Hello, Mr. Dodo!

K-Gr 3—Martha, a budding ornithologist, can identify all sorts of birds. One day, she notices an unfamiliar new species and after a bit of research learns that he is a dodo. Since according to her books, dodos are supposed to be extinct, Martha conceals Mr. Dodo's existence and visits him only in secret. When she accidentally spills the beans to the neighborhood postman, a crowd of spectators arrive at her door, eager to see the rare bird for themselves. In an amusing twist, Martha introduces the mob to an imaginary dodo on her doorstep and then keeps her distance from Mr. Dodo to protect his safety. After a lonely winter, Martha sets out to find her friend and discovers, much to her delight, not one but two birds, along with an egg! The story is altogether charming, and the pacing and comedic timing are spot-on. What's more, Frith's playful, vibrant illustrations are enormously appealing. Printed in bold colors, they have a mid-century feel reminiscent of the work of artists such as Dahlov Ipcar.