A fun fantasy sure to be enjoyed by the dino-obsessed.
An imaginative young Japanese child receives a birthday gift that any kid would covet—a dinosaur suit!
The child wears the suit to the park to show the other children, but they are frightened and scatter. This is when the dinosaurs arrive. They show the child a secret tunnel from the park to their home in Dinosaur Land. Many varieties of dinosaur make an appearance on Herbivore Island to play, including the Iguanodon, the Brachiosaurus, and Pterosaur taxis. However, the carnivores are not far away. When a “pack of Tyrannosauruses” heads to Herbivore Island, the child comes up with a plan to mobilize the dinosaurs and fight the carnivores away. From the storyline to the child’s suit, this (uncredited) English translation of the Japanese Boku ga kyoryu data toki is reminiscent of Where the Wild Things Are, though less enchanting. The busy illustrations offer multiple perspectives of Dinosaur Land, giving readers much to explore. Both the friendly herbivores and the villainous carnivores are depicted foraging and hunting, respectively, placing their different diets in stark contrast. Mild violence is employed as the herbivores fight to protect themselves. The final double-page spread offers a charming twist when the child emerges from Dinosaur Land and the other dinosaurs are revealed to be other children in their own dino suits.
A fun fantasy sure to be enjoyed by the dino-obsessed. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-927018-88-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Simply Read
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn.
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
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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