Jonadab and Rita

by Shirley Hughes

A magical, beautifully illustrated story about the friendship between two very special Jonadab, the donkey who can fly, and Rita, his brave little mouse friend.

Jonadab is a very special toy donkey — he can fly! But Minnie has so many other toys that often Jonadab, and his friend Rita the mouse, finds themselves sad and lonely and left behind in the toy box.

One moonlit night, tired of being ignored, Jonadab flies away and joins a magical fairy feast. But then he can’t get back into Minnie’s room, and he discovers his new fairy friends are not as kind as he thought. Will courageous Rita be able to save Jonadab, and will Minnie realize the value of the toy she has lost?

This is a wonderful new picture book from one of our most popular and best loved storytellers.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2008

About the author

Shirley Hughes is the illustrator of more than two hundred children’s books and has won many prestigious awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. She is the author-illustrator of DON'T WANT TO GO! and OLLY AND ME 1 2 3. She died at her home in London on the 25th of February, 2022.

Reviews

[Jona (w/out an 'h') · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, I have always wanted to find souvenirs with my name engraved on it. However, my name is not particularly a common name, so I was often disappointed when looking for a bicycle tag with my name on it or a mug. I never gave up, and I kept searching until I found this book. Therefore, this book is very dear to my heart as the protagonist first name is the same as mine. Kudos to Shirley Hughes for her well illustrated and beautifully written story about Jonadab and Rita.

[Slow Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is about forgetting about older toys when newer ones arrive. And the newer ones will never stop arriving in a world of cheaper toys and cheaper books... Toys serve their master until they are in tatters or when the master has grown up. So while they are in service, it is great to find a friend to sped time with. In this case, Jonadab found Rita.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

quote from

How was he to know that fairies were famous for their short memories and even shorter friendships? They had simply forgotten him.

#193312

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who wouldn't love a book with characters named Rita and Minnie?