Find-a-Saurus

PreSchool-Grade 1-Disappointed when his mother tells him that there are no dinosaurs left, Marty decides that they're still around but they're just good at hiding. Searching hard, he locates elves, a silly monster, a unicorn, an alien, a thinga-ma-jig, and even a giant in places ranging from the laundry basket to the lily pond. One night, several dinosaurs reveal themselves to readers, hiding behind moonlit trees and reflected in cloud shapes, star constellations, and shadows. Rock formations, blankets, flowers, etc., feature the distinct shapes of Stegosaurus tails or scales or Apatosaurus heads. Vibrant colors pull children right into the art. The paintings on textured paper have a playful, inviting look. At the point where Marty discovers a scaly tail poking out of his toy closet, a double-page illustration with foldout flaps is especially inventive. With the flaps closed, readers join Marty in hoping for a "saurus." Disappointment follows when his "mighty tug" on the tail and the opening of the flaps reveal "only a dragon." The verbal and visual presentations are fun, light, and respectful of a child's way of seeing the world.
Liza Graybill, Worcester Public Library, MA
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