Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The fearsome dinosaur from You Look Yummy! and You Are My Best Friend returns in a third outing, but Tyrannosaurus's belief that "strength means everything" is challenged when old age leaves him vulnerable. After being cared for by some baby triceratops, Tyrannosaurus recognizes the error of his ways, ultimately sacrificing himself to protect them from threatening Giganotosauruses (with plenty of dino violence, this is easily the grimmest book in the series so far). Miyanishi's bold, luridly colored artwork remains attention-grabbing, but long-winded narration ("Violence isn't the answer. There is something more powerful than strength, and more precious too. That is love. Love is stronger than violence") makes the story's message land with a thud. Ages 5-7. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Following You Look Yummy! and You Are My Best Friend, the third in Japanese artist Miyanishi's "Tyrannosaurus" titles translated into English similarly relies on a blend of humor, irony, and unexpected tenderness that is roaring with kid appeal. Tyrannosaurus is strong, as "strength means everything" and "weaklings are worthless." He knows that in order to cultivate and keep the image of the strongest, one sometimes has to be "violent and mean" and, definitely, a bully. So terrify he does, but after age has taken its toll, some young whippersnapper masiakasaurus heckle him and bite his tail. Nursing both his tail and his ego, Tyrannosaurus leaves to be alone, but then he meets a yummy-looking baby triceratops. Rather than getting a delicious snack, he instead finds compassion. The young triceratops brings out a different side of him, a side he didn't know he had. Exploring themes of redemption and caring, the author emphasizes that after a selfless act of bravery, one that shows how love is more powerful than strength, Tyrannosaurus changes his legacy. Tyrannosaurus's possible death is delicately ambiguous, allowing readers to make their own assessment and possibly raising questions. Expressive and comiclike characters are especially kid-friendly, and Miyanishi's distinctive woodcutlike illustrations, which rely on an earthy, warm palette, create a vivid sense of place, one where the prehistoric setting practically extends off the pages. VERDICT With its themes of friendship and love, this refreshing take on the bully story is a strong purchase for most elementary collections.-Danielle Jones, Multnomah County Library, OR © Copyright 2017. 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
Innocent trust turns a domineering bully into a caring protector who makes the ultimate sacrifice in this prehistoric tale of personal growth. Tyrannosaurus delights in terrorizing the other dinosaurs, boasting, "Weaklings are worthless. The strongest rules, and I am the strongest," as he grabs, chomps, and treads on those smaller than he. Eventually age and some agile younger foes catch up with him, leaving him wounded and convinced that life is meaningless. A gaggle of baby triceratops and a case of mistaken identity lead Tyrannosaurus to a critical turning point: he can stick with his old ways and turn them into tasty snacks, or he can be the baby-cuddling, fruit-eating dinosaur they believe he is. Tyrannosaurus' stooped posture and rheumy eyes help blunt his fearsome appearance in the boldly lined and colored illustrations, and the baby triceratops are positively adorable. Miyanishi (You Are My Best Friend, 2016, etc.) has his protagonist face aggressors and lay down his life for these babies, one of whom grows up to share the wisdom of his example with his own children: "Violence isn't the answer. There is something more powerful than strength, and more precious too. That is love." It is refreshing to see male characters behaving in physically and emotionally nurturing ways, and the underlying message that it is never too late to change is valuable indeed. Only the coldblooded will fail to be moved by this poignant story. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
