Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-T. Rex never buys his mother a Mother's Day present. Instead, he likes to do something for her. Mama tries to head him off this year by saying that all she wants is a hug, but he is determined to do something special for her. Trying to outdo his previous presents of a disastrous wallpapering job and redecorating the living room with ferns from the swamp, T. Rex spies Mama's red convertible and decides to give it a makeover. He and his dinosaur buddies hammer, paste, and paint until the car looks completely different. Mama's shocked face softens into a smile when her son gives her a big hug and she remembers that, thankfully, Mother's Day comes only once a year. Davis's jaunty cartoon illustrations bring these less-than-extinct dinosaurs alive. This fun read-aloud will tickle young children as they prepare for Mother's Day themselves.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In lieu of candy or flowers, T. Rex wants to do something special for his mom on Mother's Day. Remembering past Mother's Day messes, she insists that a great big hug is all she really wants. Readers will appreciate the generous spirit behind each of T. Rex's less-than-useful gifts. Goofy cartoon illustrations add the extra humor that T. Rex's fans love. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
First, give young T. Rex credit: He'd rather do something for Mama Rex on Mother's Day than simply go drop some dinosaur dollars on a gift. Then again, his gestures have a way of backfiring. His attempt at decorating the living room turned it into a swamp (which might have been cool if you were a brontosaurus, but not a T. rex), and wallpapering the dining room was not a great success, either, especially when he papered over the windows as well as his aunt. Memories of these well-intentioned fiascos have Mama Rex quivering, "A Mother's Day hug would make me very happy, dear!" But T. Rex wants to do more, and another modest disaster unfolds when he decides to decorate her car. Gentle good humor and kindliness rolls through these pages, and then Davis applies his exaggerated angles and hot colors with toothy grins for all. Though the story has a foregone conclusion, Grambling adds a challenging dollop here and there for readers. The challenge for adults will be to keep their antics from becoming inspirational. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
