Review by Booklist Review
Tiny T. Rex, the little aqua star of Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug (2019) and his stegosaurus friend Pointy are ready for their first campout in the backyard. They've got their pajamas on (Tiny T.Rex's: footie pajamas with polka dots. Pointy's: dino patterned, specially tailored to cover his spikes), and they're accompanied by Bob, Tiny T. Rex's little red teddy bear. There's one major problem--it's getting dark--but the duo has a plan to ward off all the Crawly-creeps: they arm themselves with snacks and build a fort! When that doesn't help, they make helmets! That doesn't work out either, so it seems like there's only one solution left: maybe they can find a way to create their own night-light outside. Though it's a little more complex than its predecessor, this charmingly taps into a common childhood fear and offers playful solutions. There's not much to be afraid of in Fleck's blocky, glowing illustrations of the two pals, and readers with similar worries will soon find theirs alleviated.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy are very afraid of the dark. This puts a major damper on their plans to have a campout in the backyard. The two are used to night-lights and there aren't any outside. What will they do if the Grumbles and the Nom-bies come out? What if the Crawly-creeps show up? Tiny T. and Pointy are ready to tackle this problem. They start with what they think will be a sturdy hiding fort and strong helmets. But their tent doesn't do a very good job hiding Tiny T. Unfortunately, his helmet, a food strainer, is a little too small for his large head. The duo come to the conclusion that they need more light so they won't be as scared. Christmas lights will take care of that…until they break. Tiny's mother has told him there is always a light shining somewhere. Could she be right? This book captures how many children feel about the dark. It's a great way to open up conversation about this issue and help them deal with it. The text is clear and appealing. Young listeners will enjoy the elaborate plans the friends go through to conquer their problem. VERDICT A great read-aloud for little ones--and not just those who are afraid of the dark.--Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A first backyard campout can be very scaryeven for dinosaurs.As in Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug (2019), Fleck and Stutzman really bring the cuteoutfitting the anxious, square-headed narrator and stegosaurian pal Pointy in fuzzy onesies (Pointy's actually patterned with dinosawww) while Tiny, clutching plush bear Bob ("my special squish") frets about how Grumbles and Nom-bies come out when there are no "nighty-lights." Distrusting Tiny's mom's claim that there are always lights shining somewhere, the campers haul out lamps from the house and festoon the trees around their blanket tent with strings of colored bulbs. Now those Crawly-creeps don't stand a chance. But the relief only lasts until a fuse blows, and a page turn brings sudden, total darkness. What now? Maybe, together, the two can be brave enough to open their eyes and look for lights? They are, and when they do, there is the shining moon and a sky filled with glimmering stars. Tiny's superserious narration carries the adorableness with ease, and young readers will enjoy spotting the details that surround these anthropomorphic dinosaurs. The Grumbles and Nom-bies are revealed to be Tiny's snoring and snacking parents, respectively, which should kindle recognition in many mammalian readers.A reassuring promise for timorous toddlers with special squishes of their own. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
