As with most books about the awesomeness of reading, this is most likely to appeal to children who are already excited about...
Doris—a light-blue cartoon dinosaur who adores reading books—eventually wins over her skeptical, action-oriented brothers.
“Hooray for books! / I love them so! / I get a wagonload to go.” That’s Doris at the library, beginning a fairly lengthy exposition of her love affair with books. The entire text is in rhyme, with two different schemes of rhythm. The scansion is excellent, making the verses both easy to read aloud and easy for pre-readers to eventually memorize. Children who embrace the warm, happy personality of PBS’ Barney will eagerly accept smiling Doris, with her pink stegosaurus spikes, and her equally colorful theropod brothers. Although the brothers initially complain that Doris just wants to read when they want to do such things as play “STEGO Blocks” or “Chomp the Flag,” Doris inadvertently lures them into her world by revealing exciting facts from a book of records, riddles from a joke book, and the imaginative playacting that results from reading fiction. Little ones will giggle at how the tables turn after Doris’ pirate book completely enthralls her brothers. If the group pictured on the verso upon opening the book is Doris’ family, it appears that Doris and her mother share the cartoon gender trait of curly lashes. Fortunately, Doris’ exuberant, life-affirming behavior shows not a trace of shy, bluestocking bookishness.
As with most books about the awesomeness of reading, this is most likely to appeal to children who are already excited about books, but it makes for an agreeable affirmation. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: July 4, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-11676-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Imprint
Review Posted Online: April 30, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2017
“DINOSAUR WINS!” So will young readers and listeners likewise charged up with dino DNA.
Fresh from roaring out at bedtime (2008), at potty training (2010) and in the library (2011) Shea’s prehistoric preschooler takes on Christmas.
Flashing dentifrice that would do a shark proud, the diminutive dino “attacks” a letter to Santa, struts proudly away from a newly decorated (at least in its lower branches) tree, glues up crafty gifts for the parents and heroically takes a pass on a tempting gingerbread cookie (“Dinosaur versus… / being extra good!”). After sneaking downstairs for a Santa sighting (“something no dinosaur should ever do”), he even surmounts the supreme challenge of falling asleep on Christmas Eve. Flashing expressions that range from fierce scowls and high jubilation to a less showy—but more substantial—grimace of triumph (see cookie encounter, above), the energetic urchin gambols across appropriately noisy scatterings of crayons, craft sticks, glitter and various (secular) signs of the season placed by the author against backgrounds of solid color alternating with plaid and other patterns.
“DINOSAUR WINS!” So will young readers and listeners likewise charged up with dino DNA. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 11, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4231-6806-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: April 17, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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