Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"Most people believe that dinosaurs are long gone," begins the young narrator of this wouldn't-it-be-cool-if story from Krensky (We Just Had a Baby) and Munsinger (the Tacky the Penguin series). "But not me." Instead, the boy reasons that dinosaurs simply went into hiding. Munsinger's watercolors are the star of the show, comically picturing dinosaurs camouflaged as cave man, a sphinx and pyramid in ancient Egypt, and a medieval knight's mount, providing some entertaining seek-and-find moments. Back in the present, the child spots one dinosaur masquerading as Santa and another as the Statue of Liberty. The boy's musings start to become repetitive, but the story shifts gears after he persuades the dinosaurs to come out of hiding; Munsinger shows them letting loose in the grocery store, tearing through town in vehicles, and relaxing on the sofa. A tacked-on environmental message lands with a thud ("Maybe we have some work to do" before dinosaurs will reappear, the boy concludes, as a stegosaurus holds a sign that reads, "Clean Our Planet"). It's a fine idea that doesn't quite hit its mark. Ages 4-7. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-In Krensky's latest picture book, a boy posits the idea that dinosaurs are still alive but in hiding. The child narrator, carrying a stuffed dinosaur, states that he believes dinosaurs were strong enough to survive an asteroid collision but they are too scared of humans to show themselves. People are polluters, and until they stop littering and contaminating the air and water with poisons, the giant reptiles will remain concealed. The watercolor illustrations show how dinosaurs have disguised themselves over the years to blend in with their environment. People from around the world don't see them, because the dinosaurs are disguised as cave dwellers, the Sphinx, a mountain under a castle, a Pilgrim, and even Santa Claus. Some, like the dinosaur traffic light, are harder to spot than others. VERDICT This boy's theory is far-fetched but fun to imagine. Children will giggle at this supremely silly read-aloud.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, Alta. © Copyright 2016. 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
Most people believe that dinosaurs are long gone. But not me." So says a boy who is convinced that his beloved dinos are hiding in our midst. It's an affectionate and thought-provoking narrative--the kid considers the pros and cons of the dinos revealing themselves--matched by truly funny watercolors (e.g., of a nervous-looking dinosaur masquerading as a store Santa). (c) Copyright 2017. 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
A small, light-skinned blond boy has a theory that the dinosaurs are just in hiding until the moment is right for a reappearance.Dinosaurs ruled the earth for millions and millions of years. // If they could do that, they could survive one fiery blast. The boy also has no trouble guessing why they went on the down lowat first, they were scared of all the changes. And when people showed up, well, hiding seemed like a good idea. And then it just got to be natural. Throughout, Munsingers watercolors hide the dinos in plain sight, and the youngest readers will be yelling out their locations enthusiastically. That caveman with the tiny arms and green tail? A dinosaur. And that third camel from the left? That gray pyramid? The knights steed? The Statue of Liberty? Yep, all dinos. But while many things about todays world would suit the beasts (fast-food drive-thrus and supermarkets), these are outweighed by some serious cons: office stress, pollution, traffic congestion, the fast food itself. The planet may need some serious work before the dinos come out of hiding, and in the meantime, the boy will keep their secret. Munsinger gives the dinos personalities without feeling the need to dress and accessorize them like people (unless thats their disguise). And the subtle environmental message goes down easily. An If the Dinosaurs Came Back for modern times. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
