In The Great Backyard Safari: An Adventure with Haiming & Mickey, I take one ordinary step outside and turn it into a full-scale jungle quest. The story begins with a simple backyard walk, the kind every toddler takes a dozen times a week. But in Haiming's imagination, the grass becomes a wild savanna, the flowerbed hides secret creatures, and the family dog, Mickey, transforms into a brave explorer sidekick.

I wrote this book for those in-between moments when you want more than a counting book, yet still need something gentle and age-appropriate. The sentences are short and lyrical for read-aloud time, and the scenes are rich enough that you can pause on any page to talk about colors, sounds, and all the pretend "animals" hiding in the yard. It works beautifully for toddlers and preschoolers who are just starting to connect the world outside their window with the stories they love.

As you read, you can invite your child to prowl like a backyard tiger, tiptoe past the "swamp" (that little puddle), or peer under leaves to find hidden treasure. The adventure stays safely rooted in familiar surroundings, which makes it ideal for even the most cautious little explorers. Caregivers tell me this story often inspires their children to ask, "Can we go on a safari?" the next time someone reaches for the door.

The Great Backyard Safari is the first title in my Haiming & Mickey toddler adventure series, designed to make everyday life feel wonderfully important and exciting. It pairs especially well with a real walk outside after storytime, where you and your young reader can turn your own backyard, courtyard, or neighborhood patch of grass into the next thrilling chapter.