Tiny Barbarian: A Hilarious Picture Book About Pretend Play and Childhood Fears for Kids

Tiny Barbarian #1

by Ame Dyckman, Ashley Spires (Illustrator)

Meet Tiny Barbarian! Tiny may be tiny, but he’s MIGHTY! (His imagination is, too!)

When Tiny and his family walk by a retro movie theater poster, Tiny realizes he wants to be:

“A BARBARIAN!” Just like ’80s fantasy movie character BOB THE BARBARIAN!

Tiny doesn’t have Bob’s shining helmet, sturdy club, fuzzy cape, etc.

But Tiny does have: A colander. A paper towel tube. That little rug that goes around the toilet. And a MIGHTY imagination!

Tiny puts them all together, looks in the mirror, and… He is TINY BARBARIAN!

With his Battle Kitty by his side, Tiny Barbarian defends his realm, protects his family, and defeats “A DRAGON!” “A TROLL!” And even, “GIANT BROCCOLI!”

But at bedtime, our brave Tiny Barbarian meets his most challenging foe of all: “THE DARK!”

Can Tiny conquer THIS?!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 13, 2021

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy with a big imagination.

[Roxanne (The Novel Sanctuary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute and silly and funny.

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - Rounded up because the cat looks like Giorgio.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny figures out that he wants to be a barbarian when he grows up. He begins to practice immediately and tackles enemies in the backyard. That night he has to tackle his biggest challenge - the dark. He realized he can go back to being himself and become a barbarian again in the morning.
Fun illustrations show the humor in Dyckman's latest story.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tiny boy with a huge imagination is ready to take on any challenge when he transforms into Tiny Barbarian—with a home-made club and other cool tools. But a club can’t conquer the dark.

A creative, funny, and empowering book with adorable illustrations.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book about an imaginative boy who decides to become a barbarian. He conquers his backyard, including the dragon (garden hose), the troll (trash can) and even a giant broccoli (a bush). But can he conquer his fear of the dark?

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars-- Cute and funny celebration of imaginative play. I really liked the tiny barbarian's assistant, Kitty!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny's parents tell him he can be anything he wants to be when he grows up. When Tiny spots a movie poster for Bob the Barbarian he knows just what he wants to be, and with the right equipment he's going to start now. Tiny the Barbarian will defend his family from any threats that come their way. Though he may need a little help with one.

A humorous story about imaginative play and conquering foes both imagined (like dragons in the backyard that may actually be hoses) and real (like the dark). Kitty is a splendid sidekick, and the expressions on Tiny's parents' faces throughout are comic gold. Hand this to imaginative littles and kids who love humorous tales.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny's parents assure him that he can be whatever he wants to be. So, inspired by an old movie poster, Tiny decides he wants to be -- A Barbarian! Of course, he needs to look like a barbarian. A colander makes a lovely helmet. And who knew that the rug around the toilet would make a perfect barbarian cape? And then, of course, he must defeat all of the enemies in the back yard! The dragon! A Troll! And -- broccoli? But he's not so sure about his most formidable enemy -- The Dark!
Cute! Be prepared to go looking for your bath room rugs, though. They really do make great capes.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute book about the imagination, and the ways that a small child uses it. Tiny sees a poster, and decides that's what he wants to be: a barbarian! Just like in the movies!
With a kitchen collander, a rolled-up cardboard tube, and a piece of bathroom rug, he's all set to defeat dragons, trolls and even giant broccoli. Still, there are things that even a barbarian can't defeat, and that helps to define his imagination as well.
The artwork is great, done by Ashley Spires.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny knows what he wants to be, not when he grows up, but right now! Tiny wants to be a ... barbarian! He goes out to fight the monsters to protect his family. He eats a meal fit for a barbarian. But at the end of the day, even barbarians have to go to bed. But in the dark there are other scary things. What will Tiny do?

This was a cute and funny story. I loved how readers are shown what Tiny imagines, and how things really are. I particularly chuckled at his creative costuming sources.

[Dalila Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Tiny Barbarian" is such a cute and inspiring book! It teaches kids an important lesson about bravery and how sometimes things might seem scary at first, but with courage, we can face and overcome our fears. The illustrations are charming, and the story is simple yet impactful, making it perfect for young readers. I loved how it encourages resilience and confidence in such an engaging way. A great read for kids and parents alike!

[S.K. Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny but mighty book celebrating childhood imagination is the type of story that any child will reach for again and again because it celebrates the inner strength in everyone for conquering fears -- big and small. A must-have book for every collection!

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fun for the tiny barbarian! Love how he conquers all danger in the backyard and his creativity in his barbarian gear. Beware the giant broccoli! Not her best book, but I love anything Ame Dyckman writes.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book and how the illustrator drew the costume for the child. The child acts like a barbarian. Shows how the child conquers using the potty, he conquers new foods, the trash, and finally the dark. Colorful and fun story about the child learning new things.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Ame Dyckman and illustrator Ashley Spires can created an engaging, sympathetic ... barbarian protagonist. Small readers will closely identify with this action oriented Everyman ... er... barbarian.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super-cute book about a boy who becomes a barbarian and fights off the things that scare him. Would be an awesome storytime book! (Now I'm wondering how to do a D&D themed storytime :D)

Storytime Themes: Imagination, Feelings, Dragons... D&D(?)

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When his parents tell Tiny that he can be anything, he realizes that Barbarian isn't off the table. Tiny Barbarian is strong, protective and bold... at least until bedtime.

This is a silly book perfect for bedtime.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story demonstrating the delights and strengths of a good imagination and how play helps us practice conquering scary things.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conquests of a tiny but mighty little boy.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiny Barbarian conquers his biggest fear, the dark!

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Andrea Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't quite as delightful as The New Kid Has Fleas but it is pretty cute. I love how the narrator crafts his barbarian outfit. Cute, but not revolutionary.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiny has imagination!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiny Barbarian conquers his fear of the dark.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, cute, and my kids asked me to reread it (the highest compliment a PB can receive).

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as charming as Dyckman's other stories, but cute. A good example of the traditional story arc. The narrative rule of threes aboundeth!

[Amanda]

Ame Dyckman; need I say more?

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

pair this with The Princess and the Pony and protect your valuables.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORABLE!! Love the artwork and the main character's protective/conquering attitude. Teaches an important lesson about conquering fears and protecting our loved ones.