Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3 Up--In the early pages of this book, they describe the Japanese term "wabi-sabi," which means "finding beauty in imperfection." This book not only exhibits that in its art style, which is completely hand drawn, but also in the chaos of its plot and characters. In this third title in the series, Trilobite and his crew are searching for an Entelodont, a prehistoric being resembling a large wild boar. They find him, but inadvertently create a creature of destruction from it. Combustion occurs and this creature becomes a Hog-Rocket, flying around destroying things with teeth and fire. All is presented with the humor, the author maximizing irony, odd situations, and exploiting typical disaster and action-movie tropes. VERDICT This book is a riot and a wild ride combined in one. Perfectly imperfect.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Terwilliger Trilobite returns to battle a gas-powered prehistoric pig. In this third graphic novel installment followingWalrus Brawl at the Mall (2024), Trilobite, paleo-newscaster Tiffany Timber, "fun-sized dinosaur" Tiny Spinosaurus, and Amber the Ambulocetus are on the job. They're trying to find and film an Entelodon (nicknamed "Heck Pig" by the group). True to form, events go humorously awry, leaving the Heck Pig--fueled by rage and fiery farts--consuming everything in its path. Trilobite and crew fall into financial hardship and are forced to find work to pay their debts. Trilobite is dismayed when all he can find is a job in a sewer, where he cleans up biosludge, formed by a mix of organic and inorganic waste that met an unfortunate AI smart sewer. When nemesis Opabinia offers $25,000 to anyone who can stop Heck Pig, the group must come up with a plan to stop the pooting porker. Will Bite be able to help while he's busy scooping sentient sewage? Hale's newest installment is an utter delight, and the strongest in the series so far, skillfully blending prehistoric tidbits with knee-slapping potty humor. A sage introduction informs readers of the book's hand-drawn nature, encouraging them to embrace mistakes and assuring them that the volumes may be enjoyed out of sequence. Tiffany, the lone human among the cast, appears white in the purple-hued artwork. Facts and farts: always a winning combination.(Graphic fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
