Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
School is no match for Shea's rambunctious, ever-confident red dino, starring in his fifth picture book. This is a hero who brings a winner-takes-all attitude toward making friends, playing dress-up, and craft projects alike: "Roar! Sprinkle! Roar! Glue! Dinosaur wins!" shouts Dinosaur, as Shea draws him in manic brushstrokes covered in googly eyes. But when it's time to clean up, Dinosaur looks more like a frightened salamander than a fearless reptile. Shea's illustrations are as unruly and imaginative as ever in this pitch-perfect, egocentric take on living (school) life to the max. Ages 3-5. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Dinosaur is embarking on a new experience: school. Shea's collages are bold, vivid, and laugh-out-loud funny. His cartoon style is at times reminiscent of The Powerpuff Girls and The Ren & Stimpy Show yet is uniquely his own. Kids will appreciate the humor and Dinosaur's confidence as he faces off against some familiar situations. This is an excellent read-aloud that becomes interactive as the story builds. As an added bonus, if you look closely, you can spot Buddy and the Bunnies from Shea's previous book. Add this title to your cart, and your patrons and students will be sure to cheer.-Krishna Grady, Darien Library, CT (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
"Roar! Roar! Roar!" The diminutive red dinosaur (Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, rev. 9/08) faces its newest foe: the American education system. The new kindergartner (or preschooler; could be either) romps and stomps its way through the school day, making new friends (a fox, cat, pig, horse, anda fluffy cloud), playing dress-up, creating "monkey snacks," and more: "Dinosaur versusmaking music!" As kids familiar with this series can anticipate, in each case "Dinosaur wins!" The fun comes to a halt at clean-up time: "OH, NO! It's too much for one dinosaur!" But there's a valuable little-kid lesson to be learned: "When everyone helpsEVERYONE WINS!" The mixed-media illustrations contain lots of color and motion, with real-life objects incorporated thoughtfully and humorously into the digital collage (there are real raisins spilling out of the illustrated raisin box, and check out all those googly eyes on the arts-and-crafts page). Monster Buddy and his rabbit pals (from Buddy and the Bunnies in: Don't Play with Your Food!, rev. 1/14) make a cameo appearance on Dinosaur's lunchbox, but nothing beats that happy little cloud cheerfully playing the accordion during music time. elissa gershowitz (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Can a dinosaur come out on top when he tries to tackle all kinds of new things at school?Meeting new friends? Not a problemjust 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, teamworka winning idea indeed. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
