Dino-Valentine's Day (Dino-Holidays)

"Popular dino pals are back, this time full of love.

When February rolls around, the dinos suddenly have hearts in their eyes. They break out their paintbrushes and create boxes to collect valentines, they bake festive cookies and tarts, and the flower shop is bursting with roses. Minmi appears to have a crush on many dinosaur friends. She weaves a heart for Diplo, paints a huge sign for Leso, and makes a large chocolate treat for T. rex, all while her heart goes 'boom-boom-boom' and her stomach flip-flops. As Wheeler sagely points out, however, 'School is no place for romance.' But at night, watch out--there's a Valentine Dance! Will Minmi reveal her true crush? She shyly takes the stage and announces, 'For me, this time of year is fun. / The truth is . . . / I like everyone!' The large, plodding dinosaurs are positively buoyant. They are as jaunty as the bouncy rhymes that propel this love story forward. Close inspection of the illustrations reveals fun dinosaur puns, some of which may go over children's heads (the movie theater is playing When Hadrosaur Met Stegosaurus). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A sprightly Valentine romp to fill out holiday collections.

K-Gr 3--February snow is on the ground, and the dinosaurs in town are all aflutter with Valentine's Day preparations. At school, the dinos are crafting paper Valentine holders and cards. Dino Minmi makes special Valentines for not one, but three dino-crushes! After school, the dinos make Valentine treats and cookies at home. They buy flowers, chocolates, and treats at specialty stores. On Dino-Valentine's Day, the dinos can't wait for the time to arrive to exchange their cards and gifts. The day concludes with a raucous Valentine Dance, where Minmi takes the stage to declare her true Valentine. The story ends abruptly, hinting that the dinos will have fun again at their next party--a Hanukkah celebration. This unsubtle plug for the next "Dino-Holiday" installment may confuse children, as there are numerous holidays that the dinos can celebrate between February and December. Nevertheless, kids will relate to the hype and anticipation of a classroom Valentine's Day party. The digital artwork includes intense pinks, reds, and purples that reinforce the customary Valentine holiday color scheme. As usual for this series, the illustrations are well composed, which draws the viewer's eye around the page to all the dinosaur action that surrounds the bubbly narrative rhyming couplets. VERDICT A roarsome addition to your Valentine and "Dino-Holiday" collection.--Rita Christensen

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