Review by Booklist Review
In a natural follow-up to How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad? (2013), Yolen and Teague show young children how to make up with their friends. Consistent with other entries in the How Do Dinosaurs series, the text in the first half of the book consists of questions (Does he kick his friend's bike? / Does he egg his friend's door?). Midway through comes the answer, a definitive NO. The sentences that follow take on a polite tone: He brings to the school a toy dragon and knight, / with a card that says, Really, I don't want to fight.' Similarly, in the first half's rowdy illustrations, the big, toothy dinos appear bold, brash, and conniving, while later the same ones are depicted as polite, pleasantly surprised, and even bashful. Combining an appealing text with lively, accomplished paintings of dinosaurs acting up in spectacular ways, this large-format picture book is definitely fun. It's also unusual in that it offers tips for repairing a friendship, a useful skill at any age.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-The latest addition to the series does not disappoint with this friendship-based tale. Like Yolen's other "How Do Dinosaurs..." series titles, this picture book features comical rhyming, dinosaur identification, and a great moral lesson. The book starts by listing naughty deeds a dinosaur might commit, such as "Does he tear up a book that his friend let him take? Does he throw his friend's lunch box straight into the lake?" Halfway through the book, the line "No.a dinosaur doesn't. He won't even try." sets the tone for the remainder of the picture book. By listing good deeds a dinosaur does for his friends, even if they're fighting, Yolen provides a great takeaway message for preschoolers everywhere. Teague's oversize and colorful illustrations are a delight as always, and the dinosaur's facial expressions are a clear winner in this latest title. VERDICT Perfect for storytimes and one-on-one reading.-Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI © Copyright 2016. 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 Kirkus Book Review
The 10th dinosaur outing for Yolen and Teague playfully addresses the minefield of school friendships, as always cleverly subbing in outsized dinosaur antics for the gigantic feelings in every little kid's body. Beginning with the question, "How does a dinosaur keep his best friend / when a terrible fight just might signal the end?" more than half the book is made up of dinosaurs behaving badly (and comically). They egg doors, throw lunchboxes into lakes, lie to teachers, and even "write on the blackboard a very bad name" ("DILONG IS STUPID": truly not nice). The scenes of hostility are writ large in two-page spreads, each labeled dinosaur (Leptoceratops, Masiakasaurus, etc.) breathing again in skillfully textured detail and with humorously angry or hurt expressions. Human kids and teachers look on, mortified that dinosaurs could behave so...well, human. The resolution, of course, occurs when the dinosaurs instead put their best claws forward, exchanging notes of apology, sharing toys, and making special cookie deliveries. Even giant beasts who get into fights learn, "There is always a way to make everything right." If that isn't enough to convey the message, the endpapers feature dinosaur duos having the best time since prehistoric days as they ride bikes, fly kites, or share pizza, among other activities. If the formula is pat by now, it's still effective; who can resist when dinosaur buddies share a sincere, well-earned hug? (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
