Dino-Christmas

September 1, 2018
A town filled with colorful dinosaur characters gets ready for a large-scale Christmas celebration.The latest dino-book from this author-illustrator pair starts with the arrival of winter, with preparations underway for Dino-Christmastime. Bird's-eye views show lots of riotous action, including snowball fights, ice skating, and hockey. Kids who can recite the names of every dinosaur will love finding their favorites among the smiling players as they frolic through wintertime activities: "Raptor races. Stego chases. / See the smiles on happy faces. / Pachy pummels! Compy flings! / T. rex tries snow-angel wings." Simple, rhyming text in trochaic tetrameter propels the fast-paced narrative, although some couplets trip off the tongue more easily than others. Bright, lively illustrations fill the pages with lots of humorous details as the Dino-Christmas Parade gets underway--and a little out of hand thanks to the naughty Ptero twins, who throw snowballs at T. rex. With the arrival of the "main attraction--Santa Claws!"--the twins get their comeuppance. The straightforward plot takes a back seat to the hilarious antics of the dinos romping through the town and across the pages. The last spread hints at the next book to come.This will delight dino-loving readers eager for the arrival of Christmas. (Picture book. 4-7)

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September 24, 2018
“Dino-Christmastime is here,” and the dinos are taking part in all sorts of seasonal activities. They play in the snow, ice skate, and hang decorations around their city. Wheeler writes in cheery, rhyming couplets that introduce the dinosaurs by species: “Allosaurus makes each wreath./ She gently hangs them with her teeth./ Troodon’s at First and Main./ He paints a giant candy cane.” Gott’s bright digital depictions of the rowdy dinosaurs are already great fun; seeing them crunch down on Christmas cookies, sing carols, and parade in the streets ups the ante. A last spread makes a broad hint at the next holiday to come: “Soon these guys will reconvene.../ all dressed for Dino-Halloween!” Ages 5–9.