A story that celebrates differences and will please many dinosaur-loving youngsters.
A dinosaur starts life among a group of birds in author/illustrator Campbell’s debut picture book.
A volcano erupts, sending an egg hurtling from a dinosaur’s nest into that of a kindly bird. She’s initially confused about the situation, but after all three eggs hatch, she does her best to raise the wingless dino, whom the narrator calls Tulip. Despite some early missteps—including a literal one, which dumps Tulip in the mud—the bird comes up with a life strategy for the reptilian creature: “You don’t have any wings, / but from right here on the ground / you can do so many things.” Tulip grows into a huge theropod while her bird siblings stay small; she becomes their protector and a renowned, joyful dancer. Campbell twists typical ugly-duckling tropes by having Tulip’s adoptive family immediately accept her and help her to see her own value. Campbell’s full-color images of prehistoric birds and pink, T. Rex–like Tulip are charmingly cartoonish. However, savvy readers may question why a T. Rex oddly builds a nest on a cliff or why a wooly mammoth appears during the Cretaceous period. The message that one may find an identity by embracing skills comes through clearly, and Campbell’s rhyming stanzas make for a smooth read-aloud.
A story that celebrates differences and will please many dinosaur-loving youngsters.Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-77744-751-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change.
A dog who belongs to an expecting couple adjusts to home life as a new baby arrives.
Pepita, the family pet, is beloved and still so little they call her Bebita (baby girl). But Pepita’s world is changing as her Mami and Papi await the arrival of a baby. Pepita is used to being spoiled “with treats and tummy rubs and my favorite fluffy pillow….But lately, things have been changing.” As the home gets new additions like a crib and gifts from the grandparents, Pepita feels left out, no longer the center of attention. Once the baby arrives, Pepita tries to adjust but is kept up at night by crying and doesn’t get playtime like before. But Pepita’s sweetness shines through as she finds ways to help out and bond with the new baby. “I feel so proud to be the big sister,” she concludes. The book is sprinkled with Spanish phrases, reflecting that Pepita is part of a Latine household; readers unfamiliar with Spanish will find the glossary helpful. Illustrations are warm and cuddly throughout, and the story is highly relatable; soon-to-be big siblings fretting over a new arrival will find it especially comforting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780593566985
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
Gently models kindness and respect—positive behavior that can be applied daily.
A group of young “dinosauruses” go out into the world on their own.
A fuchsia little Hugasaurus and her Pappysaur (both of whom resemble Triceratops) have never been apart before, but Hugasaurus happily heads off with lunchbox in hand and “wonder in her heart” to make new friends. The story has a first-day-of-school feeling, but Hugasaurus doesn’t end up in a formal school environment; rather, she finds herself on a playground with other little prehistoric creatures, though no teacher or adult seems to be around. At first, the new friends laugh and play. But Hugasaurus’ pals begin to squabble, and play comes to a halt. As she wonders what to do, a fuzzy platypus playmate asks some wise questions (“What…would your Pappy say to do? / What makes YOU feel better?”), and Hugasaurus decides to give everyone a hug—though she remembers to ask permission first. Slowly, good humor is restored and play begins anew with promises to be slow to anger and, in general, to help create a kinder world. Short rhyming verses occasionally use near rhyme but also include fun pairs like ripples and double-triples. Featuring cozy illustrations of brightly colored creatures, the tale sends a strong message about appropriate and inappropriate ways to resolve conflict, the final pages restating the lesson plainly in a refrain that could become a classroom motto. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Gently models kindness and respect—positive behavior that can be applied daily. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-82869-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
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