TIARA SAURUS REX

Gently rhyming text recounts one dinosaur’s dream of sweeping away her beauty-pageant competition.

It’s dino pageant day, and a host of talented competitors have shown up to strut their stuff. But even as they apply their makeup and don their gowns with the help of ring-tailed lemurs, their assistants warn that, “Tina has to win.” That would be Tina the T. Rex, whose very presence sets her fellow dinos trembling. Other dinosaurs might excel in the talent portion or display some pretty gowns, but as Tina grows ever more competitive, other dinos start leaving left and right. Soon there’s no one left but kind Maya Saura, who compliments Tina’s skills. This act of kindness convinces Tina to offer her the pageant crown. Unfortunately for the storyline, Tina’s change of heart at the end isn’t accompanied by any particular chagrin at the departure of her rivals. The book seems to suggest that friendship trumps victory, but the lesson here feels hurried and tacked-on. The tale’s saving grace is Boldt’s bold digital art, which is unafraid to give life and verve to a plodding plot.

Though well-intentioned, ultimately this book has about as much depth as your average beauty pageant.