It’s off to the races for this silly dodo bird!
Diego the dodo is joining the island race with his friends for the very first time. With his tiny wings and clumsy feet, how can Diego win?
A children’s story about determination and courage
Will Diego outrun a galloping gazelle? Can he run past a leaping lemur?
In this fun, short story for kids 3 to 8 years old, children grow to love Diego and his animal friends while learning the importance of perseverance and embracing our physical differences.
It’s a bedtime favourite that kids ask to hear again and again.
About the bookWhat kids learn
Life lessons and affirmationsDetermination, courage and self-confidence, plus a page of affirmations to say out loud, like “I am brave” and “I will not give up.”
Animals of the worldWorld maps show where each animal comes from, in their own words.
Action wordsGallop, crawl, fly, leap and roll, with a game matching each animal to how it races.
Sound wordsSwish! Kaboom! Discover onomatopoeia, words that sound like the action they describe.
Search and findDiego is forgetful! Help him find the things he lost around the island.
Endangered animalsFun facts about habitats, endangered species, and how the dodo became extinct.
Take a sneak peek inside
Tap a page to see it up close. We won’t spoil the ending!
The island The animals gather Thomas the tortoise Gina and Kai Harriet the hummingbird Leo the lemur What will Diego do?
Listen to the start of the story
Curl up and hear the first pages read aloud, as Diego and his friends get ready for the big race.
Want to know how a dodo with tiny wings and clumsy feet takes on the fastest animals on the island?
Get the bookA 2-minute read-aloud of the first pages. The rest of the race is in the book!
Meet Diego and his friends
Six animals from six corners of the world line up for the island race.
Loved by humans big and small
What readers and their grown-ups have told us.
“A fun and silly children’s story with diverse characters that kids and parents will enjoy.”
“Wonderful short story for kids with colourful, bold graphics. A great bedtime story for my two girls!”
“What a fun read! It has the perfect amount of silliness, but at the same time teaches young children about perseverance and that we are all unique in our own ways.”
“Had a great time learning about exotic animals from around the world. My kid really enjoyed seeing Diego’s silly expressions.”
“Great way to teach kids about courage and not giving up when faced with a challenge.”
“Diego’s story is one of those books that my kids ask me to read, then read again and again all in one sitting!”
Rated 5 stars by readers on Amazon
“My kids loved getting lost in this book.”
Amazon review
“I really adore this book and my son is obsessed with Diego!”
Amazon review
“I initially bought the book to gift it to my niece but decided to keep that copy for myself and ordered a 2nd one. The illustrations are vibrant.”
Amazon review
“A fun and bright book about Diego who has to race his friends but doesn’t have the talents of the other animals, but his attitude of never give up helps him discover his true talent.”
Amazon review
Fan Favourite, Penelope’s Prize 2021
Readers voted Diego the Dodo and the Island Race the Fan Favourite of the Penelope’s Prize Children’s Book Awards, from a Top 25 shortlist.
Featured by Global News
Tammy and Parveen shared how family shaped Diego’s story for Asian Heritage Month. Read about the coverage
Free activity sheets
Keep the fun going with printable colouring pages, a maze, a word search, tracing and counting sheets.
For parents and teachers
Discussion questions, learning connections and free worksheets to use Diego’s story at home or in class.
Ideas for grown-upsA word from the creators
Tammy wrote Diego’s story in memory of her grandfather. Diego had been on Parveen’s mind for years before she drew him to life.
Read their story