Dino-Swimming
(Dino-Sports)

K-Gr 2--It's the Land Sharks (carnivores) versus the Algae Eaters (herbivores) in the swim meet at the center of this latest addition to the series. As in the previous books, readers will find an accurate depiction of the sport, even if license is taken with the participants. The dinosaurs compete in events from medley and freestyle to a diving competition, culminating in a relay that the Algae Eaters come together to win, even if their opponents win the meet. The dinosaurs behave just like kids, pouting at times, making false starts, and displaying nerves. Though sometimes dinosaurs' names are shortened to fit the scheme of the rhyming text (for example, "Ankylo's rhythms are slow and steady"), learning about dinosaurs is not really the point. VERDICT Bright illustrations full of movement and a bouncy rhyming text convey the basics of a swim meet in a fun way.--Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD