
Mercer Mayer
Just a rainy day
Mercer Mayer
Just a rainy day
Mercer Mayer
Just going to the dentist
Mercer Mayer
Just going to the dentist
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's This is my school
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's This is my school
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my little brother
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my little brother
Mercer Mayer
When I grow up
Mercer Mayer
When I grow up
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's the night before Christmas
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's the night before Christmas
Mercer Mayer
The new potty
Gina Mayer
The new potty
Gina Mayer
What a bad dream
Mercer Mayer
What a bad dream
Mercer Mayer
A very special critter
Gina Mayer
A very special critter
Gina Mayer
Just a thunderstorm
Gina Mayer
Just a thunderstorm
Gina Mayer
Just Me and My Bicycle (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter Book Club)
Gina Mayer
Just Me and My Bicycle (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter Book Club)
Gina Mayer
That's not fair
Gina Mayer
That's not fair
Gina Mayer
This Is My Friend (Road to Reading)
Golden Books
This Is My Friend (Road to Reading)
Golden Books
Trick or treat, Little Critter
Gina Mayer
Trick or treat, Little Critter
Gina Mayer
Just lost!
Gina Mayer
Just lost!
Gina Mayer
Just me in the tub
Gina Mayer
Just me in the tub
Gina Mayer
I am Sharing (Toddler Books)
Mercer Mayer
I am Sharing (Toddler Books)
Mercer Mayer
I didn't mean to
Gina Mayer
I didn't mean to
Gina Mayer
My Big Sister
Mercer Mayer
My Big Sister
Mercer Mayer
Just go to bed
Mercer Mayer
Just go to bed
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's the Picnic (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter)
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter's the Picnic (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter)
Mercer Mayer
Just a Bad Day
Mercer Mayer
Just a Bad Day
Mercer Mayer
Just a Little Different
Mercer Mayer
Just a Little Different
Mercer Mayer
Just Like Dad
Mercer Mayer
Just Like Dad
Mercer Mayer
Taking Care of Mom
Mercer Mayer
Taking Care of Mom
Mercer Mayer
Just a bully
Gina Mayer
Just a bully
Gina Mayer
It's mine
Gina Mayer
It's mine
Gina Mayer
This Is My Body
Mercer Mayer
This Is My Body
Mercer Mayer
A yummy lunch
Mercer Mayer
A yummy lunch
Mercer Mayer
Just a Piggy Bank
Mercer Mayer
Just a Piggy Bank
Mercer Mayer
Just a Snowy Vacation
Gina Mayer
Just a Snowy Vacation
Gina Mayer
Little Critter's Christmas Storybook (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter)
Gina Mayer
Little Critter's Christmas Storybook (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter)
Gina Mayer
Just a secret
Gina Mayer
Just a secret
Gina Mayer
Just a Baseball Game
Gina Mayer
Just a Baseball Game
Gina Mayer
Just a new neighbor
Gina Mayer
Just a new neighbor
Gina Mayer
Just Fishing With Grandma
Mercer Mayer
Just Fishing With Grandma
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my dad
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my dad
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my mom
Mercer Mayer
Just me and my mom
Mercer Mayer
Just a Little Homework
Gina Mayer
Just a Little Homework
Gina Mayer
Just a school project
Mercer Mayer
Just a school project
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter
Mercer Mayer
Merry Christmas, Little Critter!
Mercer Mayer
Merry Christmas, Little Critter!
Mercer Mayer
My trip to the hospital
Mercer Mayer
My trip to the hospital
Mercer Mayer
Happy Valentine's Day, little critter!
Mercer Mayer
Happy Valentine's Day, little critter!
Mercer Mayer
It's Easter, Little Critter!
Mercer Mayer
It's Easter, Little Critter!
Mercer Mayer
Just so thankful
Mercer Mayer
Just so thankful
Mercer Mayer
Me too!
Mercer Mayer
Me too!
Mercer Mayer
The lost dinosaur bone
Mercer Mayer
The lost dinosaur bone
Mercer Mayer
It's Earth Day!
Mercer Mayer
It's Earth Day!
Mercer Mayer
The Best Teacher Ever
Mercer Mayer
The Best Teacher Ever
Mercer Mayer
Happy Mothers Day
Mercer Mayer
Happy Mothers Day
Mercer Mayer
The first day of school
Mercer Mayer
The first day of school
Mercer Mayer
Just a little music
Mercer Mayer
Just a little music
Mercer Mayer
The Best Yard Sale
Mercer Mayer
The Best Yard Sale
Mercer Mayer
Little Critters: Just a Little Luck
Mercer Mayer
Little Critters: Just a Little Luck
Mercer Mayer
You go first
Mercer Mayer
You go first
Mercer Mayer
It's True
Mercer Mayer
It's True
Mercer Mayer
Just a Special Thanksgiving
Mercer Mayer
Just a Special Thanksgiving
Mercer Mayer
Series Like Little Critter: What to Read Next
Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.
- I Can Read! (HarperCollins): Level 3 by Jean Little 5 books · Grades 2–3 · gentle content
- Seedling: Early Fluent (Continental Press) by John E. Becker 7 books · Grades 1–2 · gentle content
- Alphakids by Sarah Prince 19 books · Grades K–3 · gentle content
- Read-it! Readers; Life of Max by Adria F. Klein 17 books · Grades 1–2 · gentle content
- Stuart Little; Festival Readers by Laura Driscoll 3 books · Grades 1–2 · gentle content
- Book Bank by Dorothy Butler 3 books · Grades K–4 · gentle content
Enjoy This Series in Other Languages
6 editions available in other languages.
es Spanish (6)
De compras con mamá
Golden Books
De compras con mamá
Golden Books
Little Critter: Just a School Project (Spanish edition): Tan solo un proyecto escolar (Little Critter)
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter: Just a School Project (Spanish edition): Tan solo un proyecto escolar (Little Critter)
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter: Just So Thankful (Spanish edition): Little Critter: Tan agradecido (Little Critter)
Mercer Mayer
Little Critter: Just So Thankful (Spanish edition): Little Critter: Tan agradecido (Little Critter)
Mercer Mayer
Mi primo y yo
Golden Books
Mi primo y yo
Golden Books
Se Me Olvido(Jus Forgot)
Golden Books
Se Me Olvido(Jus Forgot)
Golden Books
Yo Solito (All By Myself)
Golden Books
Yo Solito (All By Myself)
Golden Books
Questions about the Little Critter series
- What reading level is the Little Critter series?
- Little Critter books are at a grades K–4 reading level (average grade level 2), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 5–8. There are 75 books in the series.
- What order should I read the Little Critter books?
- Series numbers aren't available for most Little Critter books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: All by myself (1983); I was so mad (1983); Just grandma and me (1983); Just grandpa and me (1985); Just me and my puppy (1985); and 70 more.
- What age is the Little Critter series appropriate for?
- HootRated recommends Little Critter for ages 5–8. Content is gentle to mild (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.