102 by Cordell, Matthew

*"Utterly entrancing." --Kirkus, starred review
*"Tender and imaginative." --SLJ, starred review
*"Graceful, cozy." --Booklist, starred review
*"A weird and wonderful story." --Horn Book, starred review
*"Pulses with warmth and inventiveness."--PW, starred review

From Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell comes a cozy, magical nighttime adventure, where a child discovers the mysterious, miniature world beyond his bedroom walls. ​

Sent home from school earlier in the day with a fever, George awakens in the middle of the night to discover a cricket beckoning him on an adventure and soon finds himself shrunken down in size. He follows the insect guide through a crack in his bedroom wall, through the moonlit yard, and into the home of a family of mice at the base of an oak tree. There, in a tiny, cozy kitchen, George discovers the meaning of his quest: he must help the Mama mouse complete her special 102-bean soup for her sick young son.

Delightfully sweet as it is fantastic, 102 seamlessly explores the values of curiosity, kindness, and generosity. The simple yet profound conclusion shares a clever wink with readers, encouraging them to believe the unbelievable.

Author: Matthew Cordell
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 04/14/2026
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.03lbs
Size: 9.29h x 10.32w x 0.43d
ISBN: 9780316580953
Audience: Ages 4-8

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 01/12/2026
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2026
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2026
Booklist 02/01/2026
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 47
School Library Journal 11/14/2025 pg. 1

About the Author

Matthew Cordell is the Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator of Wolf in the Snow, Evergreen, Cornbread & Poppy, Wish, and Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers. He is also the illustrator of highly acclaimed children's books such as Every Dog in the Neighborhood (by Philip C. Stead), Bob, Not Bob! (by Audrey Vernick and Liz Garton Scanlon), and Leeva at Last (by Sara Pennypacker). His books have been best-of-the-year selections by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, NPR, and Amazon.com, and have been translated into numerous languages around the world. Matthew lives in suburban Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.