Archibald and the furry dinosaurs

For this entertaining picture book, married collaborators the Langs (Grumpy Monkey) dream up a thoroughly goofy prehistoric world populated by dinosaurs that sport luxurious hair and fur: "Fluffy, curly, bearded, dreadlocked, and shaggy." As the terrifically tressed terrible lizards spend their days "shampooing, combing, picking, brushing, and preening," they also offer somewhat patronizing consolation to Archibald--a googly-eyed dino who is "as bald as a boulder." Wondering what happened to the fluff he sported as a hatchling, Archibald embarks on a quest to find it. Digital illustrations, resembling watercolor and ink sketches, deftly move the endearing protagonist through scenes that range from touching to mildly menacing as Archibald discovers that what he lacks in hair he has in bravery and more. And when Archibald finally encounters his dust-mop-like 'do, he finds that it's both sentient and self-actualizing, and a font of follicular wisdom, to boot. Archibald's newfound confidence inspires the other dinosaurs to shed their locks, too, and the rest is history--and a not-so-bald-faced lesson in getting comfortable in one's scales. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)

This hairy tale has been a long time coming. Dinosaurs used to be covered in hair: "There were short-haired dinosaurs and long-haired dinosaurs. Fluffy, curly, bearded, dreadlocked, and shaggy dinosaurs." Except one. Archibald, a red bipedal dino, had hair once, but he's now "as bald as a boulder." Where did his tresses go? Archibald sets out on a quest to find his lost locks. Along the way, his lack of hair comes in handy. Pursued by the fierce Woollyciraptors, he escapes by dashing through a thicket of brambles (the raptors' wool gets them tangled up). Sunlight gleaming on his smooth top blinds the hungry Haironodons eager to make a meal out of him, and a voracious but hirsute Furannosaurus becomes overheated while chasing him. Archibald even saves a few new friends along the way. These actions begin a hair-shaving trend among his furry contemporaries. The story's dry humor and intricate digital illustrations work in harmony to deliver a charming story that will amuse budding paleontologists. From stocky, sweetly guileless Archibald to his preening peers to the predators with their gaping maws, the caricaturelike depictions of the dinos will delight. While some details and colors may be a hair too subtle for large-group storytimes, the book is a fine choice for lap reads anywhere--especially barbershops. Hair-raising fun that will leave readers combing bookshelves for more.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.