Clever, dino-themed fun to get kids excited for Passover.
A tyrannosaurus has terrible tsuris—Yiddish for troubles—because no guests will come to his Passover seder.
Tyrannosaurus is all ready for his seder, but there’s a problem: All the other dinosaurs think he wants to eat them. Meanwhile, the other dinosaurs have their own tsuris, too: Stegosaurus can’t find parsley for the seder plate, Ankylosaurus accidentally stepped on the box of matzah, and Allosaurus has too many guests. Tyrannosaurus is too busy moaning about his own tsuris to listen to the troubles of others, but eventually, they listen to his, and they agree that his tsuris is the worst. After all, the most important thing about seder is gathering around the table with guests. The solution is obvious: They will all attend Tyrannosaurus’ seder, which will neatly solve their problems as well. Each dino is brightly colored, with a textured pattern (or feathers, for the microraptor); herbivores have rounded teeth, and carnivores have sharp ones. A butterfly provides a fun seek-and-find element on each page. Kids who are sticklers for dinosaur facts might notice that many of these dinos did not live at the same time period. The initial alliteration may be the spark for this story, but there’s plenty to keep kids enticed: bright colors, patterned language, and a happy ending.
Clever, dino-themed fun to get kids excited for Passover. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781728492377
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their...
Less ambitious than Chris Gall’s widely known Dinotrux (2009) and sequels, this British import systematically relegates each dinosaur/construction-equipment hybrid to its most logical job.
The title figures are introduced as bigger than both diggers and dinosaurs, and rhyming text and two construction-helmeted kids show just what these creatures are capable of. Each diggersaur has a specific job to do and a distinct sound effect. The dozersaurus moves rocks with a “SCRAAAAPE!!!” while the rollersaurus flattens lumps with a cheery “TOOT TOOT!!” Each diggersaur is numbered, with 12 in all, allowing this to be a counting book on the sly. As the diggersaurs (not all of which dig) perform jobs that regular construction equipment can do, albeit on a larger scale, there is no particular reason why any of them should have dinosaurlike looks other than just ’cause. Peppy computer art tries valiantly to attract attention away from the singularly unoriginal text. “Diggersaurs dig with bites so BIG, / each SCOOP creates a crater. // They’re TOUGH and STRONG / with necks so long— / they’re super EXCAVATORS!” Far more interesting are the two human characters, a white girl and a black boy, that flit about the pictures offering commentary and action. Much of the fun of the book can be found in trying to spot them on every two-page spread.
Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their dino/construction kicks. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-9848-4779-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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