Review - T. Rex Time Machine: Dinos in De-Nile

T. Rex Time Machine: Dinos in De-Nile
by Jared Chapman
Date: 2019
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 44
Format: e-book
Source: library

Two T. Rexes are whisked away by their time machine to ancient Egypt, where King Tut mistakes them for Sobek, god of the Nile. They are treated to glorious feasts and magnificent tours. But when the aliens land—they're in the middle of constructing the pyramids—and expose the supposed gods as mere dinosaurs, everyone's mad. Will the dinosaurs escape? This laugh-out-loud romp through time and space is perfect for storytime, bedtime, read-alouds, and guaranteed giggles!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Let's just cut right to the chase: this is nowhere near as strong as its predecessor. The joke is weak, the story is juvenile, and I didn't really care what happened to the dinosaurs. The whole thing with King Tut reading comic books and the aliens building the pyramids and busting the god-impersonating dinosaurs with a stack of Polaroids is just silly.

I wouldn't recommend this. Readers who loved the first book might want to check this one out, but I'd recommend just sticking with T. Rex Time Machine if you're looking for a book that'll give you a few giggles.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Review - T. Rex Time Machine

T. Rex Time Machine
by Jared Chapman
Date: 2018
Publisher: Chronicle Books (CA)
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 44
Format: e-book
Source: library

When two hungry dinosaurs jump into a time machine, they're transported to an unbelievable, magical, surreal future: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! On the T. Rexes' madcap voyage into the unknown, they encounter the many wonders of the modern world: Police cars! Phones! Microwaves! They don't know how they'll get home--but why would they want to? Acclaimed author and illustrator Jared Chapman combines two favorite kid topics--time travel and dinosaurs--with bold colors, big jokes, and a hilarious escapade. This raucous, laugh-out-loud adventure will delight the very young and keep older readers giggling long into the future.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

From the author that brought us Vegetables in Underwear and Fruits in Suits comes this silly story about two dinosaurs who find a time machine and go on a delicious adventure.

I'm not quite sure what age group this is aimed at, as some of the jokes will rely on kids' knowledge of things like voice-activated smartphones and microwave ovens. I have a feeling that, though older kids will probably understand more of this book, they might think it's kind of silly. And it is... but in a good way. Watching the dinosaurs gleefully realize that there's food around every corner (and a "sun in a box" that cooks that food in seconds!) reminds us about the things we take for granted, but it doesn't hit the reader over the head with a preachy message.

The illustrations are simple. Maybe a little too simple for my taste. But they still manage to capture the dinosaurs' feelings as they navigate their "future" of bountiful food choices. The ending is a fun twist. Overall, this is a fairly strong picture book, and though I'm not in love with the illustrations, they work well with the story.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5

Review - Fruits in Suits

Fruits in Suits
by Jared Chapman
Date: 2017
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Have you ever seen a banana in a bikini? Or a tangerine in trunks? What about grapes in goggles? In this uproarious follow-up to Vegetables in Underwear, kids will learn that there are many kinds of suits—including suits for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and scuba diving. But can you wear a business suit to the beach? Fruits in Suits has the same irreverent silliness as Vegetables in Underwear and shows just how much fun swimsuits can be—and how important it is to hold on to them when you jump into the water!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I've already read Vegetables in Underwear, so when I saw the sequel at the library, I had to check it out. Fruits in Suits is just as silly as the other book, although I did enjoy this one a little bit more. The idea of fruits needing bathing suits is pretty amusing. I especially liked the grapefruit, who was wearing an entirely different type of "suit".

This is a nice companion to Vegetables in Underwear. If you liked the silliness of that one, you'll probably enjoy this one, too.

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

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Vegetables in Underwear

Vegetables in Underwear
by Jared Chapman
Date: 2015
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A bunch of friendly vegetables wear colorful underwear of all varieties—big, small, clean, dirty, serious, and funny—demonstrating for young ones the silliness and necessity of this item of clothing. The unexpectedness of vegetables in their unmentionables is enough to draw giggles, but the pride with which the “big kid” attire is flaunted in front of the baby carrots in diapers will tickle readers of all ages. With rhyming text that begs to be chanted aloud and art that looks good enough to eat, this vibrant story will encourage preschoolers to celebrate having left those diapers behind!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is one of those books where you get exactly what the title says. The text is pretty sparse, but the illustrations are amusing. The potato showing his buttcrack is priceless.

It's not earth-shattering in its profundity, and it probably won't teach anyone anything (unless, for some reason, you need to be told to put clothes on over top of your underwear). As a kid, I probably would've looked at this once and then moved on to something more interesting... but I'm sure there are probably kids out there for whom this could become a favourite.

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

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5