The Dance That Only Goes Left
Out April 2027!
Hey, everybody! Are you ready to learn a brand new dance? Just take a step to the left. And another step to the left. And another step to the left. And another, and another, and another…
In this hilarious interactive story, an animal dance crew must figure out how to do “The Step,” and readers are along for the ride, turning the book in all directions and helping Mr. Dancehog figure out right from left. Will this crew ever learn to dance RIGHT?
Surprise Dinosaur!
Out Now!
Surprise Dinosaur loves to surprise people. Heck, “Surprise” is his first name! But he’s also a Tyrannosaurus Rex. So when he sneaks up on humans and roars, they tend to flee in panic. Whoops!
Thankfully, Surprise Dinosaur meets someone with a solution to the whole “terrifying everyone” problem. But will it mean Surprise Dinosaur has to give up his greatest passion? We won’t spoil the surprise for you!
Books
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The Dance That Only Goes Left
For Young Readers (Out April 2027)
Hey, everybody! Are you ready to learn a brand new dance? Just take a step to the left. And another step to the left. And another step to the left. And another, and another, and another…
In this hilarious interactive story, an animal dance crew must figure out how to do “The Step,” and readers are along for the ride, turning the book in all directions and helping Mr. Dancehog figure out right from left. Will this crew ever learn to dance RIGHT?
Words by Lucas Klauss, Pictures by Joseph Namara Hollis
Preorder on Amazon | Preorder at Barnes & Noble | Preorder on Bookshop
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Surprise Dinosaur!
For Young Readers
Surprise Dinosaur loves to surprise people. Heck, “Surprise” is his first name! But he’s also a Tyrannosaurus Rex. So when he sneaks up on humans and roars, they tend to flee in panic. Whoops!
Thankfully, Surprise Dinosaur meets someone with a solution to the whole “terrifying everyone” problem. But will it mean Surprise Dinosaur has to give up his greatest passion? We won’t spoil the surprise for you!
Words by Lucas Klauss, Pictures by Mike Moran
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Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse
For Teen Readers
Phillip’s sophomore year is off to a rough start. One of his best friends ditches him. His track coach singles him out for personalized, torturous training sessions. And his dad decides to clean out all of the emergency supplies from the basement, even though the world could end in disaster at any moment...and even though those supplies are all Phillip has left of his dead mom. Not that he wants to talk about that.
But then Phillip meets Rebekah. She’s cute and smart and might actually like him back. And as Phillip gets closer to Rebekah, he tries harder and harder to turn himself into the kind of person he thinks she wants him to be. But the question is, can he become that person? And does he really want to?
An Amazon Best of the Month selection
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year
“Insightful, humorous, and truthful … Already a skilled polished writer, first-novelist Klauss offers and adult and youth characters that are developed, realistic, and provocative.” – Booklist, starred review
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Coming 2027!
For Middle Grade Readers
What Readers Are Saying
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![Colorful children's book titled "Surprise Dinosaur!" with a cartoon green dinosaur bursting through a blue background, surrounded by words like 'Boom!', 'Roar!', and 'Crash!'.]()
The best dinosaur book of 2025!
“This the best children's picture book I've read this year! Absolutely adorable and sure to become one of your child's favorites. The illustrations are colorful and the text is engaging. There are lots of Dinosaur books on the shelf and this one stands out!”
Sheila K.
via Amazon
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![Cover of a children's book titled "Superprise Dinosaur!" featuring a green cartoon dinosaur with sharp teeth on a red background, with words like "Boom!", "Roar!", and "Crash!" displayed around the dinosaur.]()
My new go to gift for children
“Surprise Dinosaur is an excellent, well written and illustrated book that immediately engages dinosaur lovers of all ages!! It is humorous with a very satisfying ending. It is my new go to book for gift giving. Highly recommend.”
Nancy C.
via Amazon
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![A person holding a red book titled "Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse" by Lucas Klauss. The cover features an illustration of an explosion with flames.]()
Gives you a great opportunity for reflection
“As a reader, I don't require a personal connection to a work of fiction, however, in this case the connection I felt augmented my reading experience. To call this simply a "coming of age story," does not do it justice. It is about growing up but it is also about the tough questions that you have to face in childhood, teenage years, and even into adulthood. The protagonist confronts death, doubt, new experiences, and faith all in a story that many people with a complex childhood (divorce, single parent, strongly religious background, etc.) will find resonance with in his/her life. The author very astutely captures the discomfort in a family that might embarrass you, the search for your own identity, and the attempt to remake yourself into someone else and even for the sake of someone else. The story leaves you with the questions of what you really value and the things that define you. In my mind, these are questions worth exploring at any age and "Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse" might just might give you the prompt to do this.”
Anne S.
via Amazon
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![A red hardcover book titled 'Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse' with a quote by Morgan Matson on the cover, featuring a colorful explosion graphic at the bottom, against a light blue background.]()
Everything you need in young adult for guys
“This is a great book that kept me up late reading because it's funny, nuanced, and extremely well-written. It also really nails what it feels like to be a teenage male trying to deal with girls, school and family. If you like books like "King Dork" by Frank Portman, definitely check this one out.”
Zach M.
via Amazon
Lucas Klauss
Author, Librarian, Dad
Lucas was born and raised in Georgia. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he moved to New York City and received an MFA in Writing for Children from the New School.
Lucas’s grad school thesis project eventually became his young adult novel, Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse (Simon & Schuster). Inspired by his sons, Lucas later began writing picture books, including Surprise Dinosaur! and The Dance That Only Goes Left (Sourcebooks). He’s currently working on several new projects, which he hopes to tell you about soon.
A longtime publishing industry professional, Lucas now works as a children’s librarian. He lives in North Carolina with his family.
I’d love to visit your school, bookstore, library, or festival! I do a high-energy, interactive storytime for Pre-K through 3rd grade, including a silly guessing game and fun surprises. Surprise Dinosaur himself might even stop by for a visit, who knows?
I’m based out of the Charlotte area, but I’m open to virtual visits and other opportunities. Let’s discuss!
Schedule an Author Visit
Get in Touch
Have a question for me? Send a message below! For professional inquiries, please contact my agent, Kate McKean.
