CYNDI MARKO
Silly books for serious kids!
MY BOOKS
Coming August 2025!
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM Graphic Novel Series
This heartwarming tale follows Mabel, a creative second grader who finds herself being followed by an imaginary elephant.
As Mabel navigates the challenges of feeling left out and adjusting to a new class at school without her best friends, she encounters an unexpected companion—Mr. Elephant, or "Mr. E," who quickly becomes her secret confidant, joining her in handling the ups and downs of everyday life.
Young readers will be captivated by the vibrant illustrations that bring Mabel's inner world to life, complete with an elephant that's a champion at hide-and-seek and has a passion for peanut butter.
LET'S MONSTER UP! Picture Book
Seth the monster is supposed to be scary. Instead, he’s the one who’s scared…of almost everything. His family says he’ll grow out of it, but he’s not so sure. And when his best friend Ruthie’s turtle goes missing, Seth joins the search but worries he’ll be too frightened to be of any help.
The hunt for Flash the turtle takes them across a river, through dark woods, and into a haunted house. Seth still struggles with feeling afraid until he realizes Ruthie is worried, too! No longer alone in his fear, Seth may finally be able to find his courage and monster up for the sake of his friend.
"Readers will adore this warm, comical story reassuring them they can learn to overcome anxieties. Monstrously encouraging, entertaining fun."
— Kirkus Reviews
GILLY'S MONSTER TRAP Picture Book
Gilly loves to flap her flippers in Lighthouse Bay…until a mysterious monster starts menacing the market! It swipes Gilly’s flippers, snatches fish, and nabs nets. So Gilly hatches a plan: she is going to catch the sneaky, rotten monster! With the help of her goldfish, Finnegan, and the townspeople, she builds a trap.
But when things go awry, Gilly discovers she and the monster may have been after the same thing all along—a friend.
"Rendered in sprightly watercolor and ink cartoons, Marko’s action-packed picture book debut features a panoply of compositional styles, lively language, and a protagonist that is the very definition of mettle." — Publishers Weekly
"A cheerful tale certain to ensnare readers." — Kirkus Reviews
BOO! HISS! Graphic Novel Chapter Book
Ghost and Snake live in an old, old house. All by their lonesome, with no one to bother them. They go about their days booing and hissing, until a family—a human one!—moves in and disturbs their peace and quiet. A crying baby? A barking dog? A wailing saxophone?
How will they ever stop all this noise and reclaim their home?
"VERDICT A comical graphic novel for young readers looking for their next spirited paranormal read."— School Library Journal
ALA Round Table Best Graphic Novels for Children 2022
SLOTH SLEUTH Graphic Novel Series
On an island crawling with crime, everyone's a suspect. Luckily, its resident sloth can solve crimes in her sleep (and often does!). Meet Paz, the world's first sloth sleuth. She may be slow . . . but she's always one step ahead of the bad guys.
". . . . honestly, who doesn’t want to see a sloth with a fanny pack on a bouncy ball? Pitch-perfect for the Dog Man set." — Booklist
THIS LITTLE PIGGY: An Owner's Manual Graphic Novel Chapter Book
Brother and Sister want—more than anything—a pet pig. Getting the pig—Snowflake—isn’t all that hard, but keeping it clean, feeding it healthy snacks, and teaching it manners and tricks, proves to be more than these kids bargained for. And they still have to convince their mother!
Watch the trailer here!
"Even those not pie-eyed for pigs will find something to like in this jolly outing. (Graphic/early-reader hybrid. 5-8)"—Kirkus Reviews
Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best 2017 list pick
Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Primary Title
Kung Pow Chicken isn't just any superhero. He's powerful! He's quick-witted! And... he's a chicken! In this hilarious series, ordinary Gordon Blue transforms into Kung Pow Chicken. Kung Pow Chicken and his sidekick, Egg Drop, are an avian dynamic duo that fight crime in the city of Fowladelphia.
KUNG POW CHICKEN #1:
Winner Silver Birch® Express Award 2015
Winner Chocolate Lily Award 2015-2016
Nominated Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award 2017
Nominated Washington State WLMA Otter Award 2017
Kirkus Starred Review
Kirkus Best Books of 2014
An Amazon Best Book of the Month, January 2014
Kellogg's Family Rewards Program Featured Selection 2016-2019
Vancouver Public Library/CWILL-BC Reading Lights Selection 2017
