Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp (I Can Read! Level 1: Beginning Reading)

K-Gr 2--Hoff's classic characters are back. This time, Danny and his friend the dinosaur go to summer camp together. They enjoy typical activities such as races, letter writing, water sports, and marshmallow roasting, and then go to sleep. Character development is limited to demonstrating that the dinosaur has a huge appetite. The full-color cartoon illustrations complement the text and show both African American and white children, but lack continuity. On one page, the dino is large enough to carry all the campers on its back; on another, it is small enough to eat at the table and hold a fork. Children may overlook details like this, but they will definitely miss the novelty and charm of the original Danny and the Dinosaur (HarperCollins, 1958). Not a necessary purchase unless you have a large early-reader collection or many fans of Syd Hoff's work.--Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Copyright 1996 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.