As in his Big Plans! (2008), illustrated by Lane Smith, the author crafts a high-volume attention-grabber that will have...
With huge exclamations, broad, black crayon lines and vivid splashes of red, Shea portrays a roaring “dinosaur” savagely attacking a pile of leaves, a big slide, a bowl of spaghetti, talking grown-ups (seen only from knees down) and other unsuspecting targets, then swaggering away from each, crowing “DINOSAUR WINS AGAIN!” Bedtime, though, offers a far tougher challenge to the young wild thing—in no time the mighty roars have dialed down to a murmur (rendered typographically in smaller and smaller fonts) and a final “Bedtime wins. Good night, dinosaur.” The toothy red dino bounces his way through mixed-media illustrations that combine photocollage (Dinosaur’s mouth full of photographic spaghetti is a particular highlight) with a minimalist retro sensibility that puts Dinosaur where he belongs, always at the center of attention.
As in his Big Plans! (2008), illustrated by Lane Smith, the author crafts a high-volume attention-grabber that will have audiences roaring along enthusiastically. Fine fare for No, David! fans. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4231-1335-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
None
Dynamic dinosaur duo Yolen and Teague team up again, this time tackling the touchy topic of table manners. Their signature rhyming text and hilarious illustrations introduce an ensemble of wacky giant reptiles in the end pages and show them engaged in a spectrum of really terrible table tantrums. An orange and purple Cryolophosaurus rudely burps and belches. A ponderous Protoceratops picks at his cereal and throws down his cup. A quirky winged Quetzalcoatlus fusses, fidgets and squirms in his chair in a busy restaurant. An out-of-control pink-and-blue-striped Amargasaurus flips a plate of spaghetti into the air while a spotted Spinosaurus slyly spits out his partially chewed broccoli, a huge Lambeosaurus bubbles his milk and a recumbent Gorgosaurus pokes string beans up his nose. Readers soon discover these gargantuan diners actually have exemplary table manners, suggesting that little dinosaurs everywhere might do well to follow their lead and “eat up.” A humorous, highly palatable read-aloud primer on table etiquette for the preschool dining set. (Picture book. 3-5)
None NonePub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-439-24102-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2005
Appealing enough, but adds little to the substantial dinosaur subgenre. (Picture book. 3-5)
Each dinosaur has his favorite dance and really knows how to shake it!
The fang-tastic T. Rex serves as emcee, introducing a galaxy of dancing dinosaur stars. (He also does a mean tango.) The Duckbills favor disco, Steggy likes the Twist and the Raptors tap dance, complete with canes and hats. In all, 14 varieties of dinosaur step out, illustrated in bold full-page pictures. Tracey Triceratops, adorned with a sparkling gold necklace and matching shoes, does body pops. The Pachycephalosaurus brothers breakdance. Lily Dilophosaurus executes an elegant waltz, in a hot-pink gown and scarves for gesticulation. Patty Apatasaurus and her crew of three samba, careful to avoid the pile of poo she's deposited(!). Maia Maiasaurus moonwalks in one white glove. Judges hold up scores that vary wildly. And every few pages, a small illustration in the corner of the page depicts a judge being snatched away by green claws. Wildish's pictures are funny, but Clarke's rhyming text is disappointingly minimal, relying on the tropes of reality-TV dance shows that many in the audience may not recognize.
Appealing enough, but adds little to the substantial dinosaur subgenre. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-936140-67-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Imagine Publishing
Review Posted Online: Dec. 20, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
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