Eye-catching illustrations and the combination of two perennially popular topics make this book a sure hit. The conversational tone of the text and the use of a variably sized and colored display type add appeal, though they may also lead readers to expect a story for younger listeners rather than a serious examination of the subject. Judge is careful to distinguish between facts and educated guesses, which ironically may create a bit of confusion as her audience considers the plethora of possibilities described in her wide-ranging overview. She notes the enormous difference in size between some dinosaurs and their offspring and speculates about how their babies might have struggled to survive. Comparisons are drawn between the behavior of present-day birds (who may actually have evolved from dinosaurs) and a variety of dinosaurs using evidence from the fossil record. Vivid paintings provide amplification, perspective and humor. Further facts about the eight dinosaurs discussed are included, along with a simplified timeline. The glossary and bibliography will assist readers and listeners in understanding the complex ideas presented. Engaging and challenging. (author’s note) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: April 27, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59643-443-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Flash Point/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: Dec. 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2010
Setting story aside, the primary duty of Bluebonnet, an armadillo, is to aid and abet the public relations efforts of the Texas tourism industry. The only issue that could be construed as a character-driven conflict in this title is that Bluebonnet has missed Marshall’s Fire Ant Festival. Her real purpose, however, is to visit the Marshall train depot. Even when a fence bars her from entering that duly-described edifice, the fetching armadillo’s problem melts away under the benign gaze of T.P., a cat whose name stands for the Texas & Pacific. The two become ever-smilin’ buddies as T.P. tells Bluebonnet all manner of things of interest mostly to Texans and tourists. Texas schoolchildren helped mount a campaign to save the depot from demolition, readers learn, although they don’t learn why. Vincent’s illustrations offer a sense of the depot’s early-1900s bustle, however, and his critters are cute as can be. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-56554-311-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Pelican
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1999
The utterly winsome Sammy (and his crabby, TV-narcotized sister) is featured in a fine little story from Whybrow (The Snow King, p. 806, etc.) about the pleasures of friends who happen to be of a different species. Up in the attic with his grandmother, Sammy comes across a box full of old dinosaur toys. He shuttles the box downstairs, doctors the dinosaurs that need doctoring, bathes and buffs them all, and then, next day, trundles to the library to discover their names. While this is going on, captured in handsome pen-and-wash artwork, the beasts shuffle about, but only to Sammy’s knowledge. When every one of them is properly bestowed with a name—anchisaurus, brontosaurus, scelidosaurus, etc.—the dinosaurs say, ‘’ ‘Thank you, Sammy.’ They said it very quietly, but just loud enough for Sammy to hear.” Now fast friends, they nonetheless become separated when Sammy inadvertently leaves them on the train. Sammy is deeply unhappy; he inquires after them at the station, but the “Lost and Found” man says, “How do we know they are your dinosaurs?” A blind-identification test confirms that fact: ‘’ ‘All correct!’ said the man. ‘These are definitely your dinosaurs! Definitely!’ ‘’ Quietly, the dinosaurs concur: ‘’ ‘You’re definitely our Sammy. Definitely!’ ‘’ This is a beautiful, cheering story full of offbeat charm. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30207-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
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