For a more child-friendly romp through the library, try No T. Rex in the Library by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Sachiko...
As an introduction to the library, the book's plot runs long and sometimes misses the intended audience.
In this loose companion to Can I Bring My Pterodactyl to School, Ms. Johnson? (2006), a child begs to bring his friend Woolly (mammoth) into the library. His refrain: “Can I bring Woolly to the library, Ms. Reeder? Can I? PLEASE?!” Unfortunately, Ms. Reeder never has an opportunity to respond or encourage the child to use the word “may.” Instead, the boy lists the things Woolly might do in the library, from practicing his letters to getting a library card and participating in Story Hour. Imaginative scenarios depicting Woolly learning that he may not bellow in the library or thump around do not mask the didactic text. At least one comment—“being read to will help Woolly with his reading, too”—is clearly aimed at adults. Animated spreads illustrating Woolly tackling library tasks will tickle youngsters, but, in a questionable scene they will not understand, Woolly shakes down a patron for fines. Readers will sigh with relief when the boy announces that Woolly will not be visiting the library after all, only to turn the page to hear the child ask, “Can I bring Saber to the library, Ms. Reeder? Can I? PLEASE?!”
For a more child-friendly romp through the library, try No T. Rex in the Library by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa (2010). (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-58089-281-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: Nov. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A laugh-out-loud, dino-themed farce.
Ever wonder why there are no dinosaurs?
Marvin and Vamos offer a possible answer with a humorous twist: Dinosaurs had hair. Imagine! If dinosaurs had hair, they must have had hair problems, too, like “parents who brushed it too hard,” “siblings who pulled it,” and “snarls. SO. MANY // SNARLS.” And if dinosaurs had hair, they probably flaunted their impressive styles by “flying with flair,” “galloping with gusto,” and “swimming with sass,” all of which led to gossip, jealousy, and hair drama like the “HAIR // WARFARE!” between Team Hair-o-dactyl and Team Pompadour-o-saurus, complete with Jurassic jeers and computer game–esque illustrations. Readers see a battle of hairstyles, “from pigtails to pixie cuts…// from pageboys to perms.” The winning style? “BIG BANGS!” As a T. rex shows off their hairdo, illustrations show asteroids raining down in the background; the final page shows a lone, feathered dino who has survived—consistent with the theory that dinosaurs evolved into birds. The book’s climax may also provide a teachable moment to distinguish the concept of the Big Bang from theories of extinction. The primary text moves the story forward briskly, but a second layer of sassy and punny speech bubbles also add humor for older readers and adults. Detailed, digitally created illustrations feature vibrant colors, hilarious hairstyles, and dinosaur facial features with lots of attitude and emotions, making this a book that will be read and reread often. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A laugh-out-loud, dino-themed farce. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-250-79256-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Affirmation that you can have dreams the size of a prehistoric flying reptile.
It is possible to be whatever you want.
When his teacher tells students they can be anything they want, Tommy announces his ambition: to be a pterodactyl. Unsurprisingly, classmates jeer. Tommy’s sure a pterodactyl’s diet of live fish would be an improvement over cafeteria fare; living in a cave in a cliff overlooking the sea where no one could visit him sounds ideal; and, as he explains to the bus driver, people would pay him, as a pterodactyl, not to pick them up and fly them places. Kids on the bus tease him mercilessly. When Tommy arrives home, his dad listens to him carefully and suggests that Tommy “live like a pterodactyl, even if on the outside you still look like Tommy.” Dad accepts and understands his son’s aspirations, and the two pretend to be pterodactyls all afternoon. The result: Because of his strongly held, actually logical beliefs and dad’s affirmation, Tommy does grow up to be a pterodactyl—sort of; kids will cheer the satisfying, makes-perfect-sense ending. This empowering story is all about having seemingly unattainable goals and being lucky enough to have supporters willing to help achieve them. Tommy’s a sweet, realistic, albeit dreamy, character; his dad, a model, caring parent. The colorful, somewhat stylized illustrations are lively and humorous. Tommy and his dad are light-skinned. Classmates and school personnel are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Affirmation that you can have dreams the size of a prehistoric flying reptile. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: July 25, 2023
ISBN: 9780593110652
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
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