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. 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2021
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
What sounds did dinosaurs make? We don't really know.
Litton suggests some possibilities while introducing sophisticated vocabulary in a board-book format. Five dinosaurs are featured: Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus, Pterodactyl, Diplodocus, and Triceratops. For each species there is a brief description that highlights its distinctive features, followed by an invitation to hear and repeat the dinosaur's sound. There is no explanation for why scientists think T. Rex “roared,” Stegosaurus “howled,” Pterodactyl “screeched,” Diplodocus “growled,” or Triceratops “grunted.” The author tries to avoid sexism, carefully referring to two of the creatures as “she,” but those two are also described in stereotypically less-ferocious terms than the male dinos. The touch point on the Pterodactyl is a soft section of wing. Readers are told that Diplodocus “loved splashing in swamps,” and the instruction is to “tickle her tummy to hear her growl,” implying that this giant creature was gentle and friendly. None of this may matter to young paleontologists, who will enjoy finding the tactile section on each creature that triggers the sound. Despite extensive directions in small print, most parents and libraries won't bother to change the battery secured by a tiny hex screw, but while the battery lasts, the book will get lots of play.
Young dino fans will enjoy it, though their grown-ups may not. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-58925-207-3
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Aug. 5, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
Categories: CHILDREN'S DINOSAURS & PREHISTORIC CREATURES
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A hefty board book filled with ruminations on the nature of love.
While love is the topic of this board book, it’s the inventive gatefolds and charmingly vintage illustrations that readers will fall for. Brimming with sweeping declarations along the lines of “Love is / strong. // You have my back and I’ll always have yours,” the text sounds like a series of greeting cards strung together. It’s benign enough, but are most toddlers interested in generic proclamations about love? Some statements, like the ones on “unsinkable” hippos or a panda parent holding a cub “steady,” could introduce new vocabulary. At least there’s plenty of winsome critters to fawn over as the surprisingly sturdy flaps tell dramatic little ministories for each cartoon-style animal species. A downcast baby giraffe looks longingly up at a too-high tasty branch; lift a flap to bring an adult giraffe—and the delicacy—down to the baby, or watch an adventurous young fox retreat into a fold-down–flap burrow to learn that “my heart will always be home with you.” At points, the pages are tricky to turn in the correct order, but clever touches, like a series of folds that slow readers down to a sloth’s speed, make up for it. The book concludes with a gatefold revealing a vibrant playground populated with racially and ethnically diverse humans; two are wheelchair users.
Fun format; bland text. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3153-2
Page Count: 84
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Review Posted Online: Dec. 25, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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