Dad and the Dinosaur

Starred review from December 12, 2016
Even though Nicholas’s father, Big Nick, is “not afraid of anything,” Nicholas is afraid of “the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs lived, and the undersides of manhole covers.” A small plastic dinosaur Nick keeps in his pocket gives him courage, and Santat (Are We There Yet?) leaves no doubt about its power: in times of need—whether striding under a night sky, trying to climb a rock wall, or racing down the soccer field—Nicholas is seen accompanied by a giant, ghostlike tyrannosaurus that provides assistance and confidence. When Nicholas loses his lucky dinosaur, he and his father set out on a nighttime quest to find it: “It’s guy stuff,” Big Nick tells his wife. Choldenko’s (Putting the Monkeys to Bed) poignant fantasy envisions a father who, like a certain tyrannosaur, looms large in his son’s mind. Her knowing, understated storytelling and Santat’s warm, expressive spreads give full credence to the fears that weigh on kids, as well as the presences—both real and imagined—that can help alleviate them. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. Illustrator’s agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House.

April 1, 2017
With Dad on his side, a kid finds it easier to be brave.Little Nick has three fears: the dark outside, bugs, and the undersides of manhole covers. But his dad's not afraid of anything. With his plastic T. Rex in his pocket, Nick can be brave, just like Big Nick. After all, dinos aren't afraid of the dark, bugs, or manhole covers, so Nick can conquer the climbing wall and score against the soccer goalie nicknamed Gorilla. But when the talisman falls out of his sock after said goal, Nick's bravery seems lost as well, and the night is long and dark and scary. When Dad comes to soothe Nick after a bad dream, the tale comes out, and Dad is supercool about the whole thing, driving Nick to the field to search: "It's guy stuff," he tells Nick's mother as they are leaving. With the rediscovery of Nick's dino, his bravery returns as well, only this time, Nick isn't the only one who knows his secret, and he knows deep down that all guys are afraid sometimes. Cleverly, Santat's pencil, watercolor, ink, acrylic, and Photoshop illustrations show the outline of a giant monochromatic dinosaur helping Nick conquer each hurdle, and when the toy is lost, Nick looks smaller without it, his fears visible in the background. Nick and his family seem to be white, though the soccer players are diverse.Dads get it: being brave takes work...and a dinosaur. (Picture book. 5-8)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Nick is afraid of many things: giant bugs, the dark, manhole covers, and what lies beneath them. He longs to be brave like his dad. "His dad was not afraid of anything." Fortunately, Nick has a plastic dinosaur talisman that makes him fearless. When the dinosaur is safely in his pocket or tucked inside his soccer socks, Nick scales rock walls and scores amazing goals. Once the dinosaur is lost, however, Nick is filled with uncertainty and dread: "The night was as black as octopus ink, giant bugs were everywhere." After Nick confesses to his father that the dinosaur is the brave one, not him, he and Dad head out to search one more time. The toy is recovered, and Nick is relieved, especially after being reassured by his dad that "it's okay to be afraid. All guys are now and then." The mixed-media artwork by Caldecott winner Santat is sumptuous and full bleed. The nighttime scenes are particularly evocative, with Nick's imagined fears lurking around the edges. Slyly humorous as well as spooky, they keep the mood from getting too scary. This is a modern story reminiscent of Dumbo and his "magic" feather that readers will enjoy as they explore the ideas of bravery, ability, and what lies inside each of us. VERDICT A winning book sure to attract and delight a wide audience.-Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2016
Preschool-G Newbery Honor Book author Choldenko and Caldecott Medalwinning artist Santat collaborate here to celebrate dads' contributions to parenting. Young Nicholas has many fears: the dark, bushes filled with giant bugs, and the undersides of manhole covers. To keep his fears at bay, he carries a small toy dinosaur with him, usually hidden somewhere in his clothing. When the toy disappears during a soccer game, Nicholas' worries return. Luckily Dad (Big Nick) comprehends the situation and immediately takes his son back to the darkened field to search for the talisman. Choldenko excels in creating believable characters whose empathy and emotional quotients match their other successes. Santat's mixed-media illustrations feature many nighttime scenes rendered in blues, dark greens, and black. Line drawings depicting Nicholas' imagination, mostly concerning the dinosaur, are also successfully integrated into the full-color art. This works as a story about bravery, as well as a paean to dads. Pair with Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny Too (2007), which features another understanding father.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Popular and acclaimed in their own rights, Choldenko and Santat's joint endeavor is guaranteed to draw a crowd.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2017
Nicholas (nicknamed Little Nick ) isn't the bravest of boys, and he carries a talisman to get him through life's hairier moments. The toy dinosaur in his pocket helps Nick with his fears, and, one day at soccer when he faces the goalie everyone calls Gorilla, the dinosaur helps Nick kick the ball right into the net. Unfortunately, the dino gets lost during the game and Nick is too embarrassed to tell his mother about his secret weapon. If you think this is going to be a story about finding courage in oneself, think again: that night Nick confides his problem to his dad, who says, Let's go find him, then, and takes Nick back to the field and helps him search. Success, and a promise not to tell Mom, ensues. It's a refreshing, if blithely sexist ( It's guy stuff ), take on childhood fears, and the boy-friendliness of Choldenko's text is matched by Santat's robust paintings that give the tiny toy dinosaur lifeand heft!as he appears super-dino-style on the scene as needed. And while Dad is a reliable, strong presence, what we don't see is Dad's face (except for his beard), allowing young readers to imagine whatever father figure they need in his features. roger sutton

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)