Syd Hoff's Danny and the dinosaur and the new puppy

Written by Bruce Hale. Two new stories about Danny and his dinosaur friend feature digital art done "in the style of Syd Hoff." In one book, Danny shows his friend that being tall has advantages (the dinosaur saves a crane operator); in the other, boy and dinosaur enjoy their day playing with a new puppy. These are bland follow-ups to Hoff's original early-reader stories. [Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Danny and the Dinosaur and Danny and the Dinosaur and the New Puppy.] (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The venerable I Can Read! series is extending Syd Hoff's run with new books written and drawn in his familiar style. This time, Danny and the dinosaur are in the park with Danny's new puppy. As Danny gives commands to his furry friend, the dinosaur responds, usually with comic results. "Roll over" leads to squished bushes, "fetch" results in an uprooted tree, and "sit" equals one less functional bench in the park. The three friends end up having a great time at the pool, but they have to part for the evening, leaving the dinosaur to make his lonely trudge back to the museum. Danny comes up with a solution that makes everyone happy. Syd Hoff's familiar style will attract new readers looking for more of Danny, and they will not be disappointed. Each illustration reflects the text and makes reading any challenging words manageable. The plot is straightforward and familiar and the ending, satisfying. Who wouldn't like to have a sleepover in the museum on the back of a friendly dinosaur? Primary school librarians and teachers will be glad to welcome Danny and his dinosaur back onto the shelves, even if the words and pictures are by new creators. Welcome back, Danny. Let's hear some more stories about you, your new puppy, and your big, old friend. (Early reader. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.