Dinosaur Vs. the Potty

Publishers Weekly

In his second adventure, Shea's fearsome red protagonist does battle with lemonade stands, sprinklers, juice boxes, pools, and puddles. As in the book's predecessor, the dinosaur always emerges victorious-- "And still doesn't need to use the potty!" But is his victory dance really something else? Shea's bold collages are as in-your-face charming as his energetic hero, whose exuberance and stubborn avoidance of the potty will elicit both empathy and laughter. Ages 2-6. (Sept.)

Children's Literature - Susan Treadway M.Ed.

What should a very busy dinosaur do in the middle of playing games, drinking lemonade, splashing in a sprinkler, drinking lots of juice for lunch, pretending to be a whale, and dancing in rain puddles? How can such a happy dinosaur avoid the inevitable? Children will also ROAR! as the story swiftly moves through dinosaur's numerous activities. Lively illustrations charge action scenes with characteristic flair. Pages display bold facial expressions showing sharp dinosaur teeth even at the most critical moment when he must go potty. He is deep red, too signifying victory over "holding it" no matter what. Even though the title tells readers the main idea of this funny tale, it may or may not surprise readers that dinosaur is indeed very successful. He does not have an accident. He did not create a mess. He is not embarrassed. The potty wins! Up to that critical point, dinosaur kept declaring with pride, "Dinosaur wins!" Youngsters who have won the same battle will celebrate with dinosaur, too. Told in simple childlike fashion from their viewpoint, excitement steadily builds to show how the process works once bodily control is achieved. Discussion about going potty in the midst of a busy day and how adults can help steer youngsters will be facilitated by this story. When accidents happen, try again, do not give up. As the story delightfully relates, celebrate when the potty wins! Reviewer: Susan Treadway, M.Ed.

School Library Journal

PreS-K—Shea's bright, busy, and not-so-ferocious red dinosaur is back from his brush with bedtime in this new high-energy offering. In the style of Dinosaur vs. Bedtime (Hyperion, 2008), the narrative sees many liquid challenges for the grinning creature and he insists after each one that he doesn't need to urinate. Will the three-juice-boxes lunch win? Will the whale watering vanquish the dinosaur? And will he make it to the potty after his close call splashing in rain puddles? The digital illustrations have strong lines and bold colors, perfectly complementing the spare but spot-on text. It begs to be read aloud to a crowd of excited preschoolers who will love to chime in with their own "roars!" A surefire hit both for existing fans and new browsers.—Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL

Kirkus Reviews

Another high-volume trail of victories for the red, toothy, roaring two-or-so-year-old introduced in Dinosaur vs. Bedtime (2008). Stoutly denying any need to use the potty, Dinosaur "conquers" a pitcher of lemonade, a lawn sprinkler, a pool toy, puddles and even a three-juice-box lunch in succession, each time exclaiming, "Dinosaur wins! And doesn't need to use the potty!"—but when that victory dance suddenly turns into a "potty dance," can he hold it long enough to reach the toilet? Children who have felt the pressure themselves won't be able to turn the pages fast enough to see if he makes it...and he does, as the final (discreetly posed) scene and Dinosaur's blissful—and still spike-toothed—smile reveal. "Close one, Dinosaur! Real, real close." Largely printed in display type, the text is as punchy and emphatic as the big, simple illustrations. A shoo-in for storytime fave status and an excellent title to supplement the standard, more earnest potty-training fare. (Picture book. 3-5)