Dino-Thanksgiving

September 21, 2020
In the latest installment of the Dino-Holidays series, a jaunty rhyme scheme (“Out back, little cousins play:/ Ping-pong, tag, and lawn croquet./ Raptor helps them fly a kite./ They’re building up an appetite!”) and bright digital
illustrations depict dinosaurs coming together in chaotic community to observe Thanksgiving. The dinos, it turns out, celebrate much the same way humans do: visiting family; watching the annual Thanksgiving parade and football games; cooking and eating a variety of dishes, including “turkey, stuffing, pie, and more”; and gathering around a bonfire with their community. Colorful typography emphasizes the names of dinosaurs based on their species (Compy, Tricera, Pteros, etc.), though the full names of species are never clarified. While the holiday’s grim origins are largely omitted, aside from a parade balloon wearing a Puritan’s hat, the mention of football team “the Redscales” strikes a problematic note. Even so, this glimpse of prehistoric reptiles giving thanks should entertain young dinosaur fans. Ages 5–9.

September 1, 2020
Preschool-G It's time to celebrate another holiday with the dinosaurs, and this time they're filled with Thanksgiving cheer. Preparations for the big day are underway: there are groceries to procure, flights to catch, and turkeys to brine (don't worry, the triceratops is making veggie options, too). The dinos are also excited to take in a football game, marvel at parades, and meander through corn mazes. When, at long last, it's time to feast on the carefully curated dinner, they all give thanks for food and family. Wheeler's silly, rhyming text has a pleasing bounce, impressively managing to rhyme tricky dinosaur names with familiar traditions. Gott's cheerful digital illustrations paint a cozy world of colorful dinosaurs in an amusingly human setting, from detailed grocery stores to airports bustling with prehistoric travelers. Young readers will recognize many of the traditions from their own celebrations, and if they're disappointed to see the festivities end, never fear: on the last page, dinosaurs look forward to decorating Easter eggs. A delightful holiday read-aloud for dinosaur devotees.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)