How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? (How Do Dinosaurs...?)

Yolen and Teague score a winner with this playful Chanukah story brought to life with bright and engaging illustrations. Each page poses a question of how a dinosaur would behave during the eight days of Hanukkah with a cute rhyme like, "Does he peek at the presents stashed under Dad's bed?/ Does he write his own name on each gift card instead?" Each possible mischievous behavior illustrates one aspect of the holiday, including playing dreidel, lighting candles, and sharing gelt. Children will appreciate the larger-than-life dinosaurs and their amusing antics and learn just how to behave during this fun holiday. Up to age 4. (Sept.)

K-Gr 2—In this addition to the popular series, 10 more mischievous dinosaurs are acting up, this time during the eight nights of Hanukkah. With their characteristic childlike antics, these dinos fuss and fidget during the menorah blessings, blow out the Hanukkah candles, write their own name on all the presents, and squeeze the Hanukkah gelt until it melts. Yet by the fifth night, they are singing the prayers, sharing the dreidel, helping with the dishes, and spending time with the grandparents. While there is nothing particularly new about this title, the tried-and-true formula works here, namely a deceptively simple rhyming text that serves as a sturdy foundation for the brilliantly humorous illustrations. As with the earlier books, children will love seeing what sorts of trouble the dinosaurs get into while appreciating the loving familial feeling that comes from celebrating the holiday together.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library