Book by Ethan Long
Meet the wildly creative duo who prove that art is better together. Scribbles and Ink is a celebrated children’s picture book series where a scrappy cat and a tiny mouse discover that making things — and making friends — takes courage, imagination, and a willingness to share the page.
- Laugh-out-loud storytelling perfect for early readers and read-aloud sessions
- Vibrant, hand-crafted illustrations from an internationally recognized author-illustrator
- Books that spark creativity, kindness, and a lifelong love of art
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Scribbles and Ink — Hardcover
Enjoy Scribbles and Ink in a classic hardcover edition. Follow a bold black cat and a small ink-splattered mouse as they explore creativity, collaboration, and the delightful mess of making art together.
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Scribbles and Ink — Kindle Edition
Discover Scribbles and Ink in a convenient Kindle Edition. This playful story follows a black cat and an ink-splattered mouse as their creative partnership takes unexpected turns, celebrating imagination, experimentation, and the fun of creating side by side.
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Scribbles and Ink — Paperback
Bring Scribbles and Ink to life in this paperback edition. With a mischievous black cat, an ink-covered mouse, and plenty of creative chaos, the story captures the excitement of trying new ideas and discovering where imagination can lead.
Check PriceInside the Scribbles and Ink Books
Each book in the series is built around the unlikely friendship between Scribbles, a large and enthusiastic black cat with an artistic streak, and Ink, a tiny but spirited mouse who is never short of ideas. Together they navigate creative challenges, disagreements, environmental adventures, and mystery-box discoveries — always landing on the same lesson: great things happen when you create side by side.
Expressive Hand-Drawn Art
Ethan Long’s illustration style blends loose, energetic line work with bold color to bring every scene to life on the page.
Easy-to-Follow Stories
Simple, punchy text makes each title accessible for emerging readers while keeping adults thoroughly entertained at storytime.
Real-World Themes
From ocean clean-up to thinking outside the box, each story layers genuine ideas beneath the fun so young readers walk away with something to talk about.
How to Read This Book
- 01
Pick Your Book
Start with the original Scribbles and Ink to introduce the characters, then follow the series in any order that appeals to your child’s current interests — ocean adventure, mystery boxes, or simply the core story of friendship.
- 02
Set the Scene
Find a comfortable reading spot with good light. Have some blank paper and crayons or markers nearby — the books naturally inspire young readers to pick up their own creative tools after each session.
- 03
Read Aloud Together
Give Scribbles and Ink distinct voices. The text is short and punchy, so let yourself be dramatic. Pause on the illustrations and invite your child to describe what they see before turning each page.
- 04
Talk It Over
After finishing, ask a few simple questions: Who was your favorite character? What would you have done differently? For the ocean book, talk about ways your family can help the environment in everyday life.
- 05
Create Together
Channel the Scribbles and Ink spirit by making your own artwork together. Draw your own cat-and-mouse duo, design a mystery box, or illustrate a short story. The books are at their best when they spark something new in your child’s hands.
book Reviews
“Our storytime staple”
We read the original Scribbles and Ink so many times the spine is soft. Ethan Long has a gift for packing genuine emotion into just a few words and a brilliantly expressive drawing. My daughter insists on doing the voices herself now.
— Parent of a 5-year-old
“Perfect for the classroom”
I use Clean Up the Ocean as part of an environmental unit and it works beautifully. The kids connect with Scribbles and Ink immediately and the message lands without ever feeling preachy. Highly recommended for K–2 educators.
— Second-grade teacher
“Out of the Box is a gem”
Out of the Box had my kids guessing what was inside before every page turn. The artwork is so full of personality and the ending is genuinely surprising. We went straight to the store to find more books in the series.
— Parent of three readers
About the Author
Ethan Long is an internationally recognized children’s book author and illustrator with over 125 titles to his credit. His books — including Fright Club, Tickle the Duck, One Drowsy Dragon, Big Cat, My Dad My Hero, and Chamelia and the New Kid in Class — have delighted young readers and their families around the world. The Scribbles and Ink series represents some of his most personal and playful work, bringing to life two unforgettable characters whose friendship and creative chemistry mirror Long’s own belief that collaboration makes everything better. His signature loose line work and bold color palette are instantly recognizable, and his ability to tell a complete, emotionally resonant story in the space of a picture book is what keeps readers coming back for every new title.
Whether you are discovering the series for the first time or searching for the next installment to add to a growing collection, the full Scribbles and Ink library is available now.
Visit Official StoreFrequently Asked Questions
What age group are the Scribbles and Ink books best suited for?
The books are ideal for children ages 4 through 8. They work beautifully as parent-child read-alouds for younger children and as independent readers for early readers around age 6 and up.
Do the books need to be read in a specific order?
Each title in the series works as a standalone story, so you can start anywhere. That said, beginning with the original Scribbles and Ink is a wonderful way to meet the characters before joining them on further adventures.
Who is Ethan Long?
Ethan Long is an award-winning American children’s book author and illustrator with more than 125 published titles. He is known for his expressive illustration style, quick wit, and ability to create deeply relatable characters for young readers.
Are these books suitable for classroom use?
Yes. Teachers frequently use Scribbles and Ink titles for read-aloud sessions, creative writing prompts, and thematic units. Clean Up the Ocean in particular lends itself to environmental education for kindergarten through second grade.
How many books are in the Scribbles and Ink series?
The series currently includes the original Scribbles and Ink, Clean Up the Ocean, and Out of the Box, with the collection continuing to grow. Check the store page for the most up-to-date list of available titles.