The Dinky Donkey: A Board Book Review
As a mom, I’ve come to cherish bedtime routines, those quiet moments tucked into the throes of parenting chaos. Recently, my kids and I sat together, going through our seemingly endless collection of children’s books, searching for the perfect one to read. When I pulled out The Dinky Donkey: A Board Book by Craig Smith, I could practically hear the giggles from my little ones before we even opened the cover. The first line cracks me up every single time: "Wonky Donkey had a child, it was a little girl." With a title like this, how could I not expect a barrel of laughs?
The Dinky Donkey is an adorable follow-up to the viral sensation The Wonky Donkey, and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype! This board book introduces us to the charming antics of the titular character—an adorably chaotic little donkey who’s as “stinky” and “funky” as her father. The playful verses are catchy, filled with whimsical, tongue-twisting rhymes that prompted my children to join in with each repeat. My five-year-old was particularly quick to chime in on the lines, reading along enthusiastically, while my toddler couldn’t help but giggle at the outrageous antics described.
The illustrations by Katz Cowley are bright and engaging, with each page bursting with color and life. My kids were captivated, pointing out the little details hidden in the art, like the silly expressions of the Dinky Donkey and her friends. There’s a page that had us in stitches—imagining a donkey with wild hair bouncing around in a garden of flowers made the whole experience feel like a joyful adventure.
One of my absolute favorite moments happened when we reached a particularly silly line about how the Dinky Donkey made a splash—my kids burst into laughter, mimicking the sounds as I read, “plinky-plonky-winky-tinky pinky funky blinky dinky donkey.” It turned into a little sound game, where we’d take turns trying to recite it faster and faster, while still getting all the words right. Talk about a perfect way to foster language development while also creating silly family memories!
I cannot stress enough how perfect this book is for parents to read aloud. The rhythm is catchy, and the narrative is easy to follow. Not only did my kids love it, but they also connected with the narrative, feeling the excitement and silliness of the little donkey’s adventures.
I would highly recommend The Dinky Donkey for ages two to five, or really any child who enjoys a good giggle and loves animal tales. It’s an especially delightful experience for kids who thrive on interactive read-alouds. This one is definitely not a one-time read; from the laughter to the storytelling, our family has happily added it to our bedtime rotation.
This charming board book has certainly captured our hearts, reminding me that amidst all the chaos of family life, moments of joy and silliness are just a page turn away. So snuggle up with your little ones, and get ready for storytime that will leave you all in fits of laughter!
Discover the delightful adventures of The Dinky Donkey today! >>
