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DINOSAUR VS. SCHOOL

Name: DINOSAUR VS. SCHOOL
Author: Bob Shea
ISBN: 978-1-4231-6087-8

From the Dinosaur vs… series

by Bob Shea ; illustrated by Bob Shea ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2014

Still, Shea’s concept of “winning” at school clearly has to do with self-confidence, determination and, sometimes,...

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Can a dinosaur come out on top when he tries to tackle all kinds of new things at school?

Meeting new friends? Not a problem—just smile. Dressing up? He’s got that (and style too— sombrero, swim fins and a police uniform). Glitter, glue and googly eyes? He now sports 19 eyes. He is equally adept at making both a snack and music. But what about when it’s time to clean up? The design of the book plays a large part in the action. Every other right-hand page segues the red dino from one victory to the next thing he tries. Still sporting three googly eyes, he marches off the right side of the page, “Dinosaur versus….” A turn of the page reveals “monkey snacks! // ROAR! / Roar, raisins! / Roar, apples!” Another page turn, and “DINOSAUR WINS!”; the tummy-rubbing dino saunters off to the next battle. But while Shea’s indomitable red T. Rex has experienced many victories (Dinosaur vs. Santa, 2012, etc.), he comes up a little short here. The book nicely introduces the types of activities those new to school will participate in, but the digital mixed-media illustrations are so jumbled and manic that readers won’t get a clear sense of them.

Still, Shea’s concept of “winning” at school clearly has to do with self-confidence, determination and, sometimes, teamwork—a winning idea indeed. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: June 17, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-4231-6087-8

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Review Posted Online: May 18, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S DINOSAURS & PREHISTORIC CREATURES | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
BEARSUIT TURTLE MAKES A FRIEND
by Bob Shea ; illustrated by Bob Shea

- BOOK REVIEW
PIZZA FOR BIRDS
by Bob Shea ; illustrated by Bob Shea

- BOOK REVIEW
PARROTFISH HAS A SUPERPOWER
by Jill Esbaum ; illustrated by Bob Shea

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PEANUT BUTTER & CUPCAKE

by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2014

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...

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The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.

Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: July 29, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
SCAREDY SNACKS!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
SNACK ATTACK!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
BIG BROTHER PEANUT BUTTER
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.

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A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.

Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)