Funny picture books for brave little hearts

Stories that make children giggle, try again, and feel brave.

Welcome to the colorful world of Nicole Amir Books — warm, read-aloud picture books for ages 4–7, created for bedtime snuggles, classroom laughs, and children who are still learning that mistakes are part of courage.

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✨ Ages 4–7 🫶 Persistence & friendship 🎭 Funny read-aloud rhythm 🌙 Perfect for bedtime
A Damien Donkey Adventure

Damien Donkey and the Runaway Apple Cart

by Nicole Amir

“Hee-haw! I never give up!”
Featured book

Meet Damien Donkey: clumsy, kind, and impossible to stop.

A bright, funny picture book about persistence, teamwork, and the joyful truth that a child does not have to be perfect to be brave.

Damien Donkey and the Runaway Apple Cart book cover
New picture book

Damien Donkey and the Runaway Apple Cart

When a runaway apple cart rattles through the village on festival day, Damien Donkey charges in to help. But helping is not so easy when hay bales wobble, mud splashes, bakery boxes tumble, and everyone is watching.

With Delia’s quick thinking, Damien’s stubborn heart, and one very messy idea, this sweet adventure shows children that bravery is not about getting everything right. It is about trying again.

4–7 Ideal age range
32 Picture-book pages
Read-aloud Funny bedtime flow
  • ✓Builds resilience without sounding like a lesson.
  • ✓Gives children a repeatable bravery phrase: “Hee-haw! I never give up!”
  • ✓Features friendship, humor, teamwork, and a wonderfully imperfect hero.
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Why parents choose it

A story children enjoy — and parents feel good reading.

Damien’s world is designed for laughter first. The emotional message is tucked inside the action, so children feel the lesson instead of being lectured.

Big visual comedy

Hay bales, mud splashes, flying apples, bakery flour, and a hero who keeps going even when everything goes sideways.

Gentle emotional courage

Damien gets embarrassed, almost loses confidence, and still finds his way forward — a feeling children understand deeply.

Made for reading aloud

Simple rhythm, playful sounds, and a memorable refrain help children join in and ask for “just one more time.”

🫏 Damien Donkey
🍎 Runaway apple cart
🌾 Hay-bale tumble
🦆 Duck pond splash
🥖 Bakery chaos
🏮 Festival lights
💪 “I never give up!”
🫏 Damien Donkey
🍎 Runaway apple cart
🌾 Hay-bale tumble
🦆 Duck pond splash
🥖 Bakery chaos
🏮 Festival lights
💪 “I never give up!”
Nicole Amir, children's book author
Nicole Amir
About the author

Nicole Amir writes for children who are brave, messy, funny, and still growing.

Nicole Amir creates picture books with heart, humor, and strong emotional messages for young readers. Her stories are built for families who want books that entertain children while quietly helping them believe in themselves.

Her work celebrates imperfect courage: the child who tries again after falling, the child who feels embarrassed but keeps going, and the child who learns that kindness and persistence can be stronger than being perfect.

Through the world of Damien Donkey, Nicole is building a warm, colorful series full of friendship, village adventures, read-aloud fun, and characters children can recognize in themselves.

“You do not have to be perfect to be brave. You only have to keep trying.”
Free bonus for families

Download a playful Damien Donkey activity page.

Give children a simple coloring-and-bravery activity after story time. It is perfect for home, classrooms, libraries, and book events.

  • ✓Color Damien and the runaway apples.
  • ✓Practice the “I never give up” bravery sentence.
  • ✓Create a small moment of connection after reading.
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Damien Donkey activity page preview
Parent-friendly promise

Designed for the moments that matter.

Use this section for real reviews once the book launches. Until then, these sample review cards show the kind of social proof the site should collect.

★★★★★

“A funny, warm story about trying again. My child loved saying Damien’s line out loud.”

— Parent review
★★★★★

“The perfect mix of silly and meaningful. Great for bedtime and classroom conversations.”

— Teacher review
★★★★★

“Damien is not perfect, and that is exactly why children connect with him.”

— Reader review
Questions

Everything parents usually want to know.

What age is the book best for?

It is written for ages 4–7, with enough humor for preschoolers and enough emotional depth for early elementary readers.

What is the message of the story?

The story gently shows that bravery does not mean being perfect. Bravery means trying again, asking for help, and using your heart and your head.

Is this a good bedtime book?

Yes. The story has energy, humor, and a reassuring emotional ending, making it a strong choice for bedtime, story time, and classroom read-alouds.

Where can I buy it?

Add your purchase links to the buttons on this page. You can link to Amazon, your own shop, a local bookstore page, Etsy, Gumroad, or any checkout provider.

Will there be more Damien Donkey books?

The character and world are designed for series potential, with more funny adventures, mistakes, friendships, and brave little moments ahead.

Can schools or libraries use it?

Yes. The book is suitable for read-aloud events, resilience lessons, kindness themes, and discussions about persistence and teamwork.

Bring Damien Donkey home today.

A funny, heartfelt picture book for children learning to try again — even when the apples roll, the mud splashes, and the whole village is watching.

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