Review - Dino-Thanksgiving

Dino-Thanksgiving
by Lisa Wheeler
illustrated by Barry Gott
Date: 2020
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Lisa Wheeler's bouncy, rhyming text and Barry Gott's energetic illustrations invite readers to celebrate a dino-style Thankgiving!

Follow along as dinos travel over the river and through the woods to join together with family. They enjoy favorite activities, including a corn maze, a televised parade with giant balloon creations, and of course a football game! The dinos share in not one but two feasts--one for the carnivores and another for the veggie-saurs. Join in the fun as the dinos find much to be thankful for on this special holiday!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Last year, some of my Thanksgiving picks were rather off-putting. They tended to focus mostly on the food, and on eating habits that verged on eating disorders. So I was a little hesitant going into this book about dinosaurs having thanksgiving. Was I in for another orgy of gluttony and greed?

Thankfully, the answer is no. Dino-Thanksgiving is a charming book about a world of dinosaurs celebrating one of their favourite holidays. There's food, of course, but there's also fun, family, friends, and football. The chaos of the kids' table is represented well, as is that one guest who just wants to eat. One thing I really liked was that there were two major dinners in this neighbourhood: one for the carnivores and one for the herbivores. But that doesn't stop them from all getting together for games and a bonfire.

The rhyming text is fairly strong. The illustrations are amusing and colourful, with lots of cute touches throughout. And the message of community, family, and thanksgiving comes through loud and clear.

Strangely, a book about hungry dinosaurs is one of the strongest Thanksgiving picture books I've read. It's sure to appeal to dinosaur fans, but those who are looking for strong holiday books might like it, too.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5