Combining the popular topics of space and dinosaurs is a surefire recipe for a storytime hit.
Dale continues to put dinos in situations sure to attract preschoolers’ attention.
The dinos have driven, rescued, dug, and built, and now they are blasting off into space. Young readers join them as they ride the bus to the launch pad, climb up to the rocket, board, and start the countdown. Once on the moon, they whizz around on their dinosaur buggies, plant and pose with their flag, play some soccer, and gaze at the Earth. A splashdown and aircraft carrier–based retrieval round out the adventure, though readers can extend the fun by identifying the dinos and the vehicles labeled on the endpapers. Dale gives children plenty of opportunity to participate in “reading” the book with her patterned text that repeats phrases: “Dinosaur rocket roaring. / Roaring and thundering into space. / Into space, zooming faster and faster! / Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!” Dale’s watercolor-and-pencil illustrations are meticulously detailed, from the cockpit controls and the look of Earth from space to the dinos themselves.
Combining the popular topics of space and dinosaurs is a surefire recipe for a storytime hit. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7999-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2015
The straightforward plot, uncomplicated illustrations, and humorous appearance of the decorated dinosaur dad make this a...
A young dinosaur and his dad search their island for a Christmas tree for their holiday celebration.
In this third outing for the little dinosaur, Rory and his group of animal friends are preparing for Christmas Eve. Rory and his dad have decorated their treetop home with Christmas stockings and garland, but they are missing a Christmas tree. The dinosaurs examine several different trees, but nothing on their lush, green island is quite right for their needs. When father and son return home empty-handed, the other animals arrive for a caroling session, followed by a Christmas story and hot cocoa. Rory’s dad surprises his son on Christmas morning by decorating himself as the Christmas tree, complete with glowing lights and a star-shaped hat. There is a jolly celebration and exchange of gifts before a sweet, concluding hug for the dinosaur duo. Digitally produced illustrations use cartoon-style shapes against plain white backgrounds or minimalist scenes of the dinosaur home and island surroundings. Rory and his dad have only tiny dots for their eyes, so they don’t show much expression, and all the characters have a rather flat and posed feel to them. The story is simple but satisfying, with the caring (and frequently used) theme of enjoying the holiday with friends and family.
The straightforward plot, uncomplicated illustrations, and humorous appearance of the decorated dinosaur dad make this a good choice for younger preschoolers. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-316-31523-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
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Another high-volume trail of victories for the red, toothy, roaring two-or-so-year-old introduced in Dinosaur vs. Bedtime (2008). Stoutly denying any need to use the potty, Dinosaur “conquers” a pitcher of lemonade, a lawn sprinkler, a pool toy, puddles and even a three-juice-box lunch in succession, each time exclaiming, “Dinosaur wins! And doesn’t need to use the potty!”—but when that victory dance suddenly turns into a “potty dance,” can he hold it long enough to reach the toilet? Children who have felt the pressure themselves won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough to see if he makes it…and he does, as the final (discreetly posed) scene and Dinosaur’s blissful—and still spike-toothed—smile reveal. “Close one, Dinosaur! Real, real close.” Largely printed in display type, the text is as punchy and emphatic as the big, simple illustrations. A shoo-in for storytime fave status and an excellent title to supplement the standard, more earnest potty-training fare. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4231-3339-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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