Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck! - by Jeff Dorrill (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

1st Place 2026 Purple Dragonfly Awards for Picture Books (6+)

Featured Title, American Book Fest, Picture Book Fiction

1st Place, Firebird Book Awards: Picture Book Award

Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Children's Book

International Impact Book Award - Outstanding Literary Achievement in the Children - Early Reader category

Winner, 2026 American Writing Awards, Children's Book International

Winner, Story Monsters Approved, Picture Book Fiction

1st Place Outstanding Creator Award for Best Children's Book of Spring 2026

Brunt and Eggbert are the happiest pair a boy and a monster could ever be.

Their days are filled with peach cobbler experiments, cozy story times, and endless projects to make their cave feel like home. Life is perfectly peaceful--until their dear friend Astrid, the head zookeeper, shows up at their door with a tiny, chaotic surprise.

She's a little lost monster, and she's a WRECK! Quite literally. From shredding furniture to breaking pottery to gobbling up shoes in a single bite, Wreck turns Brunt and Eggbert's peaceful life upside down. Eggbert can't wait to send Wreck packing, but Brunt isn't so sure. Is Wreck just trouble, or could she be the missing piece their family never knew they needed?

Full of heart, humor, and a whole lot of mess, Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck! is a story about patience, friendship, and discovering that sometimes family comes in the most unexpected (and seemingly disastrous but potentially spectacular) forms.

1st Place 2025 Speak Up Talk Radio International Firebird Book Awards: Monster Mash-Up Award

Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Children's Book

International Impact Book Award - Outstanding Literary Achievement in the Children - Early Reader category

Winner, 2026 American Writing Awards, Children's Book International

Winner, Story Monsters Approved, Picture Book Fiction

1st Place Outstanding Creator Award for Best Children's Book of Spring 2026

Brunt and Eggbert are the happiest pair a boy and a monster could ever be.

Their days are filled with peach cobbler experiments, cozy story times, and endless projects to make their cave feel like home. Life is perfectly peaceful--until their dear friend Astrid, the head zookeeper, shows up at their door with a tiny, chaotic surprise.

She's a little lost monster, and she's a WRECK! Quite literally. From shredding furniture to breaking pottery to gobbling up shoes in a single bite, Wreck turns Brunt and Eggbert's peaceful life upside down. Eggbert can't wait to send Wreck packing, but Brunt isn't so sure. Is Wreck just trouble, or could she be the missing piece their family never knew they needed?

Full of heart, humor, and a whole lot of mess, Brunt and Eggbert Happen Upon a Wreck! is a story about patience, friendship, and discovering that sometimes family comes in the most unexpected (and seemingly disastrous but potentially spectacular) forms.

Review Quotes

"Each page feels purposeful. The full-color illustrations are rich and expressive, and Dorrill's prose adds layers of detail that invite rereads rather than quick skimming."

--Literary Titan, 5-Star Review

About the Author

After years of professional writing, private equity attorney Jeff Dorrill decided it was time to write something without footnotes. Jeff sought to pen an entertaining and emotional children's book about the magic of chosen family, inspired by the many caregivers who played a role in his own rearing.

Jeff resides in Dallas with his spouse Melisa and son Hunter. Jeff's daughter Tenley, son-in-law Ryan and grandchild Vivian live in Houston. Despite the time dedicated to practicing law, studying (Jeff is completing his third master's degree at USC), and writing, Jeff doesn't spend his life behind a desk. He has completed over 40 full Ironmans (in six continents) and has won ten national championships in his age group in endurance races, including three Ultra-Distance Triathlon National Championships. Truer words have never been spoken when Jeff (often) states that his whirlwind circus of activities would undeniably not be possible without the love and support of his family.