Fu Manchu the orangutan was so smart he outwitted zookeepers time and time again. Tsaki the donkey goes from working animal to beloved family member, while GQ the quail is curious and venturing. Kids love reading about intriguing animals. The ones in these books are worthy of discovering.

"Orangutan Houdini" by Laurel Neme; illustrated by Kathie Kelleher; Bunker Hill Publishing; 32 pages; $17.95.

Kids visit zoos and often don't think about what's going on in the animals' minds. Animals are more than just non-verbal creatures. In this thoughtful, amazing true story, an orangutan named Fu Manchu figures out how to undo his enclosure's lock and invites his family to come along. They don't go far, only to the trees near the elephant area so they can observe the big mammals. The zookeeper blames his co-workers for leaving the lock undone, but when it happens over and over again, realizes it's really Fu doing the outwitting.

With a detailed follow-up of Fu's life and ways of smartly escaping, Neme's book is a fun, insightful journey into the intelligence of orangutans. Fu's curiosity and cleverness prompted many books and studies, and he received an honorary membership from the American Association of Locksmiths. Coupled with the personality-filled sketches by Kathie Kelleher, "Orangutan Houdini" is indeed a book that will provoke "wows."

"GQ GQ, Where Are You?" by Sharon I. Ritt; illustrated by Nadia Komorova; Little Five Star Publications; 40 pages; $14.95.

Georgy, or GQ, is a curious quail who explores the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona to look for playmates. He comes across many fascinating plants and animals, from doves, prickly pears and purple sage to coyotes and rattlesnakes. The brave quail isn't afraid, however, and stops to eat seeds and leaves and cacti fruit before returning to the nest.

With singsong text and an accompanying read-and-sing-along CD (to the tune of "Frere Jacques"), Sharon I. Ritt's zesty exploration tale also includes a nonfiction section detailing desert plants and animals. Nadia Komorova's dream-like, beautiful illustrations paint the desert as more colorful than most of us realize. With the subtitle "Adventures of a Gambel's Quail," this fun exploration book is sure to be popular among preschoolers.

"Mikis and the Donkey" by Bibi Dumon Tak; illustrated by Philip Hopman; Eerdmans Books for Young Readers; 89 pages; $13.

This Junior Library Guild Selection for readers ages eight to 12 is a lovely, zesty story about a boy and his beloved donkey. Bibi Dumon Tak's gentle story is full of adventure, pitfalls and old-fashioned intergenerational respect. When young Mikis' grandfather buys him a donkey, the family intends for it to be a working animal. But soon, boy and grandfather fall fast in love with Tsaki, and learn what it means to care kindly for another creature.

With lots of Greek speak (the story takes place on the island of Corfu), humor and refreshing family and village ties, "Mikis and the Donkey" proves how lovable work animals can be.

"Saving Turtles: A Kid's Guide to Helping Endangered Creatures" by Sue Carstairs; Firefly Books; 64 pages; $9.95.

Turtles are loved but also endangered. Half of the more than 300 species are threatened with extinction. Education is half the battle in saving these amazing creatures. They face habitat loss, pollution, pet-trade harvesting and road and fishing fatalities.

Fully illustrated with amazing up-close photographs, veterinarian Dr. Sue Carstairs' informative book tells readers what to do if they come across injured turtles. She also describes what she and other vets do to repair shattered shells, broken jaws and injured skulls, and tells how they nurse the injured turtles back to health.

Kids leaning towards becoming veterinarians will enjoy this behind-the-scenes introduction to the field and steps they can take to help turtles survive.

"The Good Dog" by Todd Kessler; illustrated by Jennifer Gray Olson; Greenleaf Press; 112 pages; $18.95.

From the co-creator of the iconic "Blue's Clues" comes this thoughtful, engaging picture book about a dog adopted by a boy without his parents' consent. Mom and Dad allow Tako to stay, but only if he follows the rules. Things get tricky when a competing bakery owner tries to sabotage the family's new business, and Ricky and Tako break a few rules to protect it.

The message of this longer-length picture book is about using judgment to make safe, responsible decisions — something kids always need help with. It's also about a lovable puppy and persistent eight-year-old owner who learn to form a healthy, mature relationship. Colorful, mod artwork couples attractively with Kessler's spot-on writing to make "The Good Dog" an appealing and lovely tale.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.