Dinosaur vs. School by Bob Shea (review)

Sassy red Dinosaur roars his way to victory over various scholastic challenges, including making new pals, using art supplies, and playing musical instruments. One activity nearly bests him and his new classmates (“Now Dinosaur and his friends will do something they have NEVER done before … CLEAN UP”), but when everyone works together, “Everyone wins!” The familiar pattern (Dinosaur easily overcomes every obstacle, mostly by roaring at it) is starting to wear thin, and while there is something to be said for arming kids with the confidence to take on challenging tasks, it’s a disservice to imply that something like making friends can be achieved so simply. Shea’s art is as bright and cheery as a brand-new box of Crayola crayons, though, and the bold lines, cute critter pals (a cat, fox, horse, pig, and—inexplicably—a cloud make regular appearances on the pages), and humorous touches (Dinosaur covers himself in googly eyes during craft time) will please a young audience. Some of the spreads are crammed to busyness with figures, sound effects, dots, and stars, but the art’s energy may appeal to equally lively children. Grownups will definitely be on board with the “everybody cleans up” ending, and kids who have reveled in Dinosaur’s noisy shenanigans thus far will likely want to roar their way through this title as well.