DINOSAUR VS. BEDTIME

With huge exclamations, broad, black crayon lines and vivid splashes of red, Shea portrays a roaring “dinosaur” savagely attacking a pile of leaves, a big slide, a bowl of spaghetti, talking grown-ups (seen only from knees down) and other unsuspecting targets, then swaggering away from each, crowing “DINOSAUR WINS AGAIN!” Bedtime, though, offers a far tougher challenge to the young wild thing—in no time the mighty roars have dialed down to a murmur (rendered typographically in smaller and smaller fonts) and a final “Bedtime wins. Good night, dinosaur.” The toothy red dino bounces his way through mixed-media illustrations that combine photocollage (Dinosaur’s mouth full of photographic spaghetti is a particular highlight) with a minimalist retro sensibility that puts Dinosaur where he belongs, always at the center of attention.

As in his Big Plans! (2008), illustrated by Lane Smith, the author crafts a high-volume attention-grabber that will have audiences roaring along enthusiastically. Fine fare for No, David! fans.