Night Buddies Book Series
Meet John Degraffenreidt and Crosley, the bright red crocodile who turns up under John’s bed when he isn’t ready to sleep. Together they are the Night Buddies, an unlikely pair who head out after lights out on Programs, the Night Buddies word for adventures. Written by Sands Hetherington, the Night Buddies children’s chapter book series combines fantasy, humor, mystery, strange inventions, unforgettable characters, and plenty of nighttime trouble. Each book sends John and Crosley on a new Program through the Borough and beyond.
Book 1
Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare
by Sands Hetherington, Illustrated by Jessica Love
When pineapple cheesecakes begin disappearing from the world’s only Pineapple Cheesecake Factory, Crosley recruits John for their first Program together. Armed with Crosley’s collection of whatchamacallits, including an I-ain’t-here doodad that makes them invisible, the new Night Buddies head across the Borough to solve the mystery. This first adventure introduces John, Crosley, Big Foot Mae, the Night Buddies’ unusual vocabulary, and the after-lights-out world at the center of the series.
Book 2
Night Buddies, Impostors, and One Far-Out Flying Machine
by Sands Hetherington, Illustrated by Jessica Love
Red crocodiles are suddenly appearing all over the city, causing trouble and making Crosley look guilty. John and Crosley set out to uncover the impostors before Crosley’s reputation is ruined. Their second Program brings stakeouts, wild chases, a far-out flying machine, new characters, and another night of distinctly Night Buddies trouble.
Book 3
Night Buddies Go Sky High
by Sands Hetherington, Illustrated by Jessica Love
A suspicious white dot moving through the night sky catches Big Foot Mae’s attention and sends John and Crosley on a Program unlike any they’ve tackled before. With help from Crosley’s brother Crenwinkle, a time-spreader dingus, and their modified racing blimp, the Night Buddies take their adventure higher than ever before. Book three expands the Night Buddies world from the Borough into the stratosphere while keeping the humor, gadgets, and friendship at the heart of the series.
Book 4
Night Buddies and Evil School Bus #264
by Sands Hetherington, Illustrated by Natalie Leininger
The iguanas are back, and this time they’ve fitted out the flying school bus for some serious mischief around the Borough. With John and Crosley squarely in their sights, the Night Buddies must uncover what the iguanas are planning before it’s too late. John and Crosley return to the skies in their racing blimp for the newest Night Buddies adventure.
Adventures After Lights Out
At the center of every Night Buddies story is the friendship between John and Crosley. John may be ready for anything except bedtime, and Crosley may be the world’s only bright red crocodile, but together they make a pretty good team. Their Programs lead them through mysteries, oddball inventions, unusual foods, eccentric friends, and villains who rarely make anything easy. Readers can begin with the first adventure and follow the series in order, or explore each book’s individual page to meet the characters, watch videos, read reviews, and learn more about that night’s Program.