Dinosaurs Can't Roar

December 1, 2019
Dino facts exposed--in rhyme! Beason and Epelbaum introduce readers to a black woman paleontologist and her friend Rex, a cartoon T. Rex, who work to dispel common and historical myths about dinosaurs. As the rhyming lecture unfolds, Rex--and, later, a small herd of dino friends--morphs to mirror the changes described, which reflect advances in scientific thought. Overall, Beason's concept is amusing and her rhyming quartets (aabb) flow smoothly. She ends the story by letting readers know that our current theories about the thunder lizards are still evolving: "Roaring or not, let's give dinos three cheers! / They ruled on this planet for millions of years. / We still love them all--Brontosaurus to Rex! / Who knows what we'll learn about dinosaurs next?" The weak spot in the story may be the visual emendations seen in Rex and the other dinosaurs: As the characters are illustrated in a rounded, friendly, cartoon style, some of the changes (such as Rex's posture or Triceratops' crest) depicted are unsatisfyingly subtle. The backmatter, however, includes enough information to help caregivers explain the changes. This correction is somewhat undercut by anatomically inaccurate accompanying line drawings of Brontosaurus and Stegosaurus. Given the subject matter, the book may be a welcome snack at storytime, but it won't be top of the food chain. Worthy of a growl but not a roar. (Informational picture book. 6-8)

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December 1, 2019
Grades K-2 It's easy to forget that common scientific theories can change over time, and what better way to explore that concept than through dinosaurs? Together, Rex?a plump, sweater-clad tyrannosaurus?and a knowledgeable, dark-skinned female paleontologist navigate the world of outdated theories, humorously presenting the latest findings with the occasional assist from various dinosaur friends. The topics range from the silly (did stegosaurus have a second brain in its butt?) to the more practical (how did tyrannosaurus walk?). Rhyming couplets make for a fun read-aloud and an engaging way to present science. Epelbaum's flashy cartoon illustrations fit the lighthearted mood while still conveying the gist of the theories, and it's amusing to watch the dinosaurs adjust to their updated scientific realities in real time. Readers can find more information in the back matter, and while a bibliography offers further sources, this text could have benefited from a few more details. Overall, it's a wonderfully entertaining reminder to young readers that science is ever evolving and that there's always more to learn.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)