bookshelf

DINO-GRO

Name: DINO-GRO
Author: Matt Myers
ISBN: 978-0-593-17987-1

by Matt Myers ; illustrated by Matt Myers ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 15, 2021

An absorbing—and absorbent—tale of togetherness with turns both comical and dramatic.

bookshelf

How to make a tiny toy grow? Just add water!

Cole’s new blue dinosaur fits neatly in his hand until it climbs into a glass of water, which touches off persistent efforts to get, as it repeatedly says with its one and only word: “Wet.” A dive into the fish tank (“Wet”) and an encounter with the sprinkler later (“Wet!”)—not to mention a fridge raid and a shower—and Dino-Gro has outgrown the house. Forced at last to move outdoors, the blue behemoth sadly wanders off…but lumbers back, huger than ever, to the rescue (“Wet!”) when a mighty storm floods the neighborhood. In the lightly caricatured illustrations, Dino-Gro’s doggy friendliness (not to mention size) recalls overgrown picture-book pooches like Pinkerton and Clifford, though in build and hue it actually looks like a cross between a hippo and Barney. Myers depicts Cole, his parents, and the little sister that soon comes along as racially ambiguous, with light brown skin. Viewers will dwell, amused, on the lovingly detailed chaos Dino-Gro leaves in its wake as it chugs the water out of flower vases and rummages through the fridge, and they will chuckle at the comical final scene as Cole’s mom’s remark that the new baby will grow prompts the helpful creature to rush up with the garden hose: “Wet?” (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An absorbing—and absorbent—tale of togetherness with turns both comical and dramatic. (Picture book. 5-7)

Pub Date: June 15, 2021

ISBN: 978-0-593-17987-1

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Random House Studio

Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S DINOSAURS & PREHISTORIC CREATURES | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORLD'S LONGEST LICORICE ROPE
by Matt Myers ; illustrated by Matt Myers

- BOOK REVIEW
LILY LEADS THE WAY
by Margi Preus ; illustrated by Matt Myers

- BOOK REVIEW
CHILDREN OF THE FOREST
by Matt Myers ; illustrated by Matt Myers

bookshelf

THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH

From the I Can Read! series

by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.

bookshelf

The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.

Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)

Pub Date: March 26, 2024

ISBN: 9780063329560

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS BOOK!
by Jory John ; illustrated by Olivier Tallec

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BIG CHEESE
by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald

- BOOK REVIEW
NOTHING’S WRONG!
by Jory John ; illustrated by Erin Kraan

bookshelf

HOW TO CATCH A LOVEOSAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 6, 2022

Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses.

bookshelf

An elusive new quarry leads the How To Catch… kids on a merry chase through a natural history museum.

Taking at least a step away from the “hunters versus prey” vibe of previous entries in the popular series, the racially diverse group of young visitors dashes through various museum halls in pursuit of the eponymous dino—whose quest to “spread kindness and joy ’round the world” takes the form of a mildly tumultuous museum tour. In most of Elkerton’s overly sweet, color-saturated scenes, only portions of the Loveosaurus, who is purple and covered with pink hearts, are visible behind exhibits or lumbering off the page. But the children find small enticements left behind, from craft supplies to make cards for endangered species to pictures of smiley faces, candy heart–style personal notes (“You Rock!” “Give Hugs”), and, in the hall of medieval arms and armor, a sign urging them to “Be Honest Be Kind.” The somewhat heavy-handed lesson comes through loud and clear. “There’s a message, he wants us to think,” hints Walstead to clue in more obtuse readers…and concluding scenes of smiling people young and otherwise exchanging hugs and knuckle bumps, holding doors for a wheelchair rider, and dancing through clouds of sparkles indicate that they, at least, have gotten it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses. (Picture book. 5-7)