Axl the Axolotl Is Not a Frog

Introducing Axl the Axolotl!

On the first day of school, Axl the Axolotl finds where he belongs in this charming story about learning to love the things that make you different.

It was the first day of school in Flower Bed Lake, and every little creature knew exactly where to go. Everyone, that is, except Axl. The fish, lizards, and frogs all headed to their own schools to learn how to glub glub and ribbit, but there was only one of Axl. Will he ever find where he belongs?

From EGOT-winning songwriters Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, the songwriters behind The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen, and author JP Brammer comes a story of a brave and curious axolotl who is determined to find where he belongs. Brought to life by Vanessa Morales, this is a funny and affirming story about loving the things that make you unique and that finding the place you belong might look different than you expected. Complete with fascinating, kid-friendly facts about axolotls!

Praise for Axl the Axolotl is Not a Frog

"An affirming story about self-acceptance that will reassure young readers struggling to carve out their niche."-- Kirkus reviews

Author: Benj Pasek,Justin Paul,John Paul Brammer
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Published: 04/14/2026
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.92lbs
Size: 10.29h x 10.34w x 0.37d
ISBN: 9780593693223
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 03/20/2026 pg. 1
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2026

About the Author
Oscar and multi-Grammy, Tony, and Emmy winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are songwriters and producers best known for the films La La Land and The Greatest Showman and the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. In 2024, they achieved EGOT status when they won an Emmy for Only Murders in the Building. Their screen credits include Trolls; Spirited; Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile; the live-action Aladdin and Snow White; Pink: All I Know So Far; Harlem; Smash; The Flash; Dear Edward; Welcome to Wrexham; and Sesame Street. For theater, they are the composers of Dogfight, A Christmas Story, James and the Giant Peach, the song cycle Edges, and co-producers of Pulitzer Prize winner A Strange Loop. Among countless honors, they won the Olivier Award and the ASCAP Vanguard Award. They are co-authors of the New York Times bestseller Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel. You can visit Benj and Justin online at PasekAndPaul.com or on Instagram @PasekAndPaul.

John Paul Brammer is an author and illustrator from rural Oklahoma currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He is the author of the popular advice column ¡Hola Papi!, as well as a memoir in essays of the same name, published in 2021 with Simon & Schuster's flagship imprint. He is the winner of the 2022 Brooklyn Public Library Prize for nonfiction, as well as the Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and more. His forthcoming illustrated young adult novel, Samara, is to be published with Farrar, Straus and Giroux. You can follow John Paul on Instagram @JPBrammer.

Vanessa Morales is a Mexican illustrator and character designer with a deep love for nature and all things whimsical. She is the illustrator of Diego Fuego the Firefighting Dragon by Allison and Rafael Rozo and Monster Baker written by Laura Lavoie. Vanessa also works in animation for companies including Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Kodansha VR Lab Japan. Vanessa was born and lives in the south of Mexico in Chiapas, and her artwork draws from the rich nature, culture, and legends of Mexico. You can visit Vanessa online at Phonemova.com or follow her on Instagram @Phonemova.