A serviceable if awkward rendition.
A dinosaur-themed version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
The book opens: “On the first day of Christmas, / my grandpa gave to me… / a Santasaurus and her dino baby.” The story continues, with each page turn revealing a new dinosaur gift: “two merry raptors,” “six T. rexes wrapping,” all the way up to “twelve pterodactyls twirling.” A brown-skinned child appears throughout, playing with the various dinos. The “Santasaurus” appears to be the only fictional dinosaur; the rest include the Jobaria, Troodon, and Spinosaurus. Most pages feature alliteration, like “seven brontosauruses baking” or “ten deinonychuses dashing,” which echoes the original Christmas carol and helps with reading or singing aloud. That said, some of the lines are awkward and clunky to sing, with the emphasis changed from the source material. The final page provides a guide to singing along, but without any written music, it’s really just a dinosaur pronunciation aid. The dinos are cute, and the bright illustrations ooze Yuletide appeal, with plenty of Santa hats, decorations, and gifts. Some pages are a bit overwhelming with detail, though “eight eoraptors eating” is an especially funny spread. Overall, though, this one doesn’t breathe new life into the holiday standard. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A serviceable if awkward rendition. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781684647378
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kane Miller
Review Posted Online: Aug. 23, 2023
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Young dino fans will enjoy it, though their grown-ups may not.
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. 4, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
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