List of Wishbone books explained

This is a list of children's books based on the TV series Wishbone. All were published by the series' producer, Lyrick Studios, under the imprint name Big Red Chair Books.

Wishbone Classics

The Wishbone Classics series features straightforward adaptations of the original stories that inspired episodes of the show, albeit with humorous commentary from Wishbone inserted in sidebars.

NumberTitleOriginal authorRetold byFirst printedRelated episode(s)
  1. 1
Don QuixoteMiguel de CervantesMichael BurgenMarch 199611. "The Impawssible Dream"
  1. 2
The OdysseyHomerJoanne MatternMarch 19965. "Homer Sweet Homer"
  1. 3
Romeo and JulietWilliam ShakespeareBilly AronsonApril 19964. "Rosie, Oh! Rosie, Oh"
  1. 4
Joan of ArcMark TwainPatrice SeleneJune 199610. "Bone of Arc"
  1. 5
Oliver TwistCharles DickensJoanne MatternJuly 19963. "Twisted Tail"
  1. 6
The Adventures of Robin HoodAnonymousJoanne MatternJuly 199624. "Paw Prints of Thieves"
  1. 7
FrankensteinMary ShelleyMichael BurgenSeptember 199617. "Frankenbone"
  1. 8
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeRobert Louis StevensonJoanne Mattern and Ed ParkerSeptember 199620. "Mixed Breeds"
  1. 9
A Journey to the Center of the EarthJules VerneBilly AronsonOctober 199618. "Hot Diggity Dawg"
  1. 10
The Red Badge of CourageStephen CraneMichael BurganDecember 199631. "A Terrified Terrier"
  1. 11
The Adventures of Tom SawyerMark TwainStephen FuentesDecember 19961.–2. "A Tail in Twain"
  1. 12
IvanhoeSir Walter ScottJoanne MatternJanuary 199713. "Sniffing the Gauntlet"

The Adventures of Wishbone

The Adventures of Wishbone follows the structure of the TV series, switching back and forth between Oakdale and a story of which Wishbone has been reminded. Several are novelizations of television episodes, while others adapt stories not featured in the TV series.

NumberTitleAuthorInspired byWishbone's story roleFirst printedAdapted episode
  1. 1
Be a Wolf!Brad StricklandBeowulfBeowulfJune 1997
When Joe's backpack is confiscated by a neighbor with a big and supposedly very mean dog, Wishbone is reminded of the story of a warrior who had to summon up the courage to face off with a real monster.
  1. 2
Salty DogBrad StricklandTreasure Island by Robert Louis StevensonJim HawkinsJune 199728. "Salty Dog"
Samantha convinces the boys to help her look for "Blackbeard's Horseshoe" inside a condemned barn, reminding Wishbone of another famous search for buried treasure.
  1. 3
The Prince and the PoochCaroline LeavittThe Prince and the Pauper by Mark TwainTom Canty and Edward VI of EnglandJuly 199726. "The Prince and the Pooch"
Believing he would be just as good at coaching as he is at playing, Joe tries to coach a tee-ball team that includes Emily and Tina, reminding Wishbone of the story of two boys who suddenly found themselves living life opposite from what they are used to.
  1. 4
Robinhound CrusoeCaroline LeavittRobinson Crusoe by Daniel DefoeRobinson CrusoeAugust 1997
A blackout means Joe and Wishbone must travel across town in the dark, reminding Wishbone of the story of another young man who was pitted against the forces of nature.
  1. 5
Hunchdog of Notre DameMichael Jan FriedmanThe Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor HugoQuasimodoSeptember 199714. "The Hunchdog of Notre Dame"
Sam befriends and assists the clumsy Nathaniel Bobelesky, and her desire to help the boy despite his differences (and the jealousy of Joe and David) reminds Wishbone of Esmeralda's helping the hunchback Quasimodo.
  1. 6
Digging Up the PastVivian SathreRip Van Winkle by Washington IrvingRip Van WinkleOctober 19979. "Digging Up the Past"
Wishbone and the kids meet Dr. Thelma Brown, an elderly woman who lived in Joe's house as a child, and help dig up a time capsule she once buried. Meanwhile, Dr. Brown's return to a place that has changed in the many years since she was last there reminds Wishbone of the story of Rip Van Winkle.
  1. 7
The Mutt in the Iron MuzzleMichael Jan FriedmanThe Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre DumasPhilippeNovember 1997
Damont Jones is running for class president, and will do anything to keep Joe from running against him. This reminds Wishbone of the story of a prince who would do anything to keep his rival to the throne from claiming it.
  1. 8
Muttketeer!Bill CriderThe Three Musketeers by Alexandre DumasD'ArtagnanDecember 199733. "Muttketeer"
Wishbone tries to join the kids at school, and is reminded of d'Artagnan and his own desire to join a special group.
  1. 9
A Tale of Two SittersJoanne BarkanA Tale of Two Cities by Charles DickensCharles DarnayJanuary 199816. "A Tale of Two Sitters"
Joe and David refuse to properly babysit David's little sister Emily and her friend Tina since it would interfere with their plans. Instead, the girls are left alone, where they wreak havoc on the Talbots' home. These events remind Wishbone of the "best of times" and "worst of times" in A Tale of Two Cities.
  1. 10
Moby DogAlexander SteeleMoby Dick by Herman MelvilleIshmaelFebruary 1998
When someone in a White Whales jacket runs off with Joe's basketball, Wishbone is reminded of another hunt for a white whale.
  1. 11
The Pawloined PaperOlga Litowinsky"The Purloined Letter" by Edgar Allan PoeC. Auguste DupinMarch 199822. "The Pawloined Paper"
Joe tries to get back an embarrassing word puzzle he made before anyone sees it, especially Damont, who intends to use it to humiliate him. This reminds Wishbone of a search for another letter that could ruin the recipient's reputation.
  1. 12
Dog Overboard!Vivian SathreKidnapped by Robert Louis StevensonDavid BalfourApril 1998
When a local boy is accused of spray-painting graffiti all over town, Joe is the only one who knows he is innocent. But revealing it (since he was away from home, where he was supposed to be doing his chores) could get them both in trouble, reminding Wishbone of the story of a young man who also got in trouble in the course of his wanderings.
  1. 13
Homer Sweet HomerCarla JablonskiThe Odyssey by HomerOdysseusJuly 19985. "Homer Sweet Homer"
When Wishbone is taken by Emily Barnes, he is reminded of Odysseus's story. Further inspiration comes from his and the kids' quest to save Jackson Park from developers who want to build a shopping center there, destroying a historical oak tree in the process. First appearance of Mr. King and the Suitor Development Corporation.
  1. 14
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. DogNancy ButcherThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis StevensonGabriel John UttersonJune 199820. "Mixed Breeds"
Wanda falls for an Elvis impersonator named Lou Dublin, jeopardizing her relationship with Mr. Pruitt. Meanwhile, her sudden turn of behavior reminds Wishbone of another story about a man who suddenly begins acting like a different person.
  1. 15
A Pup in King Arthur's CourtJoanne BarkanA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark TwainHank MorganSeptember 1998
Joe and David decide to use a computer to create a new school newspaper that will put the old one to shame. This battle of new ways over old ones reminds Wishbone of another man who tried to modernize the world when he was transported back in time.
  1. 16
The Last of the BreedAlexander SteeleThe Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore CooperHawkeyeJanuary 1999
Mr. King is once again trying to build on Jackson Park, reminding Wishbone of a classic story about the conflict between humankind and nature.
  1. 17
Digging to the Center of the EarthMichael Anthony SteeleA Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules VerneProfessor Otto LidenbrockMarch 199918. "Hot Diggity Dawg"
While helping Wanda plant a new tree in her yard, the kids and Wishbone discover half of a very old medal, and set out to find the other half, as well as where its origin. The discovery of a mysterious artifact reminds Wishbone of his Professor Lidenbrock's adventure began.
  1. 18
Gullifur's TravelsBrad StricklandGulliver's Travels by Jonathan SwiftLemuel GulliverJuly 1999
Joe's basketball team has two more games to win to make it to the playoffs. But one team's players are shorter than average, while the other's are taller, leading to Joe learning a valuable lesson in judging people by their size while reminding Wishbone of the story of a man who was also faced with two groups of people, one small and one large.
  1. 19
Terrier of the Lost MinesBrad StricklandKing Solomon's Mines by H. Rider HaggardAllan QuatermainNovember 1999
When the kids and Wishbone search for an ancient treasure in Oakdale, Wishbone is reminded of Allan Quatermain and his own hunt for a lost treasure.
  1. 20
IvanhoundNancy HolderIvanhoe by Sir Walter ScottIvanhoeJanuary 200013. "Sniffing the Gauntlet"
After an allergic reaction prevents Sam from going to school on the day of a big spelling bee, David must step up to win it for their team. Meanwhile, the class's division over the spelling bee reminds Wishbone of Ivanhoe and his return to England, only to find it divided between the Saxons and Normans
  1. 21
Huckleberry DogAlexander SteeleThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark TwainHuckleberry FinnMarch 2000
When confronted with protecting personal freedom and helping a friend find lost treasure, it reminds Wishbone of the tale of a young boy who tries to escape his unhappy life who befriends a runaway slave.

The Super Adventures of Wishbone

The Super Adventures of Wishbone consists of five double-length books in the style of The Adventures of Wishbone.

NumberTitleAuthorInspired byWishbone's story roleFirst printedAdapted episode(s)
  1. 1
Wishbone's Dog Days of the WestVivian SathreHeart of the West by O. Henry
("A Call Loan," "The Reformation of Calliope," "Cupid à la Carte")
"Long Bill" Longley1998TV movie: Wishbone's Dog Days of the West
After saving a little girl from a falling beam and being treated like a hero, Wanda has to deal with a sneaky TV reporter who tries to make people view her as a tyrant, reminding Wishbone of the story of a man who also has to deal with a sudden bad reputation.
  1. 2
The Legend of Sleepy HollowCarla JablonskiThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington IrvingIchabod CraneOctober 199841.–42. "Halloween Hound"
An encounter with an eerie, abandoned house reminds Wishbone of the setting of one of America's most famous ghost stories.
  1. 3
Unleashed in SpaceAlexander SteeleThe Legion of Space by Jack WilliamsonMay 1999
  1. 4
Tails of Terrorvarious (edited by Kevin Ryan and Pam Pollack)variousSeptember 1999
On Halloween night (following the events of the episode "Halloween Hound"), Wishbone is certain there is a monster afoot. Seeking it out, he is reminded of multiple classic ghost stories.
Note: Unlike all other Adventures of Wishbone books, this is not a novel but a cycle of short stories, each by a different author and based on a different ghost story, as follows:
  • "Grrrreen Tea" by Brad Strickland, inspired by "Green Tea" by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
  • "The Open Doggie Door" by Michael Anthony Steele, inspired by "The Open Door" by Margaret Oliphant
  • "A New Leash on Life" by Mary Ryan, inspired by The Haunted and the Haunters by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • "A Brush with Terror" by Nancy Holder, inspired by "The Portrait Painter's Story" by Charles Dickens
  • "Fearful Fetch" by B. B. Calhoun, inspired by "Wandering Willie's Tale" by Sir Walter Scott
  • "Passenger Pup on the Phantom Coach" by Joanne Barkan, inspired by "The Phantom Coach" by Amelia Edwards
  • "No Noose Is Good News" by Carla Jablonski, inspired by "The Judge's House" by Bram Stoker
  • "Guard Dog of Haunted Hall" by Vivian Sathre, inspired by "The Open Door" by Charlotte Riddell
  1. 5
Twenty Thousand Wags Under the SeaCarla JablonskiTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas by Jules VerneProfessor Pierre AronnaxMay 2000
Wishbone imagines himself as Professor Pierre Aronnax as he discovers Captain Nemo's luxurious and incredible submarine. Along the way, he encounters many dangers and one big adventure.

The Wishbone Mysteries

The Wishbone Mysteries books depart from the structure of the TV series, no longer including Wishbone imagining himself into a story, but exclusively following Wishbone and his human friends in Oakdale. In each book, Joe, Sam, or David reads a novel or short story (usually, but not always, a mystery), with the events of that story inspiring them as they solve a mystery in the present day. In the second book, Joe discovers a box of his late father's favorite mystery stories in their attic, which supplies many of the books he reads throughout the series.

NumberTitleAuthorInspired byRead byFirst printed
  1. 1
The Treasure of Skeleton ReefBrad Strickland and Thomas E. Fuller"The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual" by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleJoeNovember 1997
The old Skeleton Reef Lighthouse in St. George Bay has been donated to the Oakdale Historical Society, and the Talbots and Wanda head down to visit it. Unfortunately, they soon learn they only have a limited time to restore or tear down the building, leading Joe and Wishbone into a search for an ancient treasure that could be the key to saving the lighthouse.
  1. 2
The Haunted ClubhouseCaroline LeavittTen Little Indians by Agatha ChristieJoeNovember 1997
Joe wins an old clubhouse in a raffle, but events soon conspire to make him believe the building is haunted. Meanwhile, he also discovers an old box of his father's favorite mystery books and begins reading them.
  1. 3
Riddle of the Wayward BooksBrad Strickland and Thomas E. FullerThe Haunted Bookshop by Christopher MorleyJoeDecember 1997
When Joe gets a summer job at Mr. Kilgore Gurney's used bookstore, he soon finds himself wrapped up in a mystery as to who is breaking into the store at night, and why.
  1. 4
Tale of the Missing MascotAlexander SteeleThe Hollow Man by John Dickson CarrSamJanuary 1998
When the head is stolen from the mascot's costume for the Bulldogs, Oakdale's football team, it is up to Wishbone and his friends to solve the case.
  1. 5
The Stolen TrophyMichael Jan FriedmanPeril at End House by Agatha ChristieJoeFebruary 1998
Soon after he and his friends (and Damont) make a visit to the home of the new kid in town, Joe discovers that an old basketball trophy has disappeared from the boy's home, and must both find the trophy and determine if the supposed thief is really guilty. Meanwhile, Wishbone encounters and must stand up to a new dog in town who has been stealing things from his golden retriever friend Sparky.
  1. 6
The Maltese DogAnne CapeciThe Maltese Falcon by Dashiell HammettJoeMarch 1998
Someone is playing practical jokes on the basketball team, and when the evidence points to Joe, it is up to Wishbone to clear his name before the pranks affect the team.
  1. 7
Drive-In of DoomBrad Strickland and Thomas E. FullerThe Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery QueenJoeApril 1998
Wanda's friend Gladys Glendower is trying to fix up the old Moonlight Drive-in theater so it can be reopened for business. While helping out with the restoration, Joe and his friends soon discover the theater is being sabotaged to keep it from ever reopening, and become determined to find out who and why.
  1. 8
Key to the Golden DogAnne CapeciThe Moonstone by Wilkie CollinsSamMay 1998
An old model railway set, belonging to a man who has lived in Oakdale almost since it was founded and depicting the town as it was in the early 1900s, goes on display at Pepper Pete's for Oakdale History Month. But when the model's locomotive mysteriously goes missing, Sam and the others must find and recover both the locomotive and a secret it hides, which could also lead to the recovery of a long-lost golden dog charm.
Note: The Moonstone was also adapted into a TV episode, "Moonbone," with a different plot.
  1. 9
Case of the On-Line AlienAlexander SteeleThe War of the Worlds by H. G. WellsDavidJune 1998
After witnessing an eerie glow in the sky and hearing a strange humming sound in the neighborhood, Wishbone is concerned that aliens might invade earth. Meanwhile, David is invited to speak about the potential existence or nonexistence of extraterrestrial life on a local radio show.
  1. 10
The Disappearing DinosaursBrad Strickland and Thomas E. Fuller"Silver Blaze" by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleSamJuly 1998
There is a new dinosaur exhibit at the Oakdale College Museum, including a brand new species that someone wants to make sure is never seen, leading to Joe and his friends setting out to find the culprit.
  1. 11
Lights! CameraAction Dog!Kevin RyanTime and Again by Jack FinneyJoeAugust 1998
Joe is hired for a part in a movie being filmed in Oakdale, but soon winds up searching for the mysterious person sabotaging production.
  1. 12
Forgotten HeroesMichael Anthony Steele"The Adventure of the Norwood Builder" by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleJoeOctober 1998
When he buys an old collection of baseball cards, Joe discovers a few involving the Oakdale Oaks, the champions of Oakdale's Negro league. But attempts to find more information lead to dead ends, and the discovery that someone is trying to keep the Oaks' role in Oakdale's history a secret.
  1. 13
Case of the Unsolved CaseAlexander SteeleThe Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles DickensAllNovember 1998
Things are going missing in Oakdale: a ring that belonged to Joe's late father, a rawhide bone of Wishbone's, and most concerning, David Barnes. Joe, Sam and Wishbone quickly set out to find their friend, while drawing parallels to the mystery novel that all of them had recently read.
  1. 14
Disoriented ExpressBrad Strickland and Thomas E. FullerMurder on the Orient Express by Agatha ChristieJoeDecember 1998
Oakdale College is holding a murder-mystery fundraiser on a train, and Joe and his friends are taking part. But in addition to the fake murder, they soon find themselves wrapped up in the case of a long-missing art treasure from World War II.
  1. 15
Stage InvaderVivian SathreSleeping Murder by Agatha ChristieSamFebruary 1999
Sam is in charge of the Sequoyah Middle School eighth grade production of Grease, the first time that students have had full control of a play. However, she and the others soon find themselves involved in the mystery of who is sabotaging the production.
  1. 16
The Sirian ConspiracyMichael Jan Friedman and Paul KupperbergThe Assassination Bureau by Jack LondonJoeJune 1999
When a mysterious green glow appears over Oakdale for the second time in recent history, U.F.O. fever strikes. Now, Joe and his friends must uncover the truth behind this strange happening, while Wishbone searches for answers about the trouble one of his best canine friends appears to be in.
  1. 17
Case of the Impounded HoundsMichael Anthony Steele"The Adventure of the Six Napoleons" by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleJoeAugust 1999
Wishbone and Joe investigate the disappearance of a dog, only to find that many other dogs have vanished in Oakdale.
  1. 18
Phantom of the Video StoreLeticia GanttThe Phantom of the Opera by Gaston LerouxJoeDecember 1999
Wishbone must discover a mysterious person who is inserting film footage of the people of Oakdale into the video rental movies at the store where Joe works.
Note: The Phantom of the Opera was also adapted into a TV episode, "Pantin' at the Opera," with a different plot.
  1. 19
Case of the Cyber-HackerAnne CapeciThe Thirty-Nine Steps by John BuchanDavidApril 2000
When David is framed for theft by a sneaky computer hacker, he and his friends must track down the real culprit, while Wishbone investigates the case of a dog he believes is being mistreated.
  1. 20
Case of the Breaking StoryAlexander Steele "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans" by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleJoeAugust 2000
When a flu epidemic strikes the staff of the Oakdale Chronicle, Joe and Wishbone are called into detective duty as well as serving as the replacement reporters.

The Wishbone Super Mysteries

Similar to The Super Adventures, The Wishbone Super Mysteries consists of four double-length books in the style of The Wishbone Mysteries.

NumberTitleAuthorInspired byRead byFirst printed
  1. 1
The Halloween JokerAnne CapeciDracula by Bram StokerSamSeptember 1998
As Halloween approaches, a practical joker targets the kids of Oakdale, and the jokes are starting to get out of hand. It is up to Wishbone and his friends to find out who the joker is before the costume party is ruined.
  1. 2
Ghost of Camp Ka NowatoMichael Anthony SteeleA Caribbean Mystery by Agatha ChristieSamApril 1999
Joe, Sam, and David become counselors at a summer camp. However, spooky things arise, and it is up to them, with the help of Wishbone to find out what is really going on.
  1. 3
The Haunting of the Hathaway HouseAlexander SteeleThe House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel HawthorneSamOctober 1999
When Wanda inherits an old, seemingly haunted house in New Hampshire, she, the kids and Wishbone must uncover the truth behind the mysterious events happening there.
  1. 4
Riddle of the Lost LakeJoanne BarkanTom Sawyer, Detective by Mark TwainJoeApril 2000
After finding his father's old journal and learning about the summers he spent at Lost Lake, Joe decides to visit the family's cabin there in order to solve the mystery of what happened to the Talbot family heirloom watch that disappeared there twenty-five years before. But when he, David and Wishbone arrive, they also learn of an auction for one of the pieces of property there, and must figure out who is trying to sabotage potential bidders.

Wishbone: The Early Years

Wishbone: The Early Years is aimed at much younger readers than the other series, and as such are much shorter. The books share the structure of the TV series and The Adventures of Wishbone, but are set several years prior to the TV series, featuring a younger Joe and Wishbone as a puppy. All six are based on folktales or myths and are named directly for the story they adapt.

NumberTitleAdapted byWishbone's story roleFirst printed
  1. 1
Jack and the BeanstalkBrad Strickland and Thomas E. FullerJackSeptember 1999
Wishbone leaves his favorite toy behind at Joe's school. Then, he encounters a custodian he is reminded of in "Jack and the Beanstalk".
  1. 2
The Sorcerer's ApprenticeCarla JablonskiPhilipSeptember 1999
When the pitching machine goes haywire while Joe and his third grade friends are practicing baseball, Wishbone imagines himself as Philip, an apprentice who takes on a powerful, evil sorcerer.
  1. 3
Hansel and GretelVivian Sathre and Rick DuffieldHanselNovember 1999
Trapped in a closet while attending a school carnival with Joe and his other third grade friends, it reminds Wishbone imagining himself as Hansel, trying to rescue himself and his sister, Gretel, from a wicked witch.
  1. 4
The Brave Little TailorVivian SathreThe TailorAugust 2000
  1. 5
AladdinBrad Strickland and Thomas E. FullerAladdinAugust 2000
  1. 6
The Slave and the LionJoanne BarkanAndroclesAugust 2000

2000–2001

From 2000 to 2001, new series were launched, all credited to author A. D. Francis: Wishbone Adventures (replacing The Adventures of Wishbone), Wishbone Mysteries (replacing The Wishbone Mysteries) and Wishbone: Tales of a Pup (replacing Wishbone: The Early Years). A total of nine books were published before all of the series were canceled.

Wishbone Adventures

NumberTitleInspired byWishbone's story roleFirst printedAdapted episode
  1. 1
Curse of GoldOvid's MetamorphosesKing MidasJuly 200036. "The Entrepawneur"
Joe becomes overbearing toward Sam and David when he tries to run a grocery delivery business, reminding Wishbone of another man who let greed get the better of him.
  1. 2
Scent of a VampireDracula by Bram StokerJonathan HarkerOctober 2000

Wishbone Mysteries

NumberTitleInspired byRead byFirst printed
  1. 1
To Sniff a ThiefThe Amateur Cracksman by E. W. HornungSamJuly 2000
  1. 2
Wishbone's Halloween MysteryMarch 2001

Wishbone: Tales of a Pup

Unlike The Early Years, the Tales of a Pup books were not directly titled for their source material, and two of the five were not based on folktales but rather a short story and a novel.

NumberTitleInspired byFirst printed
  1. 1
Wishbone and the Glass Slipper"Cinderella"July 2000
  1. 2
Wishbone and the Forty Thieves"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves"July 2000
  1. 3
Wishbone's The Nutcracker"The Nutcracker" by Alexandre DumasAugust 2000
  1. 4
Wishbone in WonderlandAlice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis CarrollSeptember 2000
  1. 5
Wishbone and the Dancing Princesses"The Twelve Dancing Princesses"June 2001