Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe

Illustrated by Abby Hanlon
Paperback
$7.99 US
| $10.99 CAN
On sale May 05, 2026 | 160 Pages | 9780593857588
Age 7-10 years | Grades 2-5
Reading Level: Lexile 580L | Fountas & Pinnell M

See Additional Formats
Dory joins her first soccer team in this bestselling, laugh-out-loud chapter book series about an imaginative little rascal with a big personality. Perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean!

“Some of the best children’s literature in years.” —New York Magazine


Dory is on her first soccer team with her best friends, Rosabelle and George. She’s ready to score a billion goals, but Rosabelle is having a meltdown over wearing cleats, and George is mysteriously acting like a baby. So, Dory attempts to befriend a new teammate, Valentina. But making a new friend isn’t so easy, especially when Valentina kicks the ball perfectly every time, steals all the attention, and has a way of making a billion sound kinda small. Determined to outshine Valentina as the star of the team, Dory seeks help from her reliable imagination to flip the score.

Complete with pencil-drawn pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious series about a lovably energetic little sister and her antics is sure to keep the whole family laughing.

Be sure to check out the entire Dory Fantasmagory series, which continues to grow alongside everyone’s favorite little rascal, Dory! Look for them all:

Dory Fantasmagory
Dory Fantasmagory: The Real, True Friend
Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep
Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds
Dory Fantasmagory: Tiny Tough
Dory Fantasmagory: Can’t Live Without You
Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe (coming October 2025!)
"Abby Hanlon’s Dory Fantasmagory series is some of the best children’s literature in years." —New York Magazine

Praise for Dory Fantasmagory


“Irresistible.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Time spent with Dory is time well spent.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“AMAZING!” —Betsy Bird, Fuse 8 Blog, School Library Journal

Praise for The Real True Friend

“Hilarious!” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“It’s genius.” —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes Blog

“Dory is as likable a kid heroine as I’ve encountered in a decade.” —Boston Globe

Praise for Dory Dory Black Sheep

“A true triumph.” —Publishers Weekly Shelf Talker

Praise for Head in the Clouds

“Marvelous.” —The New York Times
© Sophie Elbrick
Abby Hanlon taught first grade in the New York public school system. Inspired by her students’ storytelling and drawings, Abby began to write her own stories for children. Her first book was Ralph Tells a Story followed by the Dory Fantasmagory books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their two children. View titles by Abby Hanlon
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

Dory joins her first soccer team in this bestselling, laugh-out-loud chapter book series about an imaginative little rascal with a big personality. Perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean!

“Some of the best children’s literature in years.” —New York Magazine


Dory is on her first soccer team with her best friends, Rosabelle and George. She’s ready to score a billion goals, but Rosabelle is having a meltdown over wearing cleats, and George is mysteriously acting like a baby. So, Dory attempts to befriend a new teammate, Valentina. But making a new friend isn’t so easy, especially when Valentina kicks the ball perfectly every time, steals all the attention, and has a way of making a billion sound kinda small. Determined to outshine Valentina as the star of the team, Dory seeks help from her reliable imagination to flip the score.

Complete with pencil-drawn pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious series about a lovably energetic little sister and her antics is sure to keep the whole family laughing.

Be sure to check out the entire Dory Fantasmagory series, which continues to grow alongside everyone’s favorite little rascal, Dory! Look for them all:

Dory Fantasmagory
Dory Fantasmagory: The Real, True Friend
Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep
Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds
Dory Fantasmagory: Tiny Tough
Dory Fantasmagory: Can’t Live Without You
Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe (coming October 2025!)

Reviews

"Abby Hanlon’s Dory Fantasmagory series is some of the best children’s literature in years." —New York Magazine

Praise for Dory Fantasmagory


“Irresistible.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Time spent with Dory is time well spent.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“AMAZING!” —Betsy Bird, Fuse 8 Blog, School Library Journal

Praise for The Real True Friend

“Hilarious!” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“It’s genius.” —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes Blog

“Dory is as likable a kid heroine as I’ve encountered in a decade.” —Boston Globe

Praise for Dory Dory Black Sheep

“A true triumph.” —Publishers Weekly Shelf Talker

Praise for Head in the Clouds

“Marvelous.” —The New York Times

Author

© Sophie Elbrick
Abby Hanlon taught first grade in the New York public school system. Inspired by her students’ storytelling and drawings, Abby began to write her own stories for children. Her first book was Ralph Tells a Story followed by the Dory Fantasmagory books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their two children. View titles by Abby Hanlon

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
  • More Websites from
    Penguin Random House
  • Common Reads
  • Library Marketing