Never follow a dinosaur

by Alex Latimer

age range: 4 years old and up

Peachtree Publishers

Joe and Sally found some strange footprints in the kitchen floor, and all the evidence points to a hungry, heavy, dancing and swimming dinosaur. They have worked very hard building a perfect dinosaur trap. Will it work?

Lovely story with lovely characters. They know the footprints were made by a dinosaur despite their father saying dinosaurs are extinct, and they are confident of being capable of catching it if they succeed in making the perfect trap. So when the unthinkable happens none of them are surprised. They knew it all along, didn't they? Wonderful illustrations and refreshing text make a funny story about curiosity, perseverance and imagination. 

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanna be a big dinosaur

by Heath McKenzie

age range: 2 to 5 years old

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

More than anything in the world this little boy wants to be a BIG DINOSAUR! And he is lucky, because it just happens to be a big dinosaur around who knows everything about being a big dinosaur and is willing to help. So lessons start right away. A big dinosaur has to know how to roar, and stomping, and eat lots of meats. The little boy wants to know if he can eat other foods too, and read, and play video games, because he really enjoy this activities. And the big dinosaur starts enjoying these activities too. Now more than anything in the world this big dinosaur wants to be a LITTLE BOY! And they agree to be both...

This is an enjoyable story about how both "quiet" and "noisy" activities can be fun. Sometimes we are like big dinosaurs, but we also like to play like little boys.The illustrations are wonderful. My favorite is the page where the dinosaur tries different types of foods. Hilarious! Great option for a funny reading aloud time.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

You are my best friend

by Tatsuya Miyanishi

age range: 4 to 8 years old

Tyrannosaurus is a bully. He is cruel and selfish. Everybody runs away from him because they are terrified. But it happens one day that Tyrannosaurus falls from the cliff, and Elasmosaurus helps him out of the water just when Tyrannosaurus is about to drown. Elasmosaurus lives in the water, so he doesn't know how mean Tyrannosaurus usually is. He not only saves him, but he also heals his wounds and brings him food. They become friends, and deeply enjoy spending time together. Tyrannosaurus feels like a new dinosaur. He smiles, eats berries, and looks happy and relaxed.

One day Elasmosaurus is attacked by a nasty dinosaur from the sea. Tyrannosaurus finds him with his body all covered by bite marks. "What a terrible thing to do!" he thinks. He feels terrible. Only now he confesses to his friend that he is the cruel dinosaur everybody hates. But Elasmosaurus knows that the true Tyrannosaurus is kind, and a great friend too.

Once again, as in You look yummy! Tatsuya Miyanishi proposes a different way too see a situation. In this case he puts forward the idea of how caring about the bully is also a way to stop bullying. Because of his barbarous behavior, all Tyrannosaurus obviously gets from other dinosaurs is fear and apprehension. And although he seems totally fine with it, he only is truly happy when he finds a friend who loves him. I can perfectly envision this book as a trigger to wonderful conversations with my kids. 

The writing is different from what we are used to, but this probably has a lot to do with the translation from Japanese. The illustrations are also distinctive, but I like them very much. I'm already looking forward to future titles in this series.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kittysaurus Rex

by Judge Kludge

Age range: middle grade.

Is there a greater dream for an aspiring paleontologist than find a new dinosaur?

Clara and Seke discover the fossils of an unknown dinosaur they called Kittisaurus Rex. But of course, nobody believes them, they are only 10 years old after all. The last chance they have to prove their theory is right seems to be to travel 145 millions of years ago and take a picture of Kittisaurus. But of course, dinosaurs' bones are safer than real, giant, fierce, alive ones!

Kittysaurus Rex is a funny story that counts with lots of action. Clara and Seke will have to not only face a real dinosaur, but also endure public disbelief, escape from an unscrupulous trillionaire, deal with ghosts, fight angry dogs, overcome a unconscionable brother, drive a travel machine/merry-go-round, and more.

The characters are adorable. You'll find names like Mr. Vulture, Dr. Hyberbole, Dr. Onomatopoeia, Mrs. Techty, and have an idea what to expect from them.

The end left me wanting to read more of this series. I'm glad to know Tri-pizza-tops, the second book in the series, is on its way!

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

You look Yummy!

by Tatsuya Miyanishi

Age range: 4 to 8 years old

When baby Ankylosaurus hatches, he finds himself all alone in a place unknown to him. The first dinosaur he finds is the Tyrannosaurus, whose intentions are not difficult to figure out. But it happens that the baby thinks the Tyrannosaurus is his daddy and shows him so much love, that soon the Tyrannosaurus starts liking him back. He protects him and teaches the baby all he knows. He even eats berries instead of meat!

The baby repeats the whole time he wants to be like his daddy, and at some point the Tyrannosaurus understands this can't work. The baby won't grow to be like him, he is not his real daddy. There's only one right thing to do. The Tyrannosaurus tricks the baby to race him to the top of the mountain where he will find his real family, where he belongs.

The most interesting thing about this book is the ending. It is a happy ending, but a different kind of happy ending we are used to. Be aware that it could seem a little sad at the first moment, but at the same time will bring a great chance to talk about why this is actually a happy ending...

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.