A parent/caregiver—unseen after a glimpse at the beginning—translates a “terrible twos”–style tantrum into a movie-monster rampage.
As it turns out, it’s all just a failure to communicate. As a Godzilla-like monster emerges from the ocean in Tankard’s thick-lined cartoon scenes and proceeds to wreak havoc amid skyscrapers, the now-unseen narrator scolds every action. The amused tone of the narrative—“Wipe your feet, Destructosaurus! For crying out loud, you’re tracking seaweed and dead fish all over the tourists”—turns annoyed as the rampage continues: “Stop throwing around buildings that don’t belong to you. You’ve been brought up better than that, you naughty monster!” But when the uproar turns out to have been just a search for a misplaced teddy bear, the scolding changes to repentance (“You could have used your words. But, still. Sorry I yelled”) and ends with a hug. Also, after a “GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW,” a general tidying up. The silliness of the premise is nicely amplified by the mixed-media illustrations, which feature disaster-movie perspectives and lots of rubble.
A familiar interchange, featuring a less-ferocious-looking cousin of the tempestuous T. Rex of Bob Shea’s Dinosaur vs. Bedtime (2008) and its sequels. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4521-2454-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 15, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2014
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BOOK REVIEW
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BOOK REVIEW
A little boy exults in his new role as big brother.
Rhyming text describes the arrival of a new baby and all of the big brother’s rewarding new duties. He gets to help with feedings, diaper changes, playtime, bathtime, and naptime. Though the rhyming couplets can sometimes feel a bit forced and awkward, the sentiment is sweet, as the focus here never veers from the excitement and love a little boy feels for his tiny new sibling. The charming, uncluttered illustrations convincingly depict the growing bond between this fair-skinned, rosy-cheeked, smiling pair of boys. In the final pages, the parents, heretofore kept mostly out of view, are pictured holding the children. The accompanying text reads: “Mommy, Daddy, baby, me. / We love each other—a family!” In companion volume I Am a Big Sister, the little boy is replaced with a little girl with bows in her hair. Some of the colors and patterns in the illustrations are slightly altered, but it is essentially the same title.
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an older sibling can do to help. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-545-68886-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY
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BOOK REVIEW
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After busy days spent doing what dinos do, nine colorful dinosaurs happily bed down for the night protected by a loving adult dino.
Each sleepy dinosaur inhabits a fanciful environment, though it is unclear whether they are based on known information about where dinosaurs lived. There is nothing ferocious or threatening about these dinosaurs. Nor are they likely to excite young paleontologists, as the purpose of the book is to convince young children to go to sleep, just like each of the dinosaurs. The singsong-y verses don’t really work as poetry. Uneven meter makes for an awkward read-aloud experience, and forced rhymes (“Mom” and “calm”; “leaves” and “trees”) are a bit of a stretch. Similarly, touch-and-feel elements added to one of the dinosaurs on each spread feel arbitrary and are more distraction than successful additions. Even toddlers will wonder why only one of each set of dinosaurs has this tactile element. Each spread ends with a “Good night” followed by an alliterative nickname: “Dozing Diplos”; “Resting Raptors”; “Tiny Pteros”; “Snoozing Spinos.” This affectation will turn off adults with a low tolerance for cute and potentially confuse readers just beginning to learn dinosaur names.
A snore for all but the most avid toddler paleontologists. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-680105-48-3
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
Categories: CHILDREN'S DINOSAURS & PREHISTORIC CREATURES
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