Chicago – September 28, 2026 -- Two new picture books from the Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things series hit shelves on November 3, 2026, expanding a children's media franchise built by Emmy-winning creator Angela C. Santomero.
"Bunny Lala's Big Song" and "Pirate Argh's Treasure Hunt" arrive from 4U2B Books & Media, an imprint of Loyola Press, following the success of the show's earlier titles and its YouTube Kids series, which has drawn over 12 million views.
Santomero built her career on Blue's Clues and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Santomero, also known for creating Super Why!, developed Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things as her latest project. The franchise now includes four books total after this release.
Bunny Lala finds her voice in Storybook Meadow
In "Bunny Lala's Big Song," preschool readers return to the series' Storybook Meadow setting as the character discovers the courage to share something personal. The book focuses on themes of self-expression for young readers.
Pirate Argh introduces a new beach setting
"Pirate Argh's Treasure Hunt" takes place in a newly introduced location called Storybook Beach, where Princess Penelope meets a pirate character and searches for buried treasure. The story emphasizes collaboration over individual achievement.
Santomero says kindness and intelligence work together
"Parents want to raise children who can think for themselves and care about other people," Santomero said, describing the goal of prompting kids to ask questions, make choices, and understand that their actions matter. She added that being kind and being smart function together as a child's core strength rather than as separate traits.
The publisher describes the growing book series as "cuddle media," designed to extend the screen-based show into shared reading experiences at home and in classrooms. Both new titles will be available wherever books are sold starting November 3, 2026.