Review by Booklist Review
In this hilarious and inspiring romp, a little boy, armed only with a colander for a helmet, a cardboard roll for a club, and a toilet-seat rug for a cape, defeats his fears on one heroic day. Brown-skinned Tiny becomes the conquering Tiny the Barbarian this very day, we're told, after, on an outing with his parents, he sees a movie poster for the helmeted and club-wielding Bob the Barbarian. Once home, the inspired Tiny outfits himself in hero's gear and sets forth to protect his own domain: the backyard. Spires' perfectly fitting Photoshopped illustrations have an old-fashioned, B-movie feel to them. Tiny bops his enemies--a dragon, a troll, and a giant broccoli--with his cardboard roll, reducing them to a garden hose, garbage can, and bush, respectively. At bedtime, Tiny confronts his greatest fear, the dark, by thinking that he can try not to be afraid--and he succeeds. A witty tale about building courage through imaginative play.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Growing up presents a number of challenges waiting to be "conquered," from first steps to toilet training, so a boy named Tiny has no trouble imagining that he's a Viking-esque hero like the one on a nearby marquis. "He saw himself defending his realm," writes Dyckman (That's Life!); "He saw himself protecting his family." Plus, there's "all that stuff"--the barbarian outfit, which light brown--skinned Tiny approximates with a colander for a helmet, a bathroom rug for a cape, and a cardboard tube as a club. With his trusty kitty beside him, he's ready to bop anything lurking in the backyard, including a dragon (the hose) and a giant broccoli (a shrubbery). But with the arrival of bedtime, Tiny must conquer the "most challenging foe of all: THE DARK!" It's a familiar story line and resolution, but readers should find themselves carried along by lively digital art and comic rhythms from Spires (Turtle and Tortoise Are Not Friends) that are reminiscent of a satisfying cartoon episode. Tiny, an indomitable, highly expressive protagonist, carries the tale, and his all-caps cry of "CONQUER EVERYTHING!"--set in ornate type--may very well start resounding through readers' own pretend play. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Scott Treimel, Scott Treimel NY. Illustrator's agent: Claire Easton, Painted Words. (July)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
This book's rallying cry to "CONQUER EVERYTHING!" will ring true for small warriors-to-be. Tiny has always been small, but he wasn't a barbarian until earlier today. While out with his well-meaning parents (who make the mistake of telling him he can be anything he wants when he grows up), young Tiny spots something. An advertisement for a film about a barbarian gives Tiny a purpose. Merrily he constructs his own barbarian outfit--a horned colander is key--and proceeds to lay siege to the dragon (hose), troll (trash can), and giant broccoli (shrub) in the backyard. But fighting monsters during the day is one thing. Can Tiny now overcome his fear of the dark? Or is this the end of his warrior ways? With its joyous battle cries and subtle repeated beats, this story makes for a rollicking read-aloud. Spires imbues Tiny with as much, if not more, personality and vibe as any of the fantastical creatures that dot these pages. Other visual elements, like the dad cooking and taking on bedtime duty, eschew the usual stereotypes. Consider pairing with Great, Now We've Got Barbarians, by Jason Carter Eaton and illustrated by Mark Fearing (2017), for a truly tough storytime. Tiny's dad presents White, and Tiny himself and his mom have slightly darker skin. Prepare for the hearts of your kids to be conquered once and for all. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
