“Dude Perfect + Panda” series launches with first book Operation Trick Shot releasing in May 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 24, 2026) – Tommy Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, announced today a new middle grade fiction series from internet icons and leading sports entertainment company, Dude Perfect, known for their viral trick shots, epic battles, and wide-ranging family entertainment. Aimed at readers ages 8-12, the Dude Perfect + Panda series brings the beloved Dude Perfect personalities to middle school for new adventures featuring tricks, flips, fist bumps, and more. The first book in the series, titled Operation Trick Shot (ISBN: 9781400217106), releases May 12, 2026, with a follow-up planned for September 2026.
Cory Cotton, Coby Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, Cody Jones, and Tyler Toney—former college roommates at Texas A&M University—founded Dude Perfect, which has grown into a leading entertainment company producing premium, family-friendly content across digital, live, publishing, and theatrical platforms. Over 17 years, the Dudes have built a global franchise reaching more than 115 million fans by creating experiences that bring families together to watch, play, and explore both on and off screen, from sold-out arena tours like Dude Perfect: The Hero Tour, to their bestselling books, Dude Perfect: 101 Tricks, Tips, and Cool Stuff and Good Night, Dude Perfect.
Each book in the Dude Perfect + Panda series features the Dudes embarking on global sports-related mysteries and adventures where they believe they’re saving the day through their special talents. They are unaware that, behind the scenes, their trusty sidekick Panda is helping them succeed. With loads of clean humor, deep friendship, and plenty of sports action, this series kicks off with the five best friends stepping in to save their local gym from a mysterious businessman who wants to close all the free gyms in town.
“Creating epic stories together has always been at the heart of what we do, and this series lets us expand the Dude Perfect universe in a new direction,” said Dude Perfect member Cory Cotton. “For a lot of us, that started with reading, especially mystery books that kept us curious as kids. This series is built around the same values our fans love—fun, teamwork, and imagination—just told through an all-new adventure that kids and families can enjoy together. We know our fans and their families trust us for high-quality, family-friendly entertainment, and we’re excited to deliver that now to readers.”
Featuring bold, comic-style illustrations in each chapter, Operation Trick Shot combines sports, mystery, clean humor, and old-fashioned teamwork in a fast-paced, entertaining story for middle grade readers, while also sharing real-world guidance for navigating sticky situations.
“This next step in our publishing partnership with Dude Perfect is very exciting and offers the best of Dude Perfect’s appeal—sports, hilarity, adventure, friendship—in the pages of a chapter book ideal for their fan base,” said Tommy Nelson publisher Shannon Marchese. “Operation Trick Shot is the first entry in the Dude Perfect + Panda series, and we can’t wait for kids to fall for these books.”
Members of Dude Perfect will celebrate the upcoming publication of Operation Trick Shot at a TalkShopLive pre-sale event LIVE at 6:00pm EST on Monday, March 9. Attendees who purchase a copy of the book during the TalkShopLive event will receive a signed book. For more information, visit talkshop.live/channels/dudeperfect.
For more information, or to receive a review copy of Operation Trick Shot, contact Sarah Van Cleve, Publicity Manager, at sarah.vancleve@harpercollins.com.
For more info and assets about Dude Perfect, see here:
- DP Website: https://dudeperfect.com/
- DP Facebook: www.facebook.com/DudePerfect/ (20M followers)
- DP Instagram: www.instagram.com/dudeperfect/ (13M followers)
- DP YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dudeperfect (61.8M subscribers)
About Dude Perfect
Dude Perfect is the leading creator-led entertainment company focused on family-friendly sports and lifestyle content. Founded in 2009 by five college friends – Tyler Toney, Cory Cotton, Coby Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones – making sports trickshot videos, Dude Perfect’s YouTube channel has become the biggest sports account on YouTube with more than 60 million subscribers. The group has garnered more than 18 billion views across platforms, and has featured celebrities and athletes like Steph Curry, Serena Williams, Luka Doncic, Caitlin Clark, and CeeDee Lamb. Dallas-based Dude Perfect has since expanded into a diversified media business across video content, popular simulcasts for professional sports like the NFL on Amazon, a best-selling toy in Walmart, and live tours.
About Tommy Nelson
Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.
Contact:
Sarah Van Cleve, Publicity Manager
(615) 902-1184
Sarah.VanCleve@harpercollins.com
