Mina

Reach for this book when your child seems to have a sharper eye for reality than the adults around them, or when they feel frustrated by being 'the only sensible one' in the family. It is a masterclass in absurdist humor that validates a child's intuition while exploring the sometimes hilarious, sometimes harrowing gap between parent and child perceptions. Mina is a quiet mouse who loves to read and observe. Her father, a well-meaning but hopelessly oblivious dreamer, keeps bringing 'squirrels' into their home that are very clearly large, hungry cats. Through stunning, atmospheric artwork, the story follows Mina's mounting anxiety and her eventual need to take matters into her own hands when her father's misplaced trust puts them in danger. It is a perfect choice for teaching discernment and the importance of trusting one's own instincts.