The Dinky Donkey
By Craig Smith
Scholastic Inc. $7.99, 24 pages
In The Dinky Donkey, Craig Smith provides a sequel to his hilarious (and sometimes tongue-tying) book The Wonky Donkey. The Dinky Donkey is the Wonky Donkey’s daughter, and her story is just as cute and funny as her father’s, if not more so. This is a great book for families with toddlers, who will love the silly rhymes, and for kids practicing their reading. The repetition will make it easy, and the rhymes and adorable illustrations will make it fun!
Tiny Feet Between the Mountains
By Hanna Cha
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 40 pages
One day, the sky around Soe-In’s village becomes dark and smoky. Though she is the smallest in her village, she volunteers to go into the mountains to learn what has happened. There, she finds that a spirit tiger has accidentally swallowed the sun, and she must be clever and brave enough to save both her village and the tiger. Hanna Cha’s Tiny Feet Between the Mountains is an endearing story of courage and kindness, not to mention so beautiful you’ll want to come back to it again and again.
Ostriches (Superpower Field Guide)
By Rachel Poliquin
HMH Books for Young Readers, $18.99, 96 pages
Part of a series explaining animal superpowers to kids, Rachel Poliquin’s Ostriches is a must-read for any budding scientist. It introduces kids to the largest bird on Earth and explains how they can outrun a horse and take down a lion. Poliquin’s enthusiasm is infectious, and kids will devour this book, along with the others in the series, Moles and Beavers. (And keep an eye out for Eels!)
Odd Dog Out
By Rob Biddulph
HarperCollins, $17.99, 32 pages
Rob Biddulph’s Odd Dog Out is a delightful book for any child who wants to be (or simply finds themself) different. Filled with cute illustrations and charming rhymes, it tells the story of a dog who feels out of place because she prefers a different style to those around her. She leaves her home in an attempt to find where she belongs, only to realize that sometimes it’s good to stand out. This book is part of an encouraging trend in children’s literature which urges kids to be themselves and hold true to what they love.
Moo, Moo, Chew, Chew: Sounds from the Farm (Tough to Tear)
By Jennifer Shand
Flowerpot Press, $7.99, 32 pages
A perfect book for kids transitioning from board books to paper, Moo, Moo, Chew, Chew by Jennifer Shand draws kids in with familiar farm animals and their sounds (always a big hit with young preschoolers). The colorful text will fascinate them, while the whimsical illustrations will bring a smile to parents’ faces. Beginning readers will be drawn in by the question and answer format, and tear-proof pages will help kids move from sturdy board books to more fragile paper books without making the adults break out the tape every other page.