Eric J. ValdesAuthor & Creator
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Cover of Rodney the Rockin’ Rhino, written by Eric Valdes: a smiling gray rhino dancing in a sunny jungle clearing while a mockingbird watches from a branch
Picture book · Ages 3–8

Rodney the Rockin’ Rhino

Written by Eric J. Valdes

Everyone has a song waiting to be heard. Rodney is a rhino with not-so-rhino ways. He loves to sing and dance, but he’s afraid the jungle will laugh. When Miss Mel hears his secret song, Rodney discovers that sharing what makes you special can bring everyone together.

Notify me at launchLook inside
Ages
3–8
Pages
32, full color
Format
8.5″ × 8.5″ paperback
Available
Coming October 2026
A peek inside

A jungle full of color, and one shy singer.

Rodney dancing happily down the main street of Rhino Town while other rhinos look on
Rodney was a rhino with not-so-rhino ways.
Under a full moon, Miss Mel the mockingbird flies past the jungle animals to tell them Rodney’s secret
Miss Mel flew round the jungle to tell them what she’d heard.
Rodney standing nervously before a crowd of jungle animals: an elephant, a monkey, a zebra, a lion and a crocodile
The crowd began to whisper…
Rodney and his friends dancing together in the open-air Rhino Room by the water, lanterns strung overhead
A place where everyone could sing along.
Final page of Rodney the Rockin’ Rhino: Rodney dancing with his friends under the words Sing your own song
Why I wrote it

Sing your own song.

Every kid has something that makes them light up, and almost every kid has wondered whether it’s safe to show it. Rodney is for them.

It’s a story about courage and self-expression, and about the friends who cheer you on once you’re brave enough to share what makes you special.

  • Confidence
  • Finding your voice
  • Friendship & belonging
  • Music
For parents & teachers

Questions to talk about after reading

Rodney makes a great read-aloud for home, classroom and library story time.

  1. Why do you think Rodney sang and danced where no one could see him?
  2. How did Rodney feel when the jungle animals came to find him? How would you feel?
  3. What’s something you love to do that makes you feel like you?
  4. Miss Mel shared Rodney’s secret. Was that kind? What else could she have done?
  5. How did Rodney’s friends help him be brave?
  6. If you built a place where everyone could share their talent, what would it look like?
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