Back in April, author/illustrator Matthew Cordell re-ignited a mystery that had perplexed the children’s literature community for years:

Surrounded by popular characters in the children’s section, this little dog (/cat/wolf/???) stood out.

Some of the best minds pondered, speculated, and researched.

Some of the best illustrators created alternate stories for the character who had come to be known as L.B.B.

But there was no resolution.

It haunted me.

No one could place this mysterious critter. Many (myself included) began to think it was a one-off creation by B&N and not tied to a children’s book at all.

The story had reached an unsatisfying conclusion. I became resigned to the fact that the world would never know the truth.

Then, out of the blue, I received this tweet from Tally Deushane (@live2tivo):

@100scopenotes We found LBB! He's in the background of Maira Kalman's new book. She used to work for BN. pic.twitter.com/zAcLsvla0h

— Tally Deushane (@live2tivo) November 19, 2015

What?

@100scopenotes This led a bookseller to an older book of hers: https://t.co/hccGbWCmUU #MysterySolved

— Tally Deushane (@live2tivo) November 19, 2015

WHAT?!!!

(Click to enlarge)

L.B.B. is not L.B.B. L.B.B. is Max. Max the dog. A dog who wanted to live in Paris and be a poet.

Closure. Sweet closure.

Thank you to Tally Deushane for getting to the bottom of this mystery.