Laughing Elephant Books
Laughing Elephant Books is an acclaimed independent publisher producing well designed, tactile, and often whimsical books — works that honor the beauty of the printed page and keep the art of bookmaking alive.
Our catalog
We work at the crossroads of classic illustration, children's literature with a little pop culture. Our books are made to be held, treasured, and returned to — objects as much as they are stories.
Our catalog includes landmark titles such as Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Led Zeppelin — a playful yet insightful homage to one of rock's greatest bands — and the beloved Good Dog Carl series by Alexandra Day. The series has earned extensive praise from Publishers Weekly across more than two dozen titles and over six million copies in print.
A storied heritage
Laughing Elephant is the successor to Green Tiger Press, founded in 1970 by Harold and Sandra Darling. Green Tiger gained wide renown for its finely crafted publications and an extraordinary archive of pre-1940s illustrations drawn from antique children's books, vintage posters, and printed ephemera. Titles such as The Unicorn Book, If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow, and The Teddy Bear's Picnic received critical praise in The Los Angeles Times and Smithsonian Magazine.
The Darlings' legacy was honored in 2023 when the La Jolla Historical Society mounted Tigers, Unicorns & Puppy Dog Tales — an exhibition at their Wisteria Cottage museum celebrating Green Tiger Press, the Unicorn Cinema, and the Mithras Bookstore as beloved La Jolla institutions.
After Green Tiger Press was acquired by Simon & Schuster in 1990, the Darlings channeled their vision into the Laughing Elephant brand — and in the early 2000s, re-acquired the Green Tiger imprint, bringing classic works back to life alongside new publications.
The archive
Harold Darling, who passed away in 2016, left behind one of the most remarkable collections in independent publishing — a vast archive of rare books and paper ephemera that continues to inspire every title we produce.
Today
Laughing Elephant remains a family-run enterprise, now helmed by Benjamin and Abigail Darling, who have brought fresh creative energy to the publishing house while honoring the legacy their parents built. We continue to believe that illustration, design, and the physical book are not relics — they are living art forms.
For those who cherish beautifully made books that connect the past with the present,
Laughing Elephant stands as a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship.
Founded 1993 · San Diego · Est. from Green Tiger Press, 1970
The Mithras Bookstore was the precusor to the Green Tiger Press and the genesis of it alll was the love of books and bookselling. Elizabeth Ratisseau, seen in this photo, behind the counter, was an essential part of the Mithras and the La Jolla community.
The early Green Tiger Press was known for its innovative trade show booths and whimsical approach to publishing. Jerry Houck, seen in the center of this photo, worked in every company venture from the Sign of the Sun to the Laughing Elephant.