Tiny Hiker

K-Gr 3–Zimmers’s picture book debut follows a young hiker on her first big adventure to the beach. The tiny hiker, a dark-skinned girl, has packed all the essentials, including her beloved stuffed octopus. Using catchy repetition on each page, the text leads readers through “the shady woods, the mossy woods, the leafy woods, into the wild and wonderful woods,” perfectly capturing the rhythm and curiosity of a child exploring nature. Along the way, the girl hides under a fallen log, pauses to watch a slimy snail, asks the classic question “Are we there yet?,” and even collapses mid-hike, wishing she could camp right there. Yet the tiny hiker perseveres and at hike’s end is rewarded with the beauty of the beach, a cozy campfire, and a peaceful night in her tent. MacGibbon’s detailed illustrations bring the story’s emotions and the surrounding nature to life, with expressive speech bubbles conveying her thoughts and delight. Endpapers feature a playful comic-strip sequence of the tiny hiker packing for her trip.