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During his comic book career Barks was requested to produce drawings for three children's books which were all published under his name. They came from Whitman Publishing Company (Western) and from different book series within Whitman's. Barks had nothing to do with the actual text in the books - he only provided drawings and sketches.

1948

Donald Duck and the Boys

Whitman Book 845

48 pages

Synopsis: Donald acts as a successful bill collector until he turns over the business to his nephews as he wishes to go home to relax. Soon after the kids discovers that Donald himself is on their list...

The book was based entirely on the bill collector story from WDCS074. Re-written by an unknown writer in softened language with emphasis on morale and clean living and accompanied by 48 brand-new drawings by Barks. In some points Barks' illustrations did not quite follow the text. One example is Donald's visit to the Wild Woman of Borneo who owes a dental bill for having her teeth sharpened. In his original comic story Barks wrote the same thing, and showed the woman complete with a pointed set of teeth, but in the book they are omitted which seems a bit confusing when reading the text.

1958

Donald Duck and the Christmas Carol

Little Golden Book D84

24 pages

Synopsis: Donald and the nephews are preparing for Christmas but Scrooge hasn't got any time for that nonsense. So they try to get him in the right mood...

The book was a free adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel 'A Christmas Carol' from 1843. Barks, who worked from texts written by Annie North Bedford, merely made detailed pencil sketches for this story which were rendered into watercolours by Norman McGary. Barks furnished 14 single-page and 5 double-page illustrations including title page and imprint page. Originally, the book was supposed to carry the title 'Uncle Scrooge and the Christmas Carol', for which Barks worked on a cover. However, in the end the editors preferred to give Donald the starring role and ordered the cover from a different artist.

1959

The Lemonade King

Top Top Tales 2465

28 pages

Synopsis: Scrooge's lemonade stand at the beach is not going well since a competitor entered the scene. But Scrooge does not give up that easy...

Once again, Barks was working from texts written by Annie North Bedford, and he merely made detailed pencil sketches for the story which were rendered into watercolours by Norman McGary. Barks furnished 17 single-page and 5 double-page illustrations.