A snore for all but the most avid toddler paleontologists.
After busy days spent doing what dinos do, nine colorful dinosaurs happily bed down for the night protected by a loving adult dino.
Each sleepy dinosaur inhabits a fanciful environment, though it is unclear whether they are based on known information about where dinosaurs lived. There is nothing ferocious or threatening about these dinosaurs. Nor are they likely to excite young paleontologists, as the purpose of the book is to convince young children to go to sleep, just like each of the dinosaurs. The singsong-y verses don’t really work as poetry. Uneven meter makes for an awkward read-aloud experience, and forced rhymes (“Mom” and “calm”; “leaves” and “trees”) are a bit of a stretch. Similarly, touch-and-feel elements added to one of the dinosaurs on each spread feel arbitrary and are more distraction than successful additions. Even toddlers will wonder why only one of each set of dinosaurs has this tactile element. Each spread ends with a “Good night” followed by an alliterative nickname: “Dozing Diplos”; “Resting Raptors”; “Tiny Pteros”; “Snoozing Spinos.” This affectation will turn off adults with a low tolerance for cute and potentially confuse readers just beginning to learn dinosaur names.
A snore for all but the most avid toddler paleontologists. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-680105-48-3
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Sweet and practical holiday advice delivered by two darling dinos.
Tiny T. Rex shares the top six tricks of treating for those wanting to become Halloween Treat-masters.
“The very best part of Halloween is the Treats,” the book opens. “It is a mathematically proven fact.” From there, Tiny T. Rex and pal Pointy, who declare themselves masters of treating, share their tricks, which range from what to wear (with a caveat to avoid wearing multiple costumes at once) to being sure to express “thank you” (even frightful creatures have manners, after all) to the “greatest trick” of all—sharing treats. Stutzman’s play on trick-or-treating, coupled with original words like Nom-bies and Crawly-creeps, give this board book a refreshingly original take on familiar Halloween themes. Fleck’s illustrations depict the dinos as endearing and playful. Tiny T. Rex has two pointy, nonintimidating teeth and a diminutive stature, and Pointy’s ever so pointy back plates are incorporated into its costume as a unicorn with a rainbow-colored tail. And who can resist a dinosaur wearing “mitties” over its hands? The brightly colored illustrations are visually appealing, and the details give readers plenty to observe. From showing gratitude for a cucumber “treat” handed out from a basket of veggies to sharing their haul with a homebound friend, these dinosaurs are adorable in more ways than one.
Sweet and practical holiday advice delivered by two darling dinos. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4521-8490-6
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A familiar interchange, featuring a less-ferocious-looking cousin of the tempestuous T. Rex of Bob Shea’s Dinosaur vs....
A parent/caregiver—unseen after a glimpse at the beginning—translates a “terrible twos”–style tantrum into a movie-monster rampage.
As it turns out, it’s all just a failure to communicate. As a Godzilla-like monster emerges from the ocean in Tankard’s thick-lined cartoon scenes and proceeds to wreak havoc amid skyscrapers, the now-unseen narrator scolds every action. The amused tone of the narrative—“Wipe your feet, Destructosaurus! For crying out loud, you’re tracking seaweed and dead fish all over the tourists”—turns annoyed as the rampage continues: “Stop throwing around buildings that don’t belong to you. You’ve been brought up better than that, you naughty monster!” But when the uproar turns out to have been just a search for a misplaced teddy bear, the scolding changes to repentance (“You could have used your words. But, still. Sorry I yelled”) and ends with a hug. Also, after a “GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW,” a general tidying up. The silliness of the premise is nicely amplified by the mixed-media illustrations, which feature disaster-movie perspectives and lots of rubble.
A familiar interchange, featuring a less-ferocious-looking cousin of the tempestuous T. Rex of Bob Shea’s Dinosaur vs. Bedtime (2008) and its sequels. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4521-2454-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2014
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